Fire accidents are the fifth leading cause of death in America according to the Fire and Accident Causation Technical Services (FACTS). Recent statistics show that over 3,000 people die in fire accidents annually and another 15,000 are injured by fire accidents.

There are many instances in which injury and property losses can be caused by fire accidents. Generally the fire accidents which cause injury and property damage are the responsibility of people. Fire accidents can result in the destruction of homes or burn injuries causing devastating loss to people and possessions.

A person, or group of people, that is liable for a fire accident by intentional behavior or negligence may be held financially responsible for any damages, injuries and suffering which occurs as a result of the fire accident.

According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA) teaching people basic facts about fire safety can reduce fire accidents resulting in death or injury. However, no matter how many precautions are taken to prevent fire accidents they will occasionally happen and it is best to be fully prepared. This preparation for a fire accident should include the planning of escape routes and making family members (especially children) aware of what to do in the event of a fire accident or emergency.

Fire accidents can do property damage and cause personal injury to their victims. Fire accidents are one of the leading causes of burn injuries. Typically, burn injuries are the cause of extensive pain and suffering, sometimes resulting in disability and requiring a long rehabilitation effort.

If you are a victim of a fire accident, please contact an experienced attorney who can assist you in recovering your losses.

The most common types of fire accidents that cause personal injury and property damage are forest fire accidents, residential fire accidents, motor vehicle fire accidents and work related fire accidents.

The rights of fire accident victims to pursue compensation for their losses are protected by fire accident liability laws on both the federal and state level. Additionally, fire accidents caused by intentional fires may result in criminal charges of those responsible.

Arson, or intentional fires, make up a large percentage of the fire accidents that do damage to people and property.

Another type of fire accident is a forest fire accident, which can burn millions of acres and take enormous resources to contain and extinguish. Additionally, forest fire accidents can cause extensive property damage, personal injury and even cause fatalities.

Any person or group of people who intentionally, or negligently, start a forest fire accident can be held liable for the costs of fighting the fire and all personal and property damages resulting from the fire accident by state and federal laws. In the case that little damage was caused by the fire accident the individual responsible may be cited and fined.

Approximately half of all residential fire accidents are the result of cooking accidents, smoking fire accidents, accidents caused by children playing with fire or intentional fires (arson). Other fire accidents are caused by defective products and electrical or water heater induced fire accidents. An estimated twenty percent of all residential fire accidents are started by appliances and other electrical causes.

If you are the victim of a fire accident, it is advisable to contact a qualified lawyer experienced in fire accident law who can investigate the cause of the fire accident to determine your legal option and rights.

Fire accidents can also be related to occupations. Contact with defective equipment, chemicals, flammable materials, explosive devices, high powered electrical lines and other occupational hazards can all lead to fire accidents.

If negligence or intentional wrongdoing is involved, a victim’s employer may be held liable for the fire accident related losses.

Another major cause of personal injury and property damage is automobile fire accidents. Mechanical or design defects are the number one cause of automobile fire accidents. Such defects are the responsibility of the vehicle manufacturer or repairperson and they can be held liable for losses related to the fire accident.

Sixty four percent of the fatalities resulting from vehicle fire accidents occur after collision with another vehicle or object, posing a threat to all people present or in the vicinity.

Fire Safety and Prevention Tips

1. Every family member should know what to do in the case of a fire accident. To assist in this planning you may wish to draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room in the home.

2. Test windows and doors to make sure they are easy to open, as well as wide and tall enough for all family members to fit through in the case of a fire accident.

3. Decide upon and communicate a meeting place outside the house where family members can meet safely after escaping the fire accident.

4. Have children practice alerting family members of a fire accident.

5. Place a bell and flashlight in each bedroom to assist in alerting the household of a fire accident and escaping in the dark.