Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on April 24, 2015
Fiery Crash Injures 3 and Temporarily Closes Highway 100 in Bellevue
An SUV collided with a pickup truck on Highway 100 in Nashville, Tennessee, Friday morning, causing three people to suffer serious injuries and one of the vehicles to burst into flames.
According to a report by wsmv.com, the accident occurred when the SUV crossed the yellow line into oncoming traffic on Highway 100 and struck the pickup truck head-on. The impact of the collision caused the SUV to catch on fire, while the driver of another pickup truck swerved to avoid the accident and ended up driving down an embankment.
Emergency crews were able to quickly extinguish the flames from the SUV and transport all three victims to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where they are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Due to the fire and debris from the accident, emergency crews were forced to close Highway 100 for several hours as they worked to clear the roadway. It has since reopened for traffic.
The Nashville car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law are thankful no one was seriously injured in this accident, and we hope the three victims are able to recovery from their injuries.
Safety Tips for Vehicle Fires after Car Accidents
Cars and trucks can store anywhere from 10 to 30 gallons of gasoline at any time. In addition, their engines also produce large amounts of heat and even sparks in order to run properly. Because of their flammable nature, it’s not unheard of for vehicles to catch on fire after serious accidents that damage the engine, fuel tank, or fuel lines.
The best course of action for drivers and passengers who are involved in car accidents where one or more vehicles produce flames include:
If you notice smoke or flames rising from your engine compartment immediately after the accident, turn off the car right away and get as far away from it as possible. Vehicle fires can spread quickly and the smoke can overwhelming you and your passengers. If the impact was severe enough, there’s a good chance that your fuel line shut off automatically. Never reactivate it if you suspect your vehicle may be in danger of catching on fire.
Fire requires oxygen to grow, and the act of opening your vehicle’s hood and exposing a small fire in the engine can cause the fire to both grow significantly and to also overwhelm you with smoke. In addition, burning components inside your engine compartment, including your battery, can produce toxic fumes and gases that are harmful to breathe.
Trying to put out a vehicle fire in the engine compartment with a handheld fire extinguisher or other consumer-level device is rarely worth the risk unless the fire is very small and easily contained. Otherwise, it’s best to wait for trained professionals to arrive on the scene and deal with the blaze. Firefighters know how to put out vehicle fires and have the equipment and resources to do safely and without exposing you to significant dangers.
Victims of car accidents that involve vehicle fires often experience serious injuries and their vehicles may be completely destroyed and unable to be repaired. At Matt Hardin Law, it’s our goal to fight for the rights of those victims and help them get compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repair or replacement costs.
If you were injured in a serious car accident, get in touch with our legal team today. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form.
