Dashboard Mounted Rear-View Mirrors

When the rear-view mirror was first implemented in cars, it was not uncommon for it to be attached to the dashboard of the car rather than its now customary position higher up on the windshield. When placed on the dashboard, they provided an excellent rear view but posed significant safety risks in the event of an accident.

In the days of dashboard-mounted rear-view mirrors, seatbelts were not required portions of cars. This means that when a person was involved in a front crash, any passengers were likely to have their heads make contact with the dashboard of the car or be expelled from it completely. The driver was likely to make contact with the steering wheel or be expelled.

When the rear-view mirror was added to the dashboard, the passenger’s head was likely to hit either the main part of the dashboard or the rear view mirror that was on the dashboard. This mirror also increased the potential for broken glass to injure the individuals in the car.

Due to concerns over visibility and safety, the dashboard-mounted mirror is a thing of the past. The question of safety mostly comes up only when an older car is in use. Older sports cars in particular commonly had these mirrors. In addition to questions of safety in accidents, the mirrors sometimes obstructed the view of the road in front. Others were not able to see behind the car, rendering the mirror ineffective.

Because of this type of mirror, the front passenger seat frequently became called the “suicide seat.”

Contact a Harrisburg Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact the Harrisburg personal injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams at 610-667-7511 to discuss your injury and to determine your legal options.