(702) 857-6000Do You Know About the Dangers of Electric Vehicle Fires for Emergency Responders?
Cars catch fire every day, and we rely on emergency responders to help extinguish the flames. But what happens when an electric vehicle catches fire? Are our emergency responders prepared to extinguish the flames of an electric vehicle fire? Maybe not.
In a recent investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board looked into the dangers of electric vehicle fires for emergency responders. Read on as we provide an overview of the investigation and its findings. We will also provide information on emergency response training. Also learn why you need an experienced Electric Vehicle Accident Lawyer if you are victim of Electric vehicle fire accident.
We hope the below discussion helps you understand the safety risks that electric vehicle fires pose for emergency responders. If you are involved in a car accident with an electric vehicle, contact an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will help to protect your rights and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Anthem Injury Lawyers in Las Vegas has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you win your personal injury case. Insurance companies are not motivated to pay you significant compensation. You need an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer to fight for your rights. Our personal injury lawyers offer over 25 years of experience winning compensation in personal injury cases. Your choice of a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer is one of the most consequential decisions you will ever make. Take the time to choose wisely, and select Anthem Injury Lawyers because we have the knowledge and expertise you need to receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. It is important to select a Las Vegas car accident lawyer who has a winning track record in cases like yours. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to schedule a free consultation.
Safety Risks to Emergency Responders from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in Electric Vehicles
Battery electric vehicles are powered solely by an electric motor fueled by rechargeable batteries. High-voltage lithium-ion batteries are the standard power source for battery electric vehicles. In response to growing concerns about electric vehicle fires, the National Transportation Safety Board has published a safety report entitled:
- Safety Risks to Emergency Responders from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in Electric Vehicles
For the report, the National Transportation Safety Board investigated the following:
- Three electric vehicle crashes resulted in post-crash fires.
- One noncrash fire involving an electric vehicle.
- National and international standards established to maximize the safety of electric vehicles.
Dangers to Emergency Responders
Electric vehicle fires pose a danger to everyone, including emergency responders. According to the report, fires in lithium-ion battery-powered electric vehicles pose two main dangers to emergency responders:
- The risk of electric shock from exposure to high-voltage connections in a damaged battery.
- The risk is that damaged cells in the battery will experience uncontrolled increases in temperature and pressure.
A battery that experiences uncontrolled increases in temperature and pressure poses a danger to everyone. It can lead to:
- Venting and combustion of toxic gases
- Cell rupture
- The release of projectiles
- Battery reignition/fire
Now that you know how and why an electric vehicle fire is dangerous, you may be wondering what emergency responders can do in response to the danger.
Fire Extinguishment
Fire extinguishment is typically the goal of emergency responders in response to an electric vehicle fire. The key to electric vehicle fire extinguishment is water. Lots and lots of water. Notably, the investigation made the following points about extinguishing agents:
- Use water or other standard agents for electric vehicle fires.
- Water does not pose an electrical hazard to firefighters.
- If a high-voltage battery catches fire, “it will require a large, sustained volume of water.” Depending on the battery’s size and location, it will require 2,600 gallons or more of water.
- Emergency responders should establish a sustained water supply.
We hope you never have to experience a car fire. We also understand that even the most cautious person can be injured in a car fire caused by a Las Vegas area car accident. If you or a loved one are injured in a car accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. The law firm Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of personal injury lawyers serving Las Vegas area residents. Some well-meaning people may say that you don’t need a Las Vegas car accident lawyer. Now is not the time to go it alone—you need the knowledge and expertise that an experienced Electric Vehicle accident lawyer provides. Call Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Safety Issues
As part of its investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board looked at national and international standards established to maximize the safety of electric vehicles. It also looked at the guidance supplied by electric vehicle manufacturers for emergency responders. The study identified the following two safety issues:
- Inadequacy of vehicle manufacturers’ emergency response guides for minimizing the risks to first and second responders posed by high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires in electric vehicles.
- Gaps in safety standards and research related to high-voltage lithium-ion batteries involved in high-speed, high-severity crashes.
Emergency Response Training
In response to the report, increased efforts have been made to educate emergency responders on how to respond to electric vehicle fires. The National Fire Protection Association has helped educate roughly 250,000 first responders on electric vehicle fires. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that there are still nearly a million more firefighters nationwide yet to take its recommended training.
What to Do if Your Car Catches Fire
Emergency responders are not the only ones at risk when a vehicle catches fire. If your vehicle catches fire, safety should be your top concern. The National Safety Council offers the following suggestions on what to do if your vehicle catches fire while driving:
- Signal your intentions and move to the right lane.
- Get onto the shoulder or break down lane.
- Stop immediately.
- Turn off the vehicle.
- Get yourself and all other persons out of the vehicle.
- Get far away from the vehicle and stay away from it.
- Keep onlookers and others away.
- Warn oncoming traffic.
- Call 911.
- Do not attempt to try to put out the fire yourself.
Seek Legal Advice
If you are injured in a fiery car accident, you should consult a professional personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries.
Experienced Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers
The law firm Anthem Injury Lawyers understands that a car accident can injure the most cautious individual. If another person has injured you, it is important that you seek experienced legal representation. Time is of the essence. Get in touch with our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers today, so we can begin pursuing significant compensation for you. If you cannot visit our Las Vegas area office, we can come to you to discuss your personal injury case.
We have over 25 years of experience specializing in personal injury claims. That is exactly the level of experience you need to win your personal injury case. Time is of the essence when pursuing vehicle accident cases. Do not wait. Now is the best time to schedule your appointment with us to discuss the details of your Las Vegas area car accident. Have our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers examine the facts and learn about your case. We will fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve as an accident victim. See why our electric vehicle accident lawyer will give you the best opportunity to win significant compensation. Call Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
