Spring is coming - and so are bare feet, sandals, and flip-flops. Generally speaking, that's no problem - unless you're trying to drive in them. While not illegal, driving barefoot may not be the smartest thing to do - especially if you end up in a traffic accident! Driving in flip-flops can also be hazardous. Here's what you should know.
It's A Question Of Safety.
Shoes give you extra support, and extra power behind your push when you press on your brakes. A bare foot lacks the same arch support that helps give your foot better leverage on the pedal. Bare feet also lack the traction given by the sole of most shoes.
Flip-flops, however, are not "most" shoes. They may actually be worse for driving than wearing nothing at all because they're held onto the foot with a barely-there strap and can slip off at any moment. A shoe that falls off while you're driving can end up wedged under the brake pedal, keeping you from fully depressing the pedal and causing you to drive into another vehicle.
They also notoriously lack traction. They are usually slick on the bottom and prevent you from using your toes to grip the pedals at the same time, which can easily lead to an accident.
It's Also An Issue Of Negligence.
What happens if you are in an accident while driving barefoot or wearing flip-flops?
When courts look at an accident they try to determine if there was any negligence involved. Someone is negligent (and legally responsible for another person's injuries) when:
Since all of these things have to be true in order to prove negligence, your defense against allegations of negligence involves disproving any one of those factors.
You might be able to defend against the idea that driving with flip-flops or bare feet is negligent simply because there are no laws against it. However, be cautious, because some states (like Ohio) even write warnings against the practice into their law. That could be enough to make your actions appear obviously negligent, should a car accident land you in front of a judge or jury.
You could also defend against a charge of negligence, however, by trying to show that your bare feet or flip-flops had nothing to do with the accident. For example, if there's evidence that the other driver skidded on a wet road, you may be able to prove that you couldn't have avoided the accident no matter what footwear you had on.
The best plan is to keep a pair of sneakers in your car so that you can slip them on before you start driving. If you've already been in an accident, however, you should contact an attorney right away to discuss the situation and mount a defense. Talk to experts like Morales Law for more information.
Share31 March 2015
When I was injured in a slip and fall accident a few years ago, my family and friends had a hard time relating to the things I was going through. While some people thought that my decision to file a lawsuit was frivolous, others were under the impression that I would walk away as a millionaire. Their lack of personal experience with this type of legal problem left me feeling alone during one of the most difficult times in my life. That is why I decided to start this blog so that accident victims from all over would have somewhere to come to get the information and support that they need. I truly hope that this page can be that place for you.