The last days of summer are a golden time. Going for a drive to the beach or down a long country road can inspire a certain looseness and relaxation. Passengers may be tempted to rest their feet on the dashboard, or even open a window and prop their feet out in the open air. While this posture would seem to be the picture of summer nonchalance, in fact, it’s a highly dangerous posture that could lead to severe injuries or even death.
The problem here is airbags. Airbags are designed to protect drivers and passengers who are sitting upright with their feet on the floor. An airbag will not slow down and wait for you to move your legs in the event of an accident. It will deploy with all the speed and force with which it was designed. If your legs are in the way, what follows isn’t pretty.
Those unlucky enough to be on the wrong side of a deployed airbag after having propped their feet on the dashboard can suffer a number of traumatic injuries, including:
- Leg fractures
- Hip fractures
- Facial fractures
- Brain injury
Even relatively minor accidents can sometimes trigger an airbag to deploy. An accident that leaves only minor scratches on your car shouldn’t put you in traction. But for people who are unaware of why riding with their legs up is dangerous, it could. Passengers can help prevent this fate by putting their feet on the floor and sitting up straight.
Even the most conscientious driver or passenger can’t prevent every potential accident, however. Whatever the cause of an accident, and whoever was to blame, it’s important to consult a personal injury attorney who can help secure the necessary compensation for recovery.