Automobile accidents are one cause of vehicle fires, but they are not the only cause. Did you know that collisions cause only about five percent of vehicle fires? Many vehicle fires are caused by the failure or malfunction of one or more of the vehicle’s mechanical or electrical components. Over one hundred and seventy thousand vehicle fires are reported in the United States each year, which makes vehicle fires a safety concern that every driver and passenger should know about.
Vehicle fires can start quickly and without warning. If you notice smoke coming through the air vents of your vehicle or flames or smoke coming out of the hood, find a safe place to pull over right away. Turn your car off, to stop the flow of fuel within the vehicle. Exit your vehicle quickly, and ask anyone else who is in the car with you to do the same. Do not open the hood or the trunk if you suspect that the fire is in one of those areas – increased access to air can cause a fire to burn even more intensely. Do not try to put the fire out – people are often injured when they try to put out vehicle fires, and some people have died trying to extinguish vehicle fires. Make sure that you and anyone who is with you move to an area that is at least one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet away from your vehicle and call for help. If you or the others with you do not have a cell phone, or if all of you left your phones in the vehicle, flag down someone driving by and ask them to call for help. Do not return to your car to retrieve items that are inside of it.
Some vehicle fires are preventable. Keeping your car, truck, or SUV maintained properly could prevent a vehicle fire. Check fluid levels regularly, and get any leaks repaired promptly. Many problems that lead to vehicle fires, such as frayed electrical wires or shorts in a vehicle’s electrical system may cause fuses to blow repeatedly or make a smell of burning plastic. As you are driving, be sure to look at your gauges occasionally. If your vehicle experiences sudden changes in the fuel or oil level or a sudden rise in engine temperature, that could be a sign of a problem.
When multiple fires are reported by people who own similar vehicles, the manufacturer of those vehicles must determine if a faulty component involved in the production and assembly of the cars is the reason that they are catching fire. If a vehicle manufacturer discovers that a component used in the manufacture of some of its vehicles is causing fires, the automaker must recall any cars manufactured using that part. They must then repair the affected vehicles with a part that does not create the risk of fire, at no cost to the vehicle owners. If you receive a recall notice for a car that you own, it is essential that you make time to have the recall work done as soon as possible, whether the recall is because of a fire risk or some other safety concern.
If a vehicle fire hurt you, we’re here to help. Call the Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys of Barrett Law PLLC at 1 (800) 707-9577 to arrange an initial consultation.