Burn injuries can require a significantly long recovery period, depending on their severity. One of the sources of these injuries is a vehicle fire. Vehicles can catch fire for a variety of reasons.
Even though, during an accident, fluids can leak, and any spark could cause a fire, most vehicle fires do not occur from crashes. However, you must always be aware that it could happen under this circumstance. Ordinarily, electrical and mechanical issues cause more vehicle fires than anything else does.
Do you know what to do?
The point is that vehicle fires can happen at any time, and it may help to have some idea regarding what to do. The faster the fire spreads, the more you are at risk of suffering serious burn injuries. The following tips could help you escape serious burn injuries if the fire originates while you are driving your vehicle:
- Get your vehicle off to the side of the road as quickly as possible.
- Make sure you turn the engine off. Many people forget this step, and failing to do so could continue to feed the fire due to the heat of the engine and/or sparks from the electrical systems.
- Get yourself and anyone riding with you out of the vehicle quickly but safely, and move away from the vehicle.
- Only once you are clear of the vehicle should you call 9-1-1.
Hopefully, you will get out of the vehicle unscathed. Once you are away from it, you may want to assess yourself, along with anyone else who was in your vehicle, to make sure no one suffered any burns since adrenalin and shock may prevent you from realizing you are burned.
More than likely, you should not go back to your vehicle at this point. With all the flammable fluids, electrical systems and heat in your vehicle, the flames could spread quickly, and you may not be able to escape a second time.
If the fire started after a crash
If your vehicle caught fire after a crash, your injuries could be severe, especially if you cannot get out quickly. If you were unconscious for any length of time or trapped, it could take even longer for you to escape your vehicle and the fire. If you have the opportunity, follow the same tips above. The faster you leave your vehicle, the better.
What happens in the aftermath of the fire?
Burn injuries can take a long time to heal, and you may end up with disfiguring scars and extensive pain. If the fire resulted from the negligence of another driver, a manufacturer, a dealership or a mechanic, you may have the ability to pursue compensation for your injuries and the other financial losses and damages that usually accompany a serious accident with serious injuries.