Imagine being involved in a car accident and then smelling smoke. Then, you see flames and realize that your vehicle is on fire! A car accident is difficult enough. However, a vehicle accident resulting in fire is dangerous and potentially deadly. Unfortunately, car accidents resulting in car fires do happen right here in the Las Vegas area.
Here, we will go over some information about vehicle fires and safety tips for you and your family. However, if a vehicle fire injures you or a family member, consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle fire, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
Highway Vehicle Fires
The U.S. Fire Administration reported that 171,500 highway vehicle fires occur each year in the United States. These statistics are from 2014 to 2016.
These highway vehicle fires resulted in an annual average of:
- three hundred forty-five deaths (345);
- one thousand three hundred injuries (1,300); and
- $1.1 billion in property loss.
These fires accounted for thirteen percent of fires responded to by fire departments across the nation.
In its 2014-2016 Topical Fire Report Series on Highway Vehicle Fires, the U.S. Fire Administration found the following:
- Approximately one in eight fires responded to by fire departments across the nation is a highway vehicle fire. This does not include the tens of thousands of fire department responses to highway vehicle accident sites.
- Unintentional action was the leading cause of highway vehicle fires.
- Eighty-three percent of highway vehicle fires occurred in passenger vehicles.
- Sixty-two percent of highway vehicle fires originated in the engine, running gear or wheel area of the vehicle.
- Thirty-six percent of fatal highway vehicle fires originated in the engine, running gear or wheel area of the vehicle.
- Mechanical failure was the leading factor contributing to the ignition of highway vehicle fires (forty-five percent).
- Sixty percent of fatal vehicle fires were the result of a collision.
- The most common items first ignited in highway vehicle fires were:
- Insulation around electrical wiring (twenty-nine percent).
- Flammable liquids in the engine area (eighteen percent).
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Now that you know more about car fires, we hope that you are never the victim of one of these tragedies. If you are, you can rely on the experience of our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers. We will review the details of your case with you and let you know how we would proceed on your behalf. Learn more with a free initial consultation. Call now: (702) 857-6000.
Las Vegas Car Fires
During the second week of December 2019, the Las Vegas area had two-vehicle accidents resulting in fires.
On Friday, December 13, 2019, a fatal two-car accident resulted in a fire and killed two people in North Las Vegas. The accident occurred in the early morning hours. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
- A car traveling at a high rate of speed clipped a pickup then slammed into a light pole and burst into flames.
The Las Vegas Metro Police Department Traffic Bureau tweeted:
- Please avoid the area of Lake Mead/Pecos. The area is closed due to an early-morning crash involving two vehicles. Two occupants in one vehicle were killed. The other driver is not injured nor believed to be at fault. Please, find an alternative route this morning.
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Earlier in the week, on December 11, 2019, multiple vehicles caught fire at the intersection of Boulder Highway and Harmon Avenue. After a vehicle fled a traffic stop and collided with a truck, the vehicles caught fire. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the following:
- The crash happened after officers attempted to stop a vehicle in the area, which sped away on Boulder Highway, colliding with two trucks. When the car crashed with the second truck, both vehicles caught fire…
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If a car accident injures you or a loved one, consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately. Anthem Injury Lawyers are experienced, personal injury lawyers. We provide free initial consultations. If necessary, we will travel to you at home or in the hospital. We are located in Henderson but handle personal injury cases all over the Las Vegas area including North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Summerlin. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 for a free consultation.
How to Prevent a Car Fire
Car accidents happen unexpectedly and are not always preventable. However, you can help to lessen the chances of your vehicle catching on fire with these tips from the National Fire Protection Association:
- Have your car serviced regularly by a professionally trained mechanic. If you spot leaks, your car is not running properly, get it checked. A well-maintained vehicle is less likely to have a fire.
- If you must transport gasoline, transport only a small amount in a sealed certified gas can. Keep a window open for ventilation.
- Never transport gas cans and propane cylinders in the passenger compartment.
- Never park a car where flammables, such as grass, are touching the catalytic converter.
- Drive safely to avoid an accident.
The National Fire Protection Association’s tips include knowing the following car fire danger signs:
- Cracked or loose wiring or electrical problems, including a fuse that blows more than once.
- Oil or fluid leaks.
- Oil cap not on securely.
- Rapid changes in fuel or fluid level, or engine temperature.
Car fires can be tragic events. If you’ve been the victim of a car accident and fire, don’t wait to get legal representation. You need an experienced Las Vegas personal injury law firm that can help you receive the just compensation you deserve. With our free initial consultation, you can discuss your case with our attorneys. Call today to schedule your appointment: (702) 857-6000.
What to Do in a Car Fire
Your vehicle can catch on fire for a variety of reasons. A fire is surprising and scary. If you are in an accident or simply driving on the road, and your vehicle catches fire, safety should be your top concern.
Your vehicle can catch fire while moving on a roadway. The National Safety Council offers the following suggestions on what to do:
- Signal your intentions and move to the right lane.
- Get onto the shoulder or breakdown lane.
- Stop immediately.
- Shut off the engine.
- Get yourself and all other persons out of the vehicle.
- Get far away from the vehicle and stay away from it. Keep onlookers and others away.
- Warn oncoming traffic.
- Notify the fire department.
- Don’t attempt to try to put out the fire yourself. (The unseen danger is the possible ignition of fuel in the vehicle’s tank.)
Your vehicle can also catch fire when stopped in traffic or parked. The National Safety Council also offers the following safety suggestions:
- Shut off the engine.
- Get far away from the vehicle.
- Warn pedestrians and other vehicles to stay away.
- Notify the fire department.
- Don’t attempt to try to put out the fire yourself. (The unseen danger is the possible ignition of fuel in the vehicle’s tank.)
Seek Legal Advice
If you are injured in a fiery car accident, you should consult with a professional personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries,
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you. A lawyer can do the following:
- Evaluate your claim.
- Arrange for medical treatments.
- Obtain the necessary experts.
- File a personal injury lawsuit.
- Negotiate with insurers so you get the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Experienced Las Vegas Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been in a fiery auto accident in Nevada, you should speak to a licensed Nevada lawyer. The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you with your car accident case.
We offer free case evaluations. Our office is conveniently located in Henderson. We work with clients all over the Las Vegas Valley, including North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Spring Valley, Anthem, and the Strip. Contact us today for a free consultation at (702) 857-6000.
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