No matter how many safety features a vehicle has, it may not be safe if you are sitting in certain ways or taking certain actions. Keep reading to learn how you can stay safer in your vehicle. If you are involved in a car accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation as soon as possible.
Putting Your Feet on the Dashboard Can Be Dangerous
Passengers (and some drivers) commonly stretch out their legs if they are on the road for hours at a time. This may be momentarily comfortable but the bad news is that propping your legs or feet up can be dangerous if you are in an accident. Why? Because if the airbag deploys, your legs and feet can be seriously injured by the power of the airbag.
Having Your Arms and Legs Outside of the Vehicle is Less Fun in an Accident
You may want to hang your arm out your window, reach out of the sun roof, or otherwise have part of your body outside of the vehicle. It may sound fun but you could end up striking another vehicle. If you are in an accident, your limbs could be seriously damaged by the window opening or sun roof opening. Having any part of your body outside of your car is dangerous and not a wise idea.
Poor Headrest Placement is a Serious Danger
You should always have the top of the headrest level with the top of your head. If it is too low, then you could be in danger if you are hit from behind. Remember that when you are involved in a collision, the body will move toward the impact. This means that if you are hit from behind, your neck will snap back. It is also wise to keep your head as close to the headrest as possible to lower the risk of neck injury.
Sitting Too Close to the Steering Wheel Can Hurt
One important fact to keep in mind is that the average airbag deploys at around 200 miles per hour. Think about that force hitting you right in the chest if you are sitting too close to it. Ideally, you would be sitting far enough away (the recommended zone is ten inches) so that the airbag would have already deployed before you hit it.
Skipping Seatbelts is Dangerous – Even in the Backseat
Most people are willing to wear their seatbelts in the front seat but too many believe that they don’t need to do so if they are in the backseat. It is true that the law does not require it, but remember that if you are in an accident in the backseat, you could be thrown from the vehicle. This is one of the most dangerous consequences of an accident – and one of the best ways to increase your chance of fatality.
If you have been in an accident that was the fault of another party, and you have been injured, then we urge you to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.