Dislocated hips, broken limbs, and facial disfigurement are just some of the consequences of putting your feet on the dashboard of a moving motor vehicle. While none of these injuries will occur unless you get in a collision, accidents are unexpected by their very nature.
YOU’RE NOT SUPERMAN
Many people rest their feet comfortably on the dash and argue with concerned friends and family members that they will put their feet down in time in the event of an accident. One woman used to tell her husband the same thing – until she got into a car crash and broke her nose, ankle, femur, and arm. In a statement to CBS News, the woman said:
“Basically my whole right side was broken, and it’s simply because of my ignorance. I’m not Superman. I couldn’t put my foot down in time.”
While the other passengers of the vehicle walked away from the accident, the woman could not walk for over a month and still faces consequences from the collision. Still, her crash could have been worse. In a viral Facebook post, the Chattanooga Fire Department explained:
“Airbags deploy between 100 and 220 MPH. If you ride with your feet on the dash and you’re involved in an accident, the airbag may send your knees through your eye sockets.”
LUCKY TO BE ALIVE
When a young woman’s boyfriend rear-ended a tractor-trailer, he ended up with 200 stitches, but she broke her nose, left eye socket, and cheekbone. The woman, who had her feet on the dash, also dislocated her jaw, lost her spleen, and shattered both feet.
The crash permanently affected the woman’s hearing and vision, as well. She also suffered a debilitating brain bleed that requires her to live with her mother, who says, frankly that her daughter’s survival is “a miracle.”
LEFT WITHOUT A FOREHEAD
Yet another woman was left with no forehead after an accident in which she had her feet on the dashboard. When the airbag deployed, her feet were forced back into her face, and she broke “nearly every bone in [her] face.” The 22-year-old also suffered a Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) brain leak, lost 2 teeth, and went through extensive surgery. As an additional complication, the bone in her forehead became infected and had to be removed. She was later outfitted with a ceramic forehead but acknowledges that her problems are far from over.
“There seems to be a different problem every year… I think in total I’ve had 16 procedures and surgeries.”
Due to her traumatic experience, the woman spends time warning others about the dangers of riding with their feet on the dashboard.
A PICTURE IS WORTH 1,000 WORDS
A horrifying X-ray from a police sergeant in Wales shows passengers exactly why they shouldn’t put their feet on the dash. The image shows one broken hip and another that is completely dislocated. According to the sergeant, the woman’s hips were completely crushed when she was involved in a crash with her feet propped up. The sergeant’s advice?
“Here is an X-ray of horrific injuries sustained to the front seat passenger who had their feet on the dashboard at the time of a collision. If you see your passenger doing it stop driving and show them this.”
ARE VICTIMS AT FAULT?
While you may not be at fault for the car accident that caused your injuries, riding with your feet on the dashboard could be construed as careless or negligent in a court of law. That being said, no one ever expects an accident to happen, and the driver who harmed you should still be held accountable.
GET HELP WITH YOUR CASE TODAY
Remember to avoid riding with your feet on the dash going forwardand to contact Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC if you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Our attorneys are available at 918-492-7674, offer free consultations and are here for you whenever you need us.