Thousands of car accidents take place every day for a multitude of reasons. Some accidents are caused by intoxication, texting, or another form of negligence. Other accidents happen for more atypical reasons. As strange as it may sound, your choice of shoes can influence a car accident. Speak with an attorney after an auto accident in Michigan to find out if you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries.
How Different Shoes Affect Your Driving Ability
You use your feet to drive, so it makes sense that shoes affect your driving ability. No one would try to drive with skis strapped to their feet, for example. Yet, many people don’t realize that ordinary footwear can hinder their skills as motorists.
Flip-Flops
Flip-flops can be dangerous to wear while you are driving. It is estimated that people wearing flip flops are involved in 1.4 million car accidents each year. This is because flip-flops double the amount of time it takes the driver to press the brake. Believe it or not, it may be more dangerous to drive with flip flops than wearing high heels!
High Heels
High heels can get stuck in the carpeting and floor mats, which can make it difficult to press the brake. In 2014, a woman in France caused a car accident when her high heel got stuck in the pedal. This crash led to the death of the child who was in the car with her. Three people were seriously injured in the accident.
Slippers
Many people throw on slippers when they need to make a quick run to the store; however, this may not be the best idea to remain safe behind the wheel. Slippers are only designed to be worn inside of the house. If your slipper comes off while you are driving, then you can easily cause an accident.
No Shoes at All
Although it is not against the law to drive without shoes, doing so shows incredibly poor judgment. Not only is it uncomfortable to drive without shoes on, going barefoot makes it more difficult for you to press down on the pedals properly. Additionally, your feet could slip when you need to make a hard stop.
Car accidents happen more often than you might think. Though you cannot control other drivers’ actions, you can do your part to make sound decisions behind the wheel. Opting to wear comfortable footwear that sticks to your feet and gives you more control over the pedals is just one step you can take to reduce your risk of causing an accident.
Most people do what they can to follow the rules of the road and drive safely; unfortunately, accidents happen on a regular basis. Responsible drivers get hurt because of the actions of irresponsible drivers daily. If you or someone you know has recently been injured in a car accident due to the negligence or recklessness of another driver, contact Michigan Legal Center. Our team of competent car accident lawyers in Michigan are ready to evaluate your case. Call 800-961-8477 for a free case evaluation or email us.