What to Do If Your Car Catches Fire

When a vehicle catches fire, your first instinct may be to panic. Knowing what steps to take in advance can help you remain calm and ensure that you and everyone in the vehicle remains safe. The State Fire Marshal’s Office Texas Department of Insurance reports that vehicle fires account for 16% of all fires in Texas in a year.

No amount of prevention can avoid all car fires, but you can avoid many fires by taking some reasonable precautions.

Many vehicle fires result from poor maintenance. Fuel lines wear out and driving can damage them. A regular checkup once a year can help ensure your car is less likely to catch fire in the first place. If you smell fuel while driving the car, something is wrong. Have any suspicious fuel smells investigated immediately, as well as any fluid leaks.

Electrical fires are another common source of car fires. You might smell insulation that is heating up or find that a fuse blows out on a regular basis. Loose wiring or exposed insulation poses a risk of an electrical fire in your car. This damage often results from mice chewing the insulation as well as from regular wear and tear over time. Have a mechanic check into any suspected electrical problems promptly.

Human error, unfortunately, is a frequent cause of car fires as well. When no one replaces the oil cap after changing the oil or when someone spills oil on the engine when refilling the vehicle, the fluids can easily catch fire under the hood. Make sure your mechanic is certified to work on your vehicle and has a good track record for service and safety.

Remaining calm is the most important thing to remember. Unlike what you may see on TV or the movies, cars rarely explode. Signal and immediately move over to a shoulder or safe stopping place. Don’t forget to place the car in park and turn off the ignition. In the panic of the moment, many people forget these important steps and often make the situation worse by simply jumping out of the vehicle and leaving it running; some people keep driving down the road (this is not a good idea).

Make sure everyone is out of the vehicle and clear of the car, away from flames and upwind from any dangerous fumes. Call 911 and wait for firefighters to come and put out the fire.

If the fire is under the hood, do not open the hood. You will only add oxygen the fire needs to keep going. If you have a fire extinguisher, you may unlatch the hood and spray under the hood. However, it is never a good idea to raise the hood on your own.

If the fire is coming from the back, you should put even more distance between you and the vehicle in case the fire catches in the fuel tank. While it is unlikely to cause an explosion, if the fire is in the rear where the fuel tank is located, it is a possibility. Maintain a safe distance from the car.

Remember, no item in the vehicle is worth your life. Get clear of the vehicle as soon as possible and do not go back for any personal items you may have left in it. Wait until the fire department has extinguished the fire before trying to retrieve any personal items left in the car.

The post What to Do If Your Car Catches Fire appeared first on GES Injury Attorneys.