A seemingly innocuous act of comfort during a car ride can have devastating, life-altering consequences. Resting your feet on the dashboard, while tempting on a long journey, transforms a vehicle’s essential safety features into instruments of catastrophic injury in the event of a collision. Understanding the severe risks involved is essential for every passenger who values their well-being.
Why Resting Your Feet on the Dashboard Is a Grave Mistake
The primary danger of this seemingly relaxed posture is that it ignores the vehicle’s carefully engineered safety systems. Seatbelts and airbags are designed to work together to protect occupants seated in a conventional, upright position. When a passenger puts their feet on the dashboard, they are out of the optimal position for the seatbelt to work and place their lower body directly in the path of a deploying airbag.
In a crash, an airbag deploys at up to 100 and 220 miles per hour. This explosive force is meant to cushion the head and torso of a properly seated passenger. However, if a passenger’s feet are on the dashboard, the airbag drives their knees into their face and chest with incredible force.
Common Injuries Caused by Feet on the Dashboard in a Crash
The consequences of having one’s feet on the dashboard during a crash are grim and often result in permanent disability. The force of the deploying airbag can cause:
- Facial and Head Trauma: The passenger’s own knees can be propelled into their face, leading to severe facial fractures, broken eye sockets, and traumatic brain injuries.
- Hip and Pelvic Fractures: The upward force of the airbag can drive the femurs (thigh bones) out of their sockets, resulting in painful and complex hip dislocations and pelvic fractures.
- Lower Limb Injuries: The legs themselves can sustain severe fractures to the femur, tibia, and fibula. The ankles and feet are also at high risk of being crushed.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The unnatural contortion of the body during such an impact can lead to devastating spinal cord injuries, potentially resulting in paralysis.
Airbag Risks and How They Make Injuries Worse
Ironically, the very safety device designed to protect you becomes a primary source of injury in this scenario. An airbag is a supplemental restraint system, meaning it is intended to work in conjunction with a seatbelt.
When a passenger is improperly seated, the airbag’s deployment can be far more hazardous than the initial impact of the collision itself. The immense force is concentrated on the passenger’s lower body, leading to the catastrophic injuries outlined above.
Is It Illegal to Put Your Feet on the Dashboard in South Carolina?
While there is no specific law in South Carolina that explicitly prohibits a passenger from resting their feet on the dashboard, it is a practice that is strongly discouraged by law enforcement and safety experts. The absence of a specific statute does not negate the immense danger associated with this behavior.
South Carolina law does require all drivers and passengers to wear a properly fastened seatbelt that meets federal safety standards (S.C. Code § 56-5-6520).
Could Sitting Improperly Affect Your Compensation After an Accident?
In South Carolina, comparative fault applies. If you’re injured with your feet on the dashboard, your risky posture can be blamed for making your injuries worse, even if another driver caused the crash.
Here’s how it works:
- Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
- If you’re more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing.
Insurance adjusters and juries will argue you share blame for broken bones, brain injuries, or paralysis caused by the airbag slamming your knees into your face.
Don’t give them the excuse. Sit properly, and protect your payout.
Safe Sitting Position to Protect Yourself While Riding in a Car
To ensure your safety while riding in a car, always adhere to the following guidelines:
- Sit with your back against the seat and your feet firmly on the floor.
- Wear your seatbelt correctly, with the lap belt across your hips and the shoulder belt across your chest, away from your neck.
- Maintain a safe distance from the dashboard, allowing the airbag to deploy effectively without causing undue harm.
- Ensure the headrest is properly adjusted to support your head and neck.
What to Do if You’re Injured in a Car Accident in South Carolina
If injured in a South Carolina car accident, immediately call 911 for medical and police response. Seek a full medical evaluation, as some injuries are not immediately obvious. If possible, document the scene and exchange information without admitting fault.
Critically, protect your rights by promptly consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer at Stewart Law Offices to understand your options and navigate the claims process.
