Propping your feet on the dashboard might feel comfortable during a long drive through Central Minnesota, but it puts you at serious risk in even a minor crash. Both passengers and drivers do this, unaware that airbags deploy at up to 200 miles per hour. When your knees are near your face, that force can shatter your pelvis, break your hips or drive your femur into your abdomen, causing life-threatening internal injuries.
How airbags turn a bad habit into a catastrophic injury
Airbags save lives when you sit properly with your seatbelt fastened and your feet on the floor. They deploy in milliseconds during a collision, creating a cushion between your chest and the steering wheel or dashboard. Minnesota law requires all vehicle occupants to wear seatbelts, but it does not specifically address foot placement.
When your feet rest on the dashboard, the airbag strikes your legs and forces your knees into your chest or face. Orthopedic surgeons report seeing the following injuries from this position:
- Pelvic fractures: Often require surgical plates, screws or months of non-weight-bearing recovery
- Hip dislocations: Can cause permanent nerve damage and chronic pain
- Facial fractures: Result when your knees strike your nose, jaw or eye sockets
- Spinal injuries: Occur when the force compresses your lower back
These injuries frequently require multiple surgeries, extended hospital stays and long-term physical therapy. Many victims never regain full mobility.
Understanding the legal and financial consequences
Insurance companies in Minnesota may reduce your settlement if they determine your injuries resulted partly from improper seating position. Comparative fault rules allow insurers to assign a percentage of blame to you, which directly lowers your compensation. If a jury finds you 20% at fault for your injuries, your $100,000 claim drops to $80,000. Medical bills for pelvic reconstruction, hip replacement or spinal surgery can easily exceed $200,000, leaving you responsible for the gap.
Protect your rights after an accident
Minnesota sees thousands of car crashes each year on icy roads, at intersections and on Highway 10. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you document your injuries, challenge fault arguments from insurers and pursue compensation for medical costs, lost wages and pain. One careless moment can turn a survivable crash into a lifetime of disability and debt, so finding a lawyer who can advocate for your rights is crucial.