Could Wearing Certain Shoes Increase the Risk of a Car Accident? 5 Kinds of Dangerous Footwear
While some may overlook them, shoes are often a vital piece of one’s wardrobe.
Sneakerheads shell out thousands of dollars for Nike shoes, while luxury brands like Louboutin (and Cardi B lyrics) have made red bottoms a mainstream staple.
While shoes can help us look good, and even feel good, sometimes they can affect our driving ability.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that almost 50 accidents per day are caused by errors involving a pedal. While there is no direct report of certain shoes that affect the pedal, it’s hard to deny a potential link between the two.
Common types of shoes that may increase the risk of a car accident include:
Flip flops/slides – popular summer and beach wear, flip flops or slides can easily slip off of your foot or get caught between your foot and the pedal.
High heels – the literal heel of the shoe may be hard to put on the pedal. Furthermore, some drivers in heels don’t actually rest their foot on the pedal.
Slippers – these shoes, usually worn around the house, usually don’t have enough traction when putting it on the pedal. They also can slip off similar to flip flops.
Certain boots – specifically cowboy boots, these shoes can have a harder heel to control on the pedal.
Wedges – the bulkier heels of wedges might imbalance your foot, and you may not realize pressure on the pedal from the lopsidedness of the shoe.
If wearing these shoes can cause an issue, what shoes should you wear instead?
For starters, some may choose to drive barefoot. This is not a suggested method of footwear, or lack thereof.
First, it should be noted that it is not illegal to drive in California barefoot.
With that said, it is not safe to do so. Feet may be wet, or as disgusting as it sounds, get sweaty, which leads the foot to slip on the pedal.
Driving barefoot can also injure you, as your foot becomes susceptible to blisters, cuts, scrapes, ankle twists, and more.
If you must wear boots or heels, it’s often best to drive with another shoe on, and then change into the necessary footwear.
Comfortable sneakers like tennis shoes work great for getting behind the wheel. Not only do they feel good on your feet, but they provide better support for switching between pedals and applying pressure to the accelerator or brake.
When getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, it’s important to put your best foot forward. Just because you are taking your footwear into account when driving does not mean other drivers are doing the same.
Drivers have a duty of care to keep other drivers safe on the road. Driving with inappropriate shoes, or no shoes at all, is hazardous to drivers and their counterparts.
If you were injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. If you are unsure, you can always contact the Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at C&B Law Group.
Our Burbank car accident attorneys are prepared to help you navigate the process following an injury in a crash.
It’s not a rarity for the other party’s insurance company to reject your claims. They aren’t afraid to step on toes to prevent you from receiving maximum compensation following an injury.
At C&B Law Group, our versatile Southern California car crash lawyers will work on your side to assist you with insurance or other issues. We have decades of combined experience helping victims recover compensation for their injuries.
Frequent injuries affiliated with car accidents include:
- Neck injuries such as whiplash
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head injuries including concussions
- Cuts or lacerations
- Back injuries including chronic back pain
- Internal bleeding
- Other injuries to your upper body
- Punctured or damaged organs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Other injuries to your lower body
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
You deserve support and compensation for damages caused by the negligence of another driver.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident, reach out to the team of car accident attorneys in Los Angeles at C&B Law Group about how to receive your free consultation.
