When involved in a car accident, usually the first reaction
is to get out of the vehicle. But what happens if you are involved in a car
accident where your vehicle hits a power pole and the lines are now on your car
and on the ground? This is not a rare occurrence and happens more times than
one would think. Due to the danger that power lines can pose, it’s important to
know how to be safe in case this scenario ever happens to you. Getting out of
your vehicle when power lines are down can be deadly. Since you can’t tell by
looking at a power line whether or not it is energized, it best to lean toward
the side of caution and avoid it just incase. Here are some helpful tips to
know if you ever find yourself in this situation:
-
Shuffle Your Feet- Electricity is always seeking
a way to get to the ground, and considering the human body is mostly made of
water, it is an easy conductor of electricity. If you MUST exit your vehicle
for any reason, make sure your steps are very small. Ant large step will also
act as a conductor and can cause electrocution.
-
If you are in a vehicle that a power line falls
across or near, DO NOT leave the vehicle. Call 911 and tell others to stay away
from the vehicle. If you must leave the vehicle due to a fire or other
emergency, jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid contact
with the live vehicle and the ground at the same time. This way you can avoid
becoming the path of electricity from the car to the ground. Once you are
outside the vehicle, shuffle away from it keeping both feet together in the
method explained above.
-
Don’t Touch – If you are in a vehicle with downed
power lines nearby and you see someone approaching to help, tell them to stay
away. Or if you see someone who is in direct contact with the downed line, do
not touch the person or you could become the next victim. No matter the case,
911 should be called.
-
If you happen to witness this accident occur to
someone else, don’t approach the accident scene. Although our first reaction is
often to lend a helping hand to those in need, a wrong move when power lines
are involved could cause you to be seriously injured as well. So stay in your
own car and call for help.
Keep in mind that even if a power line has landed on the
ground away from your vehicle, the area near your car may still be energized.
This is why the best course of action is to call 911 and wait for the local
electric utility crew to arrive to make sure the power is off. Just remember to
tell everyone to stay away and let the professionals handle it.
If
you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor,
Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield,
Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City
Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys
know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your
feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the
compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow
Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the
conversation by using #MCAA.
