When you get into a car, your primary focus is likely safety—buckling your seatbelt, ensuring children are secured and following traffic laws. However, one seemingly harmless habit can lead to catastrophic consequences in the event of a car accident: riding with your feet on the dashboard. While it might feel comfortable or even seem inconsequential, this position is incredibly dangerous and can turn a minor accident into a life-changing tragedy.
At Mory & Colliersmith, PLLC, we’ve handled personal injury cases where such preventable injuries led to long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Here’s what you need to know about the risks of riding with feet on the dashboard and how we can help if you’ve been injured.
Why Is This Position So Dangerous?
The dashboard of a car houses key safety features like airbags, which are designed to deploy at incredible speeds (often up to 200 mph) to protect passengers during a collision. When a passenger’s feet are on the dashboard during a car wreck, the force of the airbag deployment can cause severe injuries, including:
• Broken Bones: The force of the airbag can slam the legs into the passenger’s face, chest, or windshield, leading to fractures in the femur, hips, pelvis, or even the skull.
• Dislocations: Knees and hips are particularly vulnerable in this position, often leading to painful and complex dislocations that require surgery.
• Severe Lacerations: Shattered glass and dashboard debris can lead to deep cuts and permanent scarring.
• Internal Injuries: The unnatural posture of having feet on the dashboard can compress internal organs upon impact, causing life-threatening injuries.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): The force of the collision may cause the head to collide with the knees, resulting in concussions or TBIs.
Real-Life Case Examples
1. The Atlanta Case: In 2017, an Atlanta woman sustained life-altering injuries when her boyfriend’s car was involved in a minor collision. She had her feet propped up on the dashboard when the airbag deployed. The force pushed her knees into her face, shattering her nose, femur, and arm. She underwent multiple surgeries and faced years of recovery.
2. The Texas Teen Incident: A 19-year-old in Texas was a passenger in a car accident where she had her feet on the dashboard. The impact caused her knees to slam into her head, resulting in facial fractures, a broken hip, and traumatic brain injuries. This case became a grim reminder of how quickly a comfortable position can become a life-threatening mistake.
3. A Kentucky Example: Our own experience handling a case involved a passenger with their legs extended onto the dashboard who suffered permanent disability after a collision. They required extensive surgeries to address shattered kneecaps and hip displacement, leading to substantial medical expenses and long-term physical therapy.
Legal Implications and Compensation
If you’ve been involved in a car wreck while riding with your feet on the dashboard, you may face unique challenges when pursuing a personal injury claim. Insurance companies often argue that passengers with their feet on the dashboard share partial fault for their injuries because of their unsafe position. However, an experienced personal injury attorney can counter this argument by proving:
• Negligence of the Other Driver: Establishing that the accident itself was caused by the negligence of another driver can shift liability away from the injured passenger.
• Lack of Awareness: Many passengers are unaware of the risks associated with placing their feet on the dashboard, which could reduce comparative fault.
• Failure to Warn: In some cases, the vehicle manufacturer or driver may have failed to warn passengers of the dangers of riding in this position.
At Mory & Colliersmith, PLLC, we are dedicated to maximizing compensation for our clients, including coverage for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term rehabilitation needs.
What to Do After an Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car wreck while riding with feet on the dashboard, here are critical steps to protect your legal rights:
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Documenting your injuries is essential for your health and any future legal claims.
2. Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, the car’s interior, and your injuries, if possible.
3. Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies Alone: Insurance adjusters may attempt to downplay your injuries or blame you for the accident.
4. Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney: At Mory & Colliersmith, PLLC, we specialize in helping accident victims navigate the complexities of personal injury claims.
Preventing These Injuries
To prevent these types of injuries, educate yourself and others about the dangers of improper seating positions in a vehicle. Always sit upright with your feet flat on the floor, wear a seatbelt correctly, and ensure all passengers do the same. Even during long road trips, resist the temptation to prop your feet up on the dashboard—it’s not worth the risk.
How We Can Help
If you’ve been injured in an accident, whether as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, Mory & Colliersmith, PLLC, is here to help. We understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with the aftermath of an accident, especially when injuries are severe. Our team is committed to treating every client like family and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (502) 212-4333 or visit morycolliersmith.com for a free consultation.
Your safety matters. Let us help you get back on your feet—literally.