You probably feel busier than ever nowadays. When you are trying to prepare your kids for school and get to your job on time, you may carelessly toss your cellphone, briefcase or other items into your car, truck or SUV. Unfortunately, though, loose items can be deadly in a motor vehicle accident.
According to reporting from KGUN9, unsecured items cause thousands of injuries every single year. While you can rely on your vehicle’s safety features to protect you, these features are no match for loose items.
Unintended projectiles
If you have a motor vehicle accident, your car may go from highway speeds to a complete stop in a matter of seconds. Everything you have not secured in your vehicle is likely to continue to move forward. Even small items can turn into unintended projectiles that may collide with you or your passengers.
Delayed help
In the aftermath of a crash, your initial thought is likely to be to reach for your smartphone to call 911. If you did not secure your electronic devices before leaving home, though, you may not be able to locate your phone. This may cause a considerable delay in receiving emergency services.
Your safety strategy
It would be tragic for you to survive an impact only to suffer catastrophic injuries from loose items inside your vehicle. Therefore, it is advisable to store as many items as possible in your car’s trunk or behind its rear seat. Putting your smartphone in an easy-to-reach compartment also makes sense.
Ultimately, however, if you suffer an injury because of a loose item inside your vehicle, you may have grounds to seek additional financial compensation.