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Philadelphia Dashboard Injury Lawyer

When a car accident happens, the impact can throw a passenger’s knees, legs, or upper body into the dashboard, causing serious injuries. These injuries can lead to long-term physical limitations, high medical expenses, and lost income.

How Dashboard Injuries Happen

Even if a person wears a seatbelt, when a vehicle stops suddenly the momentum throws the body forward and the dashboard can become a dangerous point of impact. Front-seat passengers face the highest risk, especially if they rest their knees or feet on the dash, and drivers since they absorb the force of a crash through the steering wheel. Several types of crashes commonly cause dashboard injuries:

Although dashboards are designed with safety features like airbags, they do not always prevent injuries—especially because they can fail to deploy or activate too late.

Common Types of Dashboard Injuries

Coming into contact with the dashboard during a crash commonly causes the following injuries:

  • Knee injuries, such as fractures, dislocations, and torn ligaments (including ACL and PCL damage)
  • Hip dislocations or fractures, which often require surgery and intensive physical therapy
  • Femur fractures, caused by blunt force trauma to the upper legs
  • Abdominal injuries, when the torso bends violently over the dashboard
  • Chest trauma, including broken ribs or damage to internal organs if the seatbelt does not restrain the upper body properly

Many victims require surgery, ongoing rehabilitation, and pain management. Some face permanent mobility issues or chronic discomfort.

Filing a Dashboard Injury Claim

If you suffered a dashboard injury in a Philadelphia car accident, your options for compensation depend heavily on Pennsylvania’s insurance laws (75 Pa. C.S. § 1705) and specifically whether you chose a policy that includes limited tort or full tort coverage.

Under limited tort coverage, you can recover economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages. However, your ability to claim non-economic damages like pain and suffering is restricted unless your injury qualifies as a serious injury. Dashboard injuries such as fractured bones, ligament tears requiring surgery, or permanent impairments may meet this legal threshold.

With full tort coverage, you have broader rights. You can sue for both economic and non-economic damages regardless of your injury’s severity. This includes compensation for ongoing pain, emotional distress, reduced mobility, and diminished quality of life.

Why Hiring a Philly Dashboard Injury Lawyer is Critical

Working with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer can make a crucial difference in dashboard injury claims. These cases often involve injuries that are not easily visible on scans, such as ligament or soft tissue damage. An experienced Philadelphia dashboard injury attorney can gather the right medical evidence, consult specialists, and handle negotiations with insurance companies to protect your interests. They will give you the best chance of recovering maximum compensation. To arrange a free consultation, call (215) 569-0200 or reach out to Rosenbaum & Associates online today.