Earlier this month, a pregnant woman was seriously injured and her unborn baby was killed in a tragic car accident in Tucson.
According to a spokesman for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, the 27-year-old woman, who was “late in her pregnancy,” was struck by a vehicle while traveling south on East Lumber Street.
Apparently, the accident was caused when a pickup truck traveling north on East Lumber Street collided with a car that was making a left turn onto East Lumber. The pickup then collided with the pregnant woman’s vehicle head-on.
The woman had to be extracted from her vehicle and was immediately flow to a trauma center for treatment of her life-threatening injuries. Upon arrival at the trauma center, it was determined that her unborn child tragically did not survive the crash.
Even though sheriff’s spokesperson said that alcohol and speed did not seem to be factors in the crash, it is still very possible that some type of negligence was responsible for the accident. An investigation will need to take place to determine exactly what caused the tragic collision.
Depending on the outcome of an investigation, it is possible that a personal injury lawsuit could be filed on behalf of the injured woman and her unborn baby. Arizona is one of several states that recognize wrongful death claims on behalf of unborn children who are considered “viable fetuses.”
A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit can never take away the physical or emotional pain caused by a serious car accident. But it can help to financially support those who suffered as they try to get back on their feet. The lawsuits also hold negligent parties responsible for their actions.
Source: Arizona Daily Star, “Pregnant woman injured, baby dies in Tucson car crash,” Kimberly Matas, Feb. 08, 2014