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I found out through a friend, just how severe a foot injury
can be, in this sort of collision. My next door neighbor, Jeff
had a similar style front-impact auto wreck. The airbag saved him
for the most part -- but as the front of the car collapsed, his
foot was still on the brake. The sudden impact transferred a force
through the brake pedal that shattered MUCH of his left foot.
The brake pedal evidently hit with such a sharp force, that it
snapped through all the bones in his arch, heel, ankle, and even
broke the bottom three inches off from his tibia (shin bone)!!
Other than that- he was only bruised. Jeff told me that he climbed
out of the car, to check on passengers of the other vehicle involved.
Because of sheer adrenaline, he said he felt no pain, as the thought
registered in his mind of "Oh, I have no foot to stand on, any more..."
so he hopped/hobbled over to check on other people; but five minutes
after he determined that people were OK, he was writhing in pain, in
the grass, awaiting the medics.
As a result, he spent months, and three reconstructive operations to
re-assemble his left foot, with the addition of various pins & hardware.
Luckily, he now stolls down streeets & hallways without crutches, cane,
or even a limp, but it was not an easy road to recovery. Even now- Jeff
says that the experience has etched new reflexes in his subconcious motor
skills. Any time his car approaches so much as a speed bump, his feed
will jump away from the brakes, without being asked. The brain stem seems
to remembe things on a much different level, but does remember nonetheless,
and is wired together in ways you might not expect. Previously, I might
not have thought, in a sudden situation, to draw feet back, just before an
impact - other than to be concerned that a dash/console may collapse, and
injure your legs. Hopefully, I never have to put this piece of information
to direct personal use, but I -do- think I'll file it away just in case.
I am glad to hear that your son sustained only minor injuries - yet
another testament to the safety improvements of a 1995 SAAB, over the
1960's autos we all used to merilly zip around with.
After reading your comment, I entered this story just to illustrate a live
example about why the 'break away' pedals could be considered an important
feature. Certainly, it is a very small consideration, when determining
just which car you prefer - yet the automakers, including SAAB, likely
used stories much like Jeff's, when the feature was added.
Joseph in Atlanta
posted by 66.32.84...
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