Almost any object located inside of a vehicle can ultimately become a distraction or a projectile in the case of a car accident. Loose objects within a car can move around while the car is in motion and either distract a driver or directly impact the ability of the driver to safely operate their car. Sometimes, a driver suffers from distractions due to loose objects in their car, and their inattention to the roadway causes an accident.
If you suffered injuries due to loose objects in a vehicle causing an accident, consider contacting our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to learn how a Los Angeles loose objects lawyer can help you understand how you may receive compensation for your injuries.
Loose Objects Cause Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, internal distractions were cited as a critical factor in 11% of all car accidents in the United States. Loose objects in a motor vehicle are a common distraction.
Most items inside of a vehicle are not inherently dangerous. Cell phones, umbrellas, notebooks, and groceries are not in and of themselves harmful. However, if objects within a car somehow dislodge or become loose while a driver is operating their motor vehicle, they could easily cause enough of a distraction to cause an accident. Some ways a loose object can cause an accident include:
- An object falling into the lap of the driver.
- An object falling by the driver’s feet, and the driver attempts to pick it up.
- An object falling under the gas or brake pedal.
- A liquid such as hot coffee or soda begins to spill, and the driver reaches to prevent the spill.
- Food falls, and the driver looks down to find the food.
- A large object such as a book, backpack, or grocery bag shifting during a turn or swerve made by the driver.
- A cell phone drops from its holder or its location, and the driver attempts to pick it up.
If a loose object in a vehicle distracts a driver to the point that it causes an accident in which you suffered an injury, you may benefit from contacting Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. A member of our team can explain how you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Loose Objects Make Accidents More Severe
In some cases, the loose object itself does not directly cause the accident. If another driver operates a motor vehicle with negligence, carelessness, or recklessness and causes an accident with your vehicle, loose objects within your vehicle may cause catastrophic injury. For example, if a baby is properly secured in a car seat, during a head-on collision, a cell phone may be a loose object that flies toward the infant, resulting in a cracked skull.
In fact, a recent study indicated that every car has on average more than four loose objects that may pose some sort of threat or danger if a car accident were to occur. Any loose object in a car—water bottles, laptops, books, purses, shoes, navigation devices, garbage, and even other unsecured passengers—can cause substantial injury or even death to other passengers in the vehicle.
For a free legal consultation with a Loose Objects Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Prevent Loose Object Accidents
First, you can only prevent injuries from loose objects inside your own vehicle. If another vehicle has a loose object that is enough of a distraction to make the driver cause an accident, there is nothing the victim can do to prevent an accident with respect to that other driver’s loose object.
However, as a driver, you should consider limiting the number of loose objects in your own vehicle to reduce your risk of injury from the impact of any loose object in a car accident. Additionally, securing these loose objects will also prevent you from becoming distracted by them and causing an accident on the roadways yourself. Some ways you can prevent loose objects from causing injury within your own vehicle include:
- Make sure all passengers wear seatbelts during the entirety of the ride.
- Secure all objects inside the vehicle, including smaller objects such as cell phones and purses. One way to do this is to place smaller items in the glove compartment or other smaller compartments near the dash where they remain safe and secure and unable to become loose.
- Place as many items as possible in the trunk, where they will be unable to become a projectile in an accident.
- Keep pets in carriers or in some sort of restraint system while riding in the vehicle.
- Make sure to keep all groceries in the trunk of the car.
Los Angeles Loose Objects Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Injuries Suffered From Loose Objects
Obviously, all injuries will be dependent on not only the severity of the car accident, but what type of loose object caused the injury within a vehicle. However, projectiles made from loose objects within a vehicle can lead to catastrophic injuries to not only the driver but also other passengers. Those injuries could include:
- Concussions or traumatic brain injury
- Aortic dissection
- Nerve damage
- Punctured skin or organs
- Bruises, cuts, and lacerations
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage or bleeding
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Everyone is always in a rush to get from point A to point B; however, taking a few extra moments prior to driving anywhere to make sure that your vehicle is free and clear of any loose objects—and that any object that is near a passenger remains safely secured—can mean the difference between either catastrophic injuries or even life and death.
Additionally, making sure that you have no loose objects will prevent you from becoming distracted and causing an accident yourself. Many of the injuries related to loose objects in vehicles are preventable, and taking the time to check your car will ensure the safety of you and your passengers.
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How a Los Angeles Loose Objects Lawyer Can Help
If you suffered injuries due to a negligent driver becoming distracted from loose objects in their car, you may find it beneficial to contact our legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444. We can explain how a Los Angeles loose objects lawyer may be able to help you receive the compensation you deserve and understand your legal rights.
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