Can A Passenger Put Their Feet On The Dash Or Out The Window?

No, a passenger should not put their feet on the dashboard or out the window. While it may seem like a comfortable position, it can lead to devastating injuries in a crash. Airbags deploy with extreme force, which can drive your legs backward into your body, causing broken bones or head trauma. Feet hanging out the window are also exposed to passing vehicles or debris.

Improper seating posture can weaken the protection of your seatbelt and airbags, increasing your risk of serious harm. Insurance companies may argue that your position contributed to your injuries, potentially lowering the amount you can recover. This is especially important under California’s comparative fault rules.

By sitting upright with your seatbelt fastened and feet on the floor, you can reduce your injury risk and strengthen your claim. If you sustained an injury in a crash, consult our car accident lawyers at AK Law. We can help you understand if you are eligible for compensation, depending on the details of your case.

Key points to remember:

Why It’s Dangerous To Put Feet On The Dashboard Or Out The Window

Many passengers stretch out during long drives, but placing your feet on the dashboard or out the window increases your risk of serious injury in a crash or sudden stop.

Airbags and seatbelts protect you best when you sit upright, wear your seatbelt properly, and keep your feet on the floor. Changing that position reduces how well these systems can work.

Here’s why that matters:

Injury Risk From Airbag Deployment

Airbags inflate rapidly at 1/20th of a second, giving you no time to react. If your feet are on the dashboard, the airbags can slam your legs backward, causing broken bones, dislocations, or soft tissue damage. Additionally, a defective airbag may not deploy properly or may deploy with excessive force, amplifying the potential for severe injury. This raises questions about the dangers of airbags in certain crash scenarios. While a victim’s sitting position may affect the injuries sustained, airbag attorneys may also investigate potential defects that could have worsened the harm.

Reduced Effectiveness Of Seatbelts

Seatbelts are most effective when you sit upright. If you recline your seat or raise your feet, the belt can’t hold your body properly on impact, similar to the risk faced by those not wearing seatbelts at all. You could slide under the belt or get thrown sideways, increasing the risk of catastrophic injuries.

Risk Of Being Ejected Or Thrown Around

When your feet hang out the window, you aren’t properly supported in your seat. You could be thrown around inside the car or even ejected from it. Without an appropriate sitting posture, you lose the stability needed to reduce your risk of injury in a crash.

Possibility Of Facial And Head Injuries

Putting your feet on the dashboard can cause your legs to slam into your face during a crash. It may lead to broken knees and facial bones. Your knees could be forced into your head with a strong blow, resulting in concussions and brain injuries.

No Time To React In Emergencies

Putting your feet on the dashboard or out the window makes it harder to react quickly in an urgent situation. You might not be able to brace yourself or stay balanced if the car suddenly stops or swerves. This position lowers your chance of protecting yourself in those critical moments.

Injuries from these incidents can lead to long-term problems. Some people may suffer permanent nerve damage or mobility loss. What feels like a harmless way to relax could cause life-changing consequences.

Keeping your feet on the floor and sitting upright may not seem exciting, but it’s the safest way to ride. A moment of comfort isn’t worth the long-term pain or injury that could follow.

Real Accidents Prove Why Feet On The Dashboard Can Be Fatal

It’s easy to think, “That won’t happen to me.” However, real stories show how dangerous it can be to ride a car with your feet on the dashboard. Even if you’re just trying to get comfortable, one sudden crash can lead to serious injuries that may have lasting effects. These real-life examples show what can go wrong when you ride in an unsafe position.

Georgia Mom Warns After Habit Nearly Ruins Her Life

Audra Tatum was riding in the passenger seat with her feet propped on the dashboard when her car was T-boned just four miles from her destination.

The force of the airbag drove her knees into her face. The crash broke her femur, shattered her ankle and arm, and fractured several bones in her face. One leg was bent so severely that she recalled, “I was looking at the bottom of my foot facing up at me.”

Doctors had to insert a metal rod into her leg. She underwent multiple surgeries and months of physical therapy. Although she eventually regained the ability to walk, she still can’t stand for long periods and had to give up her EMS career.

