Unrestrained objects, such as water bottles, can be extremely dangerous when driving. In some cases, a driver will make a sharp turn causing a small object to fall onto the footboard of the vehicle where the clutch, gas, and brake pedals are positioned. This can be extremely dangerous to the driver of the vehicle and other drivers on the road. Additionally, this can cause distraction if the driver removes his/her focus from the road to remove the object.

Studies determined that about 13,000 injuries occurred over one year due to unrestrained objects in vehicles. Due to the substantial number of injuries caused by accidents involving unrestrained objects, a few organizations began performing crash-tests to determine the overall impact of unfastened items in vehicles.

The tests proved even small items became deadly during car accidents. On impact, an ice-chest in the rear storage area of the car flew forward and crushed the rear passenger dummy. A suitcase, a much smaller object, severed the arm of a passenger during the course of the accident test.

In addition, unfastened objects have the potential to tumble under the driver’s pedals such as the brake pedal which may obstruct the driver’s ability to hit the brakes in the appropriate situation. In some cases, even poorly designed or old floor mats can slide forward and get trapped under the pedals. To prevent unrestrained objects from causing accidents, consider the following advices:

• Ensure there are no items on your dash before operating your vehicle
• Make certain that all containers fit in designated cup holders properly.
• Check floor mats before driving to confirm they are not wedged under the control pedals.
• If you are carrying luggage of any kind, verify that these items fastened down with straps.

The Daspit Law Firm Cares

The Austin car accident lawyers at The Daspit Law Firm care about the safety of you and your family. To make certain you are able to travel from place to place in a safe manner, take a few extra minutes to inspect the inside of your car before getting on the road. A couple extra minutes may save you and your loved one from preventable dangers.

This is a message from the Austin car accident attorneys at our firm. We are dedicated to caring for our clients’ safety over the Labor Day weekend. Travel safely!