Personal Injury and Women’s Rights in North Carolina: Taking a Closer Look at Car Accident Law

 

       

According to the New York Times, female drivers are more likely to suffer serious injuries in car crashes than male drivers. A study performed by the University of Virginia found that female drivers were 47 percent more likely to suffer serious injuries while behind the wheel.

            Female drivers were found to have weaker neck strength, putting them more at risk of neck, back, and whiplash injuries. They tended to be shorter than male drivers, which led to different positioning in restraints. The study found that car safety devices are designed with male users in mind. When height and weight play a role in the effectiveness of safety devices, women are more likely to face greater consequences.

            So, what can women do to keep themselves safe while driving? Sitting upright, adjusting posture, and positioning the driver’s seat as far away from the steering wheel as possible can help. According to Safe Ride For Kids, car accident injuries are the leading cause of harm to pregnant women. Even a small collision can cause serious injuries to an unborn child. Women are more likely to experience placenta abruption during an accident. The placenta becomes detached from the uterine wall, cutting off blood flow to the unborn child. This can be a life-threatening medical condition for both mother and child. Positioning of the lap belt in cars can lead to injuries. Unfortunately, not all pregnant women are warned about the risks. To make matters worse, injuries are sometimes hard to detect until they become life-threatening.

            Women are advised to limit their driving during pregnancy. But if you’re pregnant and must drive, make sure to limit distractions, sit as far away from the steering wheel as you can, and make sure to position your safety belt under your abdomen and across your thighs. The lower, the better. If you do get into an accident, always go to the hospital and ask to have your baby’s heartbeat checked. Even a minor accident can affect your unborn child.

            If you’ve been hurt in a car crash in North Carolina, the law offers women important personal injury protections. You have the right to receive recovery for injuries you sustain due to another driver’s negligence. If you or your unborn child was hurt in an accident, contact  J. Boyce Garland Jr. Attorney at Law . 

A personal injury lawyer in Gastonia like J. Boyce Garland has years of experience fighting for those that have been hurt or injured as a result of someone else's negligence. Visit his website at www.jboyceattorney.com.