3 Reasons the Way You Sit Could Increase Your Risk of Injury in a Car Accident
The way you sit could drastically change your chances of getting injured during a car accident.
The way you sit can say a lot about your emotions. People who sit with their ankles crossed are said to be confident and ambitious, while those who cross their legs are creative and artistic.
The way you sit in a car may not reveal many personality traits, but it can alter the effects of a car accident, and usually for worse.
While there isn’t a true definition of correctly sitting in a car, there are ways you sit in a vehicle to avoid.
Putting your feet on the dashboard – long trips in a car, especially when traveling on a road trip, can make passengers uncomfortable. It’s not rare to look at the car next to you and see the passenger with their feet resting on the dash.
While the sun on your feet may feel good, it’s extremely dangerous.
Imagine a car crash situation. It’s possible the passenger’s feet and legs smash through the windshield, or even worse, the impact from the other vehicle could crush the person’s feet.
If someone needs to stretch, it’s best to pull over at a rest stop or gas station.
Putting your arms and hands out the window – cruising along an empty freeway, passengers often like to stick their hands or arms out the window, as if to catch the blowing air. However, putting part of the body outside can result in serious injuries.
Reminiscent of a dog sticking their head out the window, hands and other body parts can get hit by flying debris. In the event of a car crash, a passenger’s hands or arms risk a greater chance of getting trapped in the other vehicle.
Broken bones, permanent scarring, or even loss of limbs become a serious possibility.
Sitting too close to the steering wheel – While the previously mentioned dangerous ways of sitting revolve around passengers, the way a driver sits could be damaging as well.
If a driver sits too close to the steering wheel, they run the risk of major chest injuries due to the impact of a car. This could mean broken ribs, punctured lungs, or other serious contusions.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver’s should sit 12 inches away from the steering wheel for best safety.
The way you sit in a car can be the difference between serious injury and safety following a car accident. Victims in car crashes can suffer from catastrophic injuries, including:
- Whiplash or other neck injuries
- A concussion after banging your head
- Back pain or other serious back injuries
- Chest pain or injuries like a collapsed lung
- Broken or fractured ribs
- Internal injuries like bleeding or damage to critical organs
- Leg, foot or ankle injuries, like broken bones
- Arm, wrist or hand injuries, such as a fractured bone
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
There are a number of ways car accidents can happen, including:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Drunk driving
- Inclement weather
- Speeding
- Failure to halt at stop signs
- Ignoring traffic lights
At C&B Law Group, our team of personal injury attorneys service clients across Southern California.
A car accident can be devastating to the victims. If the way you sit caused serious injury, you may be entitled to compensation.
Some of the damages that we can help recover after an accident:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Loss of wages
- Treatment for mental health
- Pain and suffering
If you are in need of help following a serious car accident injury from the way you sit, let the Los Angeles attorneys at C&B Law Group assist you along the path to recovery. We want to help you recover the maximum compensation possible.
While comfort in a car is important, make sure the way you sit doesn’t increase your chances of a serious injury. In the event you are injured in a crash from the way you sit, look no further.
We work on a contingency basis, so we won’t charge you with any attorney fees until a settlement for your case is reached. We’ve successfully settled over 99 percent of our personal injury cases.
Reach out to C&B Law Group today to learn more about a free consultation.
