Too often, passengers rest their legs on the dash to become more comfortable during a car ride. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious injuries in a car accident. In 2022, nearly 32,000 people died in car accidents. And millions more received mild to permanent injuries.
If you were in an accident and have a dashboard injury, we want to help you with your claim. Call our office at 678-363-3500 to request a free initial consultation. If you regularly put your legs on the dashboard, we encourage you to keep reading so you understand the risks and why you should stop doing this immediately.
What Is a Dashboard Injury?
When most people hear dashboard injury, they think of an injury when the person rests their feet on the dash. However, people can also be injured if their knees crash into the dashboard while sitting. No matter how someone sits, a dashboard injury can be catastrophic for victims.
When you sit with your feet on the dash, you risk the airbag deploying and sending your legs back forcefully. This can sometimes result in death due to how the bones hit the head or face. Other times, people can receive numerous injuries that change their lives forever.
For those who do not rest their legs on the dash, there is still some risk of a dashboard injury. Depending on how the vehicle is hit, a person’s knees can jam into the dashboard and cause serious tears, breaks, or other injuries.
How Common Are Dashboard Injuries?
Unfortunately, dashboard injuries are extremely common for both drivers and passengers. This is because car accidents result in sudden jolts and jostles of the body in various directions. The impact of two vehicles colliding can cause mild injuries, such as bruising and swelling, to more severe injuries, such as fractures or tears.
Why Should You Never Put Your Feet on the Dashboard?
When an airbag deploys, it does so at 100-220 mph. There is no time for someone to move their legs in this event. People generally have seconds before the crash happens, if any at all. Thinking you have time to remove your feet if something does happen is not accurate thinking. Unless you can move at supernatural speeds, a car accident when someone has their legs on the dash will lead to injuries.
In addition, seat belt testing is based on sitting properly. Sitting in an odd position reduces the protection it provides. The airbag also can’t protect someone if their legs are in the way, meaning there is a greater risk of other injuries.
What Is Likely to be Injured in a Dashboard Injury in GA?
Knee injuries are the most common dashboard injuries. The injury most seen after a car accident is a PCL tear. The only way to determine if you have this injury is to get testing and scans at a medical facility. Other injuries include:
- Patellar fracture or dislocation
- Ligament tears or damage
- Meniscal injuries
- Torn tendons
Each accident is different, with varying degrees of injuries. Some milder injuries do not require surgery but rest and at-home treatments. The more severe injuries require surgeries and immobilization for long periods.
Alternatives to Putting Your Legs on the Dashboard
Everyone knows how uncomfortable long car rides are. This is why many people rest their feet on the dashboard, to get their bodies in a more comfortable position. However, your safety is more important than comfort.
If you struggle with wanting to rest your feet on the dash, consider taking more breaks to stretch your legs. Keeping reminders in the car to keep your feet flat on the floorboard is also a good way to break the habit.
FAQs About Dashboard Injuries in Georgia
Many of our clients and potential clients have specific questions about dashboard injuries. We’ve answered those questions below so you don’t have to spend time asking them during your free consultation:
What Are Dashboard Knee Injury Symptoms?
The symptoms of a knee injury range from person to person. However, there are some common similarities, including:
- Swelling and inflammation
- Mild to severe pain
- Knee instability
- Redness
- Tenderness to the touch
- Trouble standing or walking
It’s important you get checked by a medical professional if you were in a car accident. Knee pain is a symptom of many injuries, including tears, breaks, dislocation, and soft tissue injuries. A doctor can run the appropriate tests to identify the cause of the pain early. The earlier the treatment starts, the less likely it will cause further damage.
What Are the Dashboard Knee Injury Treatment Options?
Treatment options depend on the kind of injury sustained. You must speak with a medical professional to determine the appropriate treatment options after an accident. The most common treatments include:
- Ice therapy for 20 minutes at a time
- Hot therapy after a few days for 20 minutes at a time
- Wearing a knee brace
- Elevating the knee
- Surgery
- Splints or casts
- Physical therapy
- Rest/immobilization of the knee
You should speak to a doctor before trying any of these treatment options. They must examine the injury, run tests and scans, and determine the root cause before deciding on a treatment option.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help With a Dashboard Knee Injury?
If you injured your knee in an accident that was due to someone else’s negligence, a car accident attorney may be able to help. When working with clients, they investigate and prepare the case so they can fight for the compensation their clients deserve. When negotiating with insurance companies, car accident attorneys consider the following damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Lost wages (current and future)
An attorney knows the ins and outs of car accident laws. They fight for their clients throughout their cases with ongoing legal support and representation. If you want to discuss your knee injury with a car accident attorney, contact us to request a free initial consultation.
Is a Dashboard Leg Injury Permanent?
This is impossible to answer. Some injuries cause life-long changes or symptoms, while others heal completely without any other issues. The only way to know your knee injury's seriousness is to visit a doctor and discuss it with them. A medical professional is much more equipped to answer this question.
What Is a PCL Tear?
A posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear is commonly called a “dashboard injury.” This is because car accidents are the leading cause of these tears. When a person’s knee impacts with the dashboard, the tibia bone is pushed downward and tears the ligament behind the knee.
The PCL and the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) work together to connect the femur and tibia bones. When one of these ligaments tears, the person is in excruciating pain. They have trouble walking, have swelling, and may have an unstable leg.
Why Lonati Law for a Dashboard Injury After a Car Accident in Georgia
You probably want to know why Lonati Law should be a law firm you consider for your claim. We have won millions in awards for our clients and fight until the end to get the justice they deserve. Read about the benefits of working with Lonati Law below:
We Fight for Our Clients
The team at Lonati Law has helped thousands of Georgia residents with their personal injury cases. We strongly feel that those responsible for harming others should pay. That’s why we dedicate our time and energy to negotiating with insurance companies to ensure our clients get the compensation they deserve.
Award-Winning Georgia Law Firm
The attorneys at Lonait Law have been recognized with several awards, including:
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Top Attorney Award
- Georgia Super Lawyer Rising Star
- Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers
- Avvo Top Personal Injury Attorney
Our clients and the industry continuously recognize us for our exceptional customer service, outstanding legal representation, and ability to win cases.
Personalized and Quick Customer Service
When clients begin working with Lonati Law, they quickly realize they are more than just a case to us. We offer ongoing, personalized legal support from the beginning. Clients are introduced to all team members supporting their cases, including the attorney.
Car accident victims fight daily to heal and move on with their lives. We understand how important this is and work quickly to resolve our client’s cases in or out of court to help them move forward.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Dallas, GA, Accident Attorney Today
Many people wonder what a dashboard injury is and how it impacts a person in a car accident. Now that we’ve discussed the risks of having your feet and legs on the dash, we hope you’ll consider other sitting options during your next car ride.
If you have suffered from a dashboard injury and the accident was due to someone else’s negligence, we want to help. The team at Lonati Law understands the ins and outs of car accidents. We work hard to get the compensation and justice our clients deserve.
Contact our office today at 678-363-3500 to request a free consultation to determine if we can assist with your accident claim.
