How can sitting incorrectly increase the chance of car injuries?

Here are some of the ways you could be sitting incorrectly in your vehicle, all while increasing your risk of more serious injury in the event of an accident:

1. Placing your feet on the board

It’s common for passengers (and even some drivers) to stretch out on long road trips. Unfortunately, resting your legs or feet on the dash can be extremely dangerous. In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, a person will have very little time to react and protect themselves from the impact, which can lead to serious injury and even loss of the ability to walk.

2. Sticking arms and legs out the window

While it’s tempting to stick your arms or legs out of a car window, you’re practically looking for an injury. Your limbs could hit objects or even other vehicles, which in the event of a sudden accident could expose your body to unnecessary injuries, including even the possibility of losing a limb.

3. Positioning the headrest incorrectly

The top of the headrest should always be level with the top of the head. A headrest that is too low can be dangerous in the event of a rear-end collision, in order to avoid injuries to the neck and upper part of the head in the event of an impact. Also, keeping the back of your head as close to the headrest as possible will protect you from a possible neck injury.

4. Sitting too close to the wheel

An airbag deploys at 200 miles per hour, so when you’re sitting too close behind the wheel, your body takes the full impact of the deployment. Ideally, the airbag should come into contact with the body after fully deploying, in order to reduce the force of impact.

5. Not wearing a seat belt, especially in the back seat

One of the most universally known safety measures is to always wear a seat belt. These belts are designed to collaborate with the airbags and offer you optimal protection. Without a seat belt, a car accident could cause you to shift inside the vehicle and hit the steering wheel, the windshield, or even other passengers.

About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.