What Should I Do After a Fiery Accident in California?
A car crash is bad enough, but fires make these accidents even more dangerous. If you survived a fiery accident in California, you are lucky to be alive. However, you may be left with life-altering consequences. In the aftermath of such a traumatic event, you may be wondering what happens next. How do you pursue compensation for your medical expenses? What if you never heal from your third-degree burns? How do you recover psychologically from the memories of your crash? All of these questions are perhaps best answered by legal professionals. Seeking guidance from Redlands car accident attorneys can provide clarity on your legal options. Our car accident law firm in Redlands is dedicated to helping victims navigate their recovery and pursue the compensation they deserve.
Fiery Crashes are All Too Common in California
Although a fiery crash might seem like a freak accident, traffic authorities understand how common these incidents are. Cars burst into flames all the time in California, and numerous fiery crashes occur each week. Three such incidents occurred within a single week in May of 2024.
The first incident occurred on State Route 76 near Fallbrook. It started when a driver veered into oncoming traffic, causing a collision with a Jeep. A third vehicle sideswiped the Jeep in an effort to avoid a collision, but the first two vehicles suffered the most damage. Police say that both of these vehicles caught fire after the initial impact, engulfing at least five people in flames.
Both drivers died, along with two passengers in the Jeep. A third passenger from the Jeep was pulled out of the burning vehicle with what police described as “major injuries.” One can assume that these injuries included serious burns. There is no word on why the vehicle that sparked the collision veered left – but it was likely due to fatigue, intoxication, or distraction.
Two days later, a Tesla carrying six people went through a red light, hit a curb, and flew into the air before smashing into a power pole. Police in Pasadena say that the vehicle flew for “several hundred feet” before impacting the pole, implying an extremely high rate of speed before impact. Three people – including the driver – died in the collision. The three other passengers were ejected out of the back window, and police say that only one of four individuals in the back seat was wearing their seatbelt.
The fact that the vehicle impacted a power pole created additional hazards for the entire neighborhood. Although there were no reports of an electrical fire, the impact caused over 600 homes and businesses to lose power. The root cause of the accident is not clear, but police say that alcohol may have played a role. Of course, questions about Tesla’s self-driving technology tend to arise after these kinds of crashes.
One day later, a teen driving a stolen vehicle crashed in Long Beach. The boy was apparently trying to pass a semi-truck when he lost control and veered directly into the path of the truck. The semi then impacted the side of the vehicle, causing it to burst into flames. The teen suffered fatal injuries in the collision. Along with the teen driver, the vehicle was filled with three minor passengers. – the youngest of whom was only 13 years old. Video footage appears to show the teens “screaming for their lives” while being pulled from the vehicle by brave police officers. In such tragic and complex cases, the need for a car accident lawyer becomes evident to help navigate the legal aftermath.
What Causes Fiery Crashes?
People often forget that vehicles are filled with highly flammable fuel. All it takes is a slight rupture in the gas tank, and these vehicles suddenly face the serious threat of major explosions. A single spark can ignite a gas tank, instantly engulfing drivers, passengers, and nearby pedestrians in flames.
One might assume that an electric vehicle does not suffer from this type of threat, but numerous crashes have shown that EVs face almost exactly the same hazards. An electric battery is a highly flammable component, and it has shown a worrying tendency to ignite. Sometimes, these batteries burst into flames for no apparent reason. In other cases, they ignite while charging. EV batteries may pose additional fire risks due to the toxic, chemical nature of lithium-ion fuel cells. These fumes may cause permanent damage even after brief periods of inhalation.
In other cases, flammable or explosive cargo can cause fiery crashes. These accidents tend to occur after collisions with semi-trucks, which may carry a range of dangerous materials. Perhaps the most flammable and explosive truck is a fuel tanker truck. These types of trucks carry large fuel tanks, and they may cause truly catastrophic events when they crash.
Why are Fiery Crashes So Dangerous?
Fiery crashes are dangerous because they cause secondary threats after initial impacts. Even if you manage to survive a serious impact from another vehicle, you may be vulnerable to fire-related injuries. The most obvious hazard is a burn, but smoke inhalation is statistically more dangerous. In fact, the majority of fire-related deaths are caused by smoke inhalation – not burns.
Some motorists may become incapacitated or stuck after initial impacts. For example, you might find yourself trapped in the wreckage of your vehicle – unable to escape the flames rising up around you. A crash might also knock a motorist unconscious, leaving them totally vulnerable to fire-related threats. Finally, a crash might cause various incapacitating injuries that prevent occupants from escaping flames. These might include leg fractures, spinal injuries, or organ damage.
While first responders are incredibly courageous in their attempts to rescue people from burning vehicles, sometimes they arrive too late. In other cases, they may only extricate motorists after the damage has been done. This damage might include disfiguring burns that cause self-esteem issues for the rest of the victims’ lives.
Contact the Redlands Car Accident Attorneys at Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP
If you’re serious about taking effective legal steps after your fiery crash in California, contact the car accident law firm Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP. Our experienced Redlands car accident lawyers can help you pursue justice and compensation. We understand how dangerous fiery wrecks can be. During a consultation, you can discuss your next steps in more detail. If someone else caused your accident, we can help you prove it. Book your consultation today by calling us at 909-894-0812 to get started.
Stephen Levine, is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense — an honor achieved by only the top criminal law attorneys in California. Mr. Levine has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense and family law serving Southern California, and is a highly regarded Super Lawyer as well as AV Rated attorney.