Preventing the Tragic Implications of Car Fires

One of the scariest scenarios for any driver is undoubtedly for the car that you’re driving to suddenly catch on fire. Bay News 9 recently reported the story of a driver who experienced this scenario firsthand. A semi-truck disrupted traffic on Interstate 75 during a recent morning commute when it caught on fire. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the rear axle caught fire causing delays as troopers had to close the interstate to allow firefighters to battle with the flames. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but investigators are still pinpointing the cause of the automobile fire.

However, many automobile fires happen in association with car accidents, and traffic isn’t the worst thing that can result from one. Sadly, car fires can be a devastating effect of a car crash and lead to severe injuries and even death. In some circumstances, the fire resulting from a car accident is actually more dangerous than the initial collision.

How Dangerous Can Car Fires Be? 

Statistics, unfortunately, indicate that these accidents occur more often and can lead to more tragic results than any of us would like to contemplate. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has reported that almost one out of seven fires that happens in this country involves vehicles. Additionally, almost a tenth of fire-related deaths result from vehicle fires, meaning that an estimated 300 civilians are killed every year. Further, another 1,250 people are injured annually because of vehicle fires.

How Can Car Fires Be Prevented?

Everyone should understand the main causes of vehicle fires and how they can be prevented. Prevention measures include:

• Having your car serviced regularly. Unless you have been trained as a mechanic or otherwise have extensive knowledge of car maintenance, it is imperative that you take your car for regular service by a professional auto mechanic. Perform your routine maintenance because doing so can allow someone more experienced than you to catch a potential source of an automobile fire before it happens.
• Being mindful of what you’re transporting. You should always avoid transporting gasoline and other flammable liquids whenever possible. If you find yourself in a situation where you have to transport something that you know is flammable, you should attempt to reduce the amount of it as much as possible and keep it in a certified, sealed gas can.
• Sticking with the rules of the road. From abiding by speed limits to avoiding distracted driving, following the rules of the road and driving safely can help you avoid collisions in the first place, therefore avoiding a major source of car fires.

Have You or a Loved One Been Injured In a Car Fire?

If you are injured in a car fire, you should immediately get the medical attention you need. However, as soon as possible, you should begin reaching out to an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you proceed with your next steps. Car fires often lead to debilitating injuries that can affect everything from your ability to return to work to your ability to care for yourself and perform actions you once did without thinking. We are here to help and you can depend on us to ensure that you obtain the compensation that need and deserve. Contact the experienced West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm today for a free initial consultation.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Tampa, Bradenton, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami and Daytona Beach areas.

Resource:

baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2019/05/23/semi-fire-disrupts-morning-i-75-traffic-in-tampa

https://www.pendaslaw.com/understanding-how-to-avoid-home-electrical-fires/