Fire resulting from an automobile wreck can cause severe injury or death. An off-duty Mississippi police officer recently rescued a woman from a burning vehicle after her car collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer. The early morning accident happened on the westbound side of I-20, near the I-220 exit.

Automobile accidents can cause injury or death in many ways. One dangerous and potentially deadly aspect of many motor vehicle wrecks is fire. When vehicles collide, gasoline, diesel fuel, and other flammable substances are often released from the parts of the vehicles that usually contain them, and they may come in contact with heat sources, creating the risk of fire or explosion. The risk of fire is one reason why it is critical that anyone who is involved in a car crash exit their vehicle if they can do so safely and move to a location that is away from the road and the wrecked cars.

Vehicle fires caused by collisions can start at any time, even as soon as the moment of impact, and they can get out of control quickly. Automobiles contain many flammable and combustible materials, and a vehicle that begins to burn may be destroyed by fire before rescue workers can arrive at the crash site and extinguish the blaze. Vehicle occupants who are unable to exit their vehicles because of injury or unconsciousness, or because they are trapped inside by crushed doors or other things are at risk of being hurt or killed by flames, smoke, or an explosion. Severe burns and smoke inhalation are common injuries in automobile accidents where one or more of the wrecked vehicles catch fire. Additionally, all people who are involved in a crash that leads to a fire may suffer psychological trauma in connection with the horrific event in addition to any physical injuries caused by the wreck.

While not every automobile accident results in a fire, drivers and passengers should be aware that a fire can start at an accident scene at any time. If you have already exited your vehicle and you are waiting in a safe place for help to arrive, it may be tempting to return to your car to retrieve things that are inside of it. Do not return to your vehicle. Doing so creates a risk of being hurt or killed by a fire or an explosion. Wait for help to arrive, and allow the emergency workers to assess the accident scene and take any necessary action. Only return to your vehicle after a rescue worker tells you that it is safe to do so.

Automobile accidents and fires that can sometimes result from them can cause severe injury or death. If you were hurt or if a family member died in a Mississippi automobile accident, call the Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC, at 1 (601) 790-1505.