Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Pedal Mix-up Causes Sudden Acceleration Accidents
Accidents can happen very quickly. When they do, they can be devastating. Some of the most serious crashes occur when a driver suddenly accelerates. These accidents are often unpredictable because the driver did not intend to step on the gas. A car can accelerate forward or backwards and may run into other vehicles, pedestrians, buildings, or anything else. There are as many as 16,000 accidents each year that are caused by pedal mix-ups.
What is an Acceleration Accident?
An acceleration accident is a crash that occurs due to unwarranted acceleration of the gas pedal. It is typically caused by driver error, when the driver believes they are pressing on the brake but instead are stepping on the gas pedal. It causes a quick vehicle movement that the driver may be unable to quickly control. It takes a few seconds or more for the driver to comprehend the mistake and then try to correct it. The vehicle may crash before the driver regains control. This is often a chaotic scene where the results can be serious.
Common Pedal Mix-up Accidents
Pedal mix-ups often occur in situations where a driver is moving slowly or needs to stop. Instead of pressing the brake pedal, a driver may incorrectly step on the gas. This sudden surge of gas moves the vehicle quickly and sometimes at a high speed. A similar incident may occur when the driver mixes up forward and reverse gears. This can happen in a parking lot where the driver is trying to back out of a parking space. Instead of going in reverse, a driver may put the car in drive and then accelerate. Rather than quickly braking, the driver might continue to press the gas rather than the brake.
Pedal Errors are Caused By the Driver
Some accidents involving sudden acceleration may be attributed to vehicle mechanical failure. However, studies have found that in most cases, the incident was not caused by vehicle malfunction but instead was a result of driver error. These mistakes may be made inadvertently, and the driver may not always realize that they themselves caused the problem. In accidents where sudden acceleration is an issue, a comprehensive investigation and mechanical review need to be done to confirm the cause. Driver error is generally a type of negligence.
Preventing Pedal Errors
Pedal mistakes are preventable. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued some tips to help drivers prevent the incidence of pedal error. They recommend wearing shoes that have adequate soles, so they cannot slip between the foot and pedal. Drivers should not wear flip-flops and should not drive barefoot. Practice using the brake by pressing the middle of the pedal rather than the sides. Ensure that when you drive a different vehicle, you review the location of the pedals. Importantly, the NHTSA says drivers should not allow themselves to become distracted while behind the wheel.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident, you may be owed compensation for your damages. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to schedule a consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
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