How to Prevent Vehicle Fires and What to Do If One Occurs

In April, a fatal accident in Vanderburgh’s neighboring county of Henderson took the life of a truck driver. Local fire departments responded to the call, but unfortunately, they were unable to rescue the driver, and he lost his life in the fire.

While a vehicle fire is rarely on a driver’s mind throughout the day, these incidents occur more often than you may think. From 2006-2010, an average of 17 car fires were reported every hour in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association. While teenagers and young adults are statistically most likely to be involved in one of these incidents, it can happen to anyone operating a motor vehicle.

Precautions to Take

Incidents like these are scary and extremely dangerous. While there is no way to guarantee that you will never experience one when you are driving, there are precautions to take in order to decrease the risk.

• Take Your Car in for Check-Ups: Many vehicle fires are caused by malfunctions in the fuel lines and pumps of the car. In order to make sure your vehicle does not experience one of these malfunctions, you should be diligent in taking the car in to get checked by a mechanic at least once a year.
• Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy: You can never be too prepared for a situation like this. It may be wise to take the extra precaution of keeping a fire extinguisher in your car. This will help prevent a situation like the one above by providing a way to extinguish the fire before it gets out of control.

What to Do in the Event of a Vehicle Fire

Sometimes, despite the precautions you take, this unfortunate situation may still occur, and it is important that you know the steps to take in situations like this.

• Pull Over: If you see smoke or smell something burning, pull over immediately rather than continuing to your destination.
• Shut off the Engine: Once you pull over, turn off the car’s engine in order to stop the flow of the fuel.
• Call 911: Even if there is only smoke at this point, you should call 911 so that rescue teams get to you before a fire starts or gets out of control.
• Step Away from the Car: Even if you only see smoke, you should attempt to get away from the car. Opening the hood may cause a fire to grow by introducing more oxygen to it. If there is smoke coming from the back of the car, you should get as far away as possible in case of explosion.

Help from an Evansville Car Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a car accident involving a vehicle fire, you could be entitled to compensation. Let one of our experienced Evansville car accident attorneys fight to get you what you deserve. Call Hensley Legal Group today for a free consultation, or contact us online.