Audra now shares her story publicly to warn others: riding with your feet on the dashboard may seem harmless until it leads to severe injuries.

X-Ray Shows Severe Injuries After A Crash

An X-ray photo shared worldwide showed the injuries of a young woman who had her feet on the dashboard during a crash.

Doctors said the crash completely dislocated her right hip and pushed her left thigh bone through the skin. Troopers in North and South Carolina confirmed it’s not illegal to ride with your feet up, but they strongly warn against it.

“If your feet are on the dash, you might create that blind spot that could get yourself and your driver into a vehicle collision,” said Trooper Pierce.

Doctors believe the airbag caused the majority of her injuries and said crashes like this could require hip replacements or cause long-term conditions like post-traumatic arthritis.

These cases show how one unsafe choice can lead to long-term injuries. This posture can reduce the effectiveness of safety features like airbags and seatbelts, potentially leading to more serious harm during an accident.

How Your Seat Position Affects Injury Claims

Your position in the car during a crash can affect your injury claim. Even if someone else caused the accident, your seating position may be a factor in how your car accident attorney assesses your claim. Insurance companies and courts may consider whether your actions contributed to your injuries.

Here’s how that could affect your claim:

• You Might Share Some of the Blame — If your position was unsafe, the law may consider you partly responsible for your injuries.
• Courts May Reduce Your Compensation — If your posture made the injury worse, the amount you receive may be lower. For example, insurers might argue that you could have avoided certain injuries by sitting properly.
• Insurance Companies May Question Your Choices — They might argue that you increased your risk by not sitting safely. It can affect how they value your claim or how quickly they respond.

An unsafe sitting position isn’t illegal, but it can lead to challenges during recovery and in legal claims.

Consider consulting with a car accident lawyer to discuss your potential eligibility for compensation. They can review the details, explain your rights, and guide you through what to expect.

Proper Sitting Posture To Maximize Car Safety

A few posture changes can improve both comfort and safety. These simple tips may help reduce injury risk during rides:

1. Sit Upright — Keep your back straight and rest it fully on the seat. Don’t slouch. Sitting upright helps your seatbelt and airbag work the right way.
2. Face Forward — Always look straight ahead. Don’t twist your neck or turn your body while the car is moving. This way, your seatbelt and headrest protect you better in a crash.
3. Adjust the Headrest — Line up the back of your head with the center of the headrest. It lowers the risk of whiplash during sudden stops or collisions. Proper headrest positioning ensures that your neck is supported, minimizing the risk of neck or head injuries in rear-end accidents.
4. Keep Your Feet on the Floor — Place both feet flat on the floor or footrest. Avoid crossing your legs or placing your feet on the dashboard, as this increases the risk of injury. Keeping your feet grounded enhances stability during a collision, which can reduce the chance of being thrown around inside the vehicle.
5. Wear the Seatbelt Correctly — The shoulder strap should go across your chest (not your neck), and the lap belt should lie low across your hips (not your stomach). This positioning ensures that your seatbelt offers the maximum protection, preventing the belt from riding up during an accident.
6. Sit Far Enough From the Dashboard — Stay at least 10 to 12 inches away from the dashboard. Sitting too close increases the risk of severe injury, as the force of airbag deployment can lead to serious damage to your upper body or face.
7. Leave Space Behind Your Knees — Keep a gap about two fingers wide between the front edge of your seat and the back of your knees. This small adjustment can improve blood flow and help reduce leg fatigue on long drives.

Proper posture is not only about comfort but also about reducing the likelihood of serious injuries in case of a collision. Maintaining correct positioning for your seat, headrest, and distance from the dashboard helps the airbag system work efficiently, reduces whiplash risks, and ensures that your seatbelt provides optimal protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Riding with your feet on the dashboard or out the window may seem harmless, but it raises safety and legal concerns. Below are common questions people ask about this risky habit, how it can affect you in a crash, and how lawyers for car accidents may be able to help.

Can A Passenger Put Their Feet On The Dash Or Out The Window?

It’s not illegal, but it’s highly unsafe. Airbags deploy with strong force and can cause serious leg injuries if your feet are on the dashboard during a crash. Similarly, feet hanging out the window can be struck by debris or passing vehicles.

