I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK IN ORDER TO DROP OFF A FEW THINGS BEFORE CONTINUING ON TO DO SOME SHOPPING. I PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VAN LEAVING THE IGNITION ON WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. AFTER UNLOADING MY ITEMS I DECIDED NOT TO GO SHOPPING AND WENT OUT TO TURN OFF THE VAN. WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE I OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND REACHED INTO THE VAN TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. IN THE PROCESS OF REACHING FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH I NUDGED THE SHIFT LEAVER AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING BACKWARD DOWN MY DRIVEWAY TRAPPING ME IN BETWEEN THE OPEN DOOR AND THE VAN. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE ANY ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS MOVING TOO QUICKLY. I HELD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE BEING DRAGGED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE GRASS AND INTO SOME TREES AND BUSHES. THE VAN DOOR STRUCK A TREE BENDING THE DOOR BACK. AT THAT TIME I FELL UNDER THE VAN AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE RAN OVER MY LEGS, UP MY TORSO AND ACROSS MY CHEST. THE VAN CONTINUED ON AND CAME TO A REST AT THE BOTTOM OF MY NEIGHBOR'S YARD. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. I SUFFERED CONTUSIONS TO THE ABDOMINAL WALL, LEGS AND CHEST IN ADDITION TO A CUT TO MY LEFT ANKLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED MY HUSBAND HAD THE VAN CHECK BY A FORD DEALER. THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS NOTHING FAULTY WITH THE SAFETY MECHANISM, WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE GEAR SHIFTER UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. HOWEVER, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE