When you’re pregnant, you have a lot of things on your mind. Are you eating the right things for your baby? Are you getting the vitamins you need? Should you avoid flying on planes or relaxing in hot tubs?
A new report from ABC News indicates that you may need to add “driving a car” to the list of questionable activities.
The article cites a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, which found that the half a million women who gave birth between 2006 and 2011 were 42 percent more likely to be in a car accident during their pregnancy as opposed to when they were not expecting.
The results show that almost one out of every fifty women will be involved in a car accident while pregnant.
Why the heightened risk for a car accident? The answer is not exactly clear, but a mix of stress and other pregnancy symptoms (nausea, fatigue, back pain, sleeplessness, etc.) are possible factors suggested by the study.
What does this mean for you if you’re pregnant? Doctors weighing in on the study don’t necessarily recommend refraining from driving altogether. Instead, they simply recommend returning to the basics of road safety when getting behind the wheel. The everyday routine of driving you typically get away with may not be as easy when you’re pregnant.
If you are pregnant and have been injured in a car accident, however, do not simply assume it was your fault. Other drivers consistently make mistakes for a variety of reasons—from distracted driving to negligent action. Contact an experienced Brooklyn, New York car accident injury attorney today for the help you need.