The risks increase in bad weather. For example, during heavy rain, roads can become slippery and visibility can drop, making crashes more likely. If your feet are on the dashboard when a rain-related car accident occurs, the impact and airbag deployment can cause more severe injuries. The same goes for feet outside the window; wet road spray, debris, or hydroplaning vehicles can all add to the danger.

Aside from the physical risks, this posture can affect your injury claim. If your position made your injuries worse, the insurance company might reduce how much they’re willing to pay based on your share of responsibility. Car crash attorneys can evaluate your claim and help you understand what options you may have if this is the case.

Why Should You Work With A Personal Injury Lawyer After An Accident Involving Unsafe Passenger Posture?

If you sustain an injury in a crash while sitting with your feet on the dashboard or out the window, a car accident attorney can help you understand how this might affect your claim. These cases can raise questions about fault and compensation, especially if your seating position made your injuries worse. If you’ve found yourself thinking, “I need a personal injury lawyer,” this is the kind of situation where professional guidance can be essential.

Here’s how a personal injury lawyer may help:

• Explain Your Legal Rights & Options — They can review your situation and let you know what actions may be available under state and local laws.
• Assess How Posture May Affect Your Eligibility for Compensation — Accident injury lawyers can evaluate how your position at the time of the crash could impact the amount you may receive.
• Communicate with Insurance Companies — A lawyer focusing on car accidents can handle discussions with insurers and help protect your claim from disputes or delays.
• Gather Evidence to Support Your Claim — They can collect medical records, witness statements, and other documentation that may help show what happened.
• Offer Fee Flexibility — Costs depend on the personal injury law firm’s billing structure. Many injury attorneys use contingency fees, so you pay attorney fees only if there is a recovery.

Riding in an unsafe position can create added challenges, but it doesn’t prevent you from pursuing a claim. A car accident lawyer can help you navigate the process and understand what comes next.

What Are The Types Of Damages That May Apply If You Sustain An Injury As A Passenger?

Sitting with your feet on the dashboard or out the window can increase your injury risk, but you may still be eligible for compensation after a crash. Even though this position is unsafe and might make your injuries worse, you still have legal rights if someone else caused a traffic accident.

Here are the types of damages you may be eligible for:

• Medical Expenses — Coverage for hospital care, surgeries, medication, and rehabilitation.
• Lost Income — Payment for missed work, bonuses, or future lost earnings.
• Property Damage — Compensation for personal belongings damaged in the crash.
• Pain & Suffering — Recovery for physical pain or reduced quality of life.
• Emotional Distress — Compensation for trauma, anxiety, or other mental effects. A car accident lawyer can advise on whether or not these damages apply in your case.

In California, your posture at the time of a motor vehicle accident can play a role in how much compensation you receive. Under the state’s pure comparative fault law, an injured person can still recover damages even if they share some of the blame for their injuries, but their recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault.

For example, if a court finds you were 25% responsible for worsening your injuries because your feet were on the dashboard, your total compensation would be reduced by 25%. Insurance companies may use similar reasoning when evaluating claims, arguing that an unsafe position increased your risk of harm. Car accident claims lawyers can explain this rule and how it may affect your potential compensation.

This is why it’s important to sit safely and work with an experienced lawyer for car accidents who can counter unfair blame-shifting.

Can The Driver Be At Fault Even If Someone Else Caused The Crash?

Yes. Drivers have the responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect passengers. That includes ensuring they wear seatbelts and sit safely. Consult a car accident attorney for a detailed assessment of your case. Even if another driver caused the crash, your driver might share some of the blame.

Talk To A Lawyer If You Were Hurt While Riding In An Unsafe Position

A car accident lawyer can discuss how your seating position may impact your injury claim and compensation options. We can help you understand your next steps. Our multilingual staff can assist clients in their preferred language, including Spanish, Filipino, Farsi, and others.

No matter your immigration status, you have the right to seek legal help. Call (888) 488-1391 to get free accident lawyer advice. You can also complete our contact form to request a consultation.