Police Officer Rescues Driver From Vehicle Engulfed in Flames
A brave Elk Grove police officer saved a man trapped in his burning vehicle on February 11, 2020, on Waterman Road. The officer, identified as Jarred Houston, had been called to investigate a crash at about 1:00 in the early morning hours when he saw that the front of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Houston, worried that someone was still in the car, sprung into action as captured on video from his body cam. The police officer ran to the car to see if it was occupied. He found that it was, and the person had moved over to the passenger side of the vehicle.
Elk Grove Police Officer Cites Training
Seeing that the fire was increasing in intensity, the police officer knew he needed to help the trapped occupant avoid catastrophic injuries. That is when the years of training and instinct kicked in. Houston used his baton to smash in the window after warning the occupant to back away from it and then pulled him from the car. Afterward, Houston took a few moments to talk about the incident, saying that it was something that any police officer would do. Houston remarked that in this situation, you have to act quickly, or something horrific could happen. The heroic police officer said he was only doing his job.
Burns in a Car Accident
Between the years 2006 and 2010, 17 car fires were reported every hour. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), car fires account for roughly 20 percent of all incendiary events in the country. There are a variety of causes, such as human error to mechanical or chemical reasons. Let’s look at some of the most common causes car fires happen:
- Design: While the design of a vehicle will not initiate a fire, faulty planning can set the stage for a car blaze. Fire hazards usually lead to a recall by the manufacturer. This can lead to a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
- Car accidents: Sometimes, a car accident can initiate a fire. If the accident involves a big enough impact, the engine, gas tank, and battery may be impacted. When this happens, hazardous fluid may spill and help generate a fire.
- Human error: Maintenance is an important part of avoiding a car fire. For instance, electrical wiring may be old and neglected, something that could generate a spark and set off a fire. Due to the horrific nature of burn injuries, the absence of maintenance can be considered negligent.
- Hybrid and electric vehicles: The biggest examples of a hybrid or electric vehicle fire involved Telsa S and Chevrolet Volt vehicles.
- Overheated engines: In some instances, the car engine can overheat to such an extent that the coolant and oil rises and spills over. The fluids can fall on hot areas of the engine compartment and ignite. This can be a design flaw such as that which happened with the Ford EcoBoost vehicles in 2012 when 90,000 cars were recalled. In other cases, there can be mechanical issues such as a loose seal or gasket.
- Catalytic converter: The catalytic converter can overheat when it is overworked. The engine may be operating inefficiently and taxing the catalytic converter, which causes it to heat up. This extra burden increases its operating temperature from 400 to 800 degrees above normal. This can cause the car’s floor to ignite.
How an Attorney Can Help
Proving negligence is crucial to any personal injury lawsuit. Our firm dispatches investigators to the accident site to search for evidence of liability. Our investigators interview witnesses, obtain video capture of the accident from traffic surveillance cameras, and use accident reconstruction techniques. We also review police reports for inaccuracies since they are widely used during negotiations with the insurer or in civil court. Once this information is gathered, it is released to our lawyers to build a strong case for our client.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Elk Grove
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove personal injury lawyer. If you have suffered an injury due to negligence, we are here to help. Call me at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400 for my free and friendly advice. You can also reach out to me online.
I have helped clients in Elk Grove in all types of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and motorcycle crashes.
I am a proud member of the following organizations:
Learn more about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/auto-automobile-blur-buildings-532001/
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