[09-20-2023] Kern County, CA – Van Caught Fire After Collision with Fire Engine on Highway 46

A van with two occupants burst into flames after colliding with a fire engine and rolled into a vegetation fire in Kern County on Wednesday morning, September 20, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 9:23 a.m. while Kern County Fire Department firefighters attempted to extinguish a vegetation fire on Highway 46.

The Ford Econoline van then crashed into one of the fire engines, rolled over, and landed along the intersection of Highway 46 and Kecks Road into the flames.

Immediately, firefighters rushed to extricate the two occupants from the burning vehicle. The two fire crews inside the fire engine that was struck were reportedly uninjured, while the condition of the two occupants inside the van was unspecified.

The cause of the crash and the factors involving it are under investigation.

Our Top Car Accident Lawyers in Kern County

It is beneficial and ideal to seek legal counsel from a personal injury attorney if you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident due to another person’s negligence.

Our experienced car accident attorneys provide free initial consultations where we assess the specific circumstances of your case, explain the legal procedures involved, and consider essential factors that could impact the potential compensation you may be eligible to receive.

You can rely on our most trusted Kern County car accident lawyers at Arash Law, under Arash Khorsandi, Esq., to help you with the insurance claim or effectively represent you in court proceedings. Our firm has recovered more than $500 Million for California clients and is widely acknowledged for its success and reputation as one of California’s leading personal injury law firms.

If you want to speak with one of our lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

Steps to Take Following A Car Accident

No one can predict a car accident, but you can prepare for one. Having a car accident checklist in your glove box can help you stay calm and organized after a car crash. It can tell you what to do and what not to do, and how best to protect your rights. When in doubt, give us a call. Keep our phone number, (888) 488-1391, in your phone or written down in case the worst occurs. You aren’t alone after a serious collision. Here’s what to do:

1. Stay Calm: Stay on the scene and make sure everyone is okay. Check yourself for injuries first, and then check others. Remain calm and do not admit fault.
2. Get to a Safe Location: Move disabled vehicles to the side of the road if you can. Put your emergency flashers on to help prevent further collisions. Get somewhere safe to wait for the police.
3. Call 911: Call the police to report your accident. Unless your crash was very minor, with no injuries or property damage, you should call the cops. Police can document the incident, gather information, and make it part of an official record.
4. Exchange Information: Swap names, phone numbers, and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Take photos of the vehicles, license plates, and other vital details if possible.
5. Do Not Admit Fault: Again, do not admit fault, even to the police. Stick only to the facts of what happened when speaking with a police officer. Be as detailed as possible in your description of the collision.
6. Seek Medical Attention: Go to the hospital or your primary doctor as soon as possible. Immediate medical care can help reduce the damages you suffer from injuries. Tests and scans can identify internal injuries that may not show symptoms yet.
7. Report to Your Insurance Company: Most insurers have time limits for how soon you must report an accident in California. Call quickly and follow the agent’s directions for reporting your crash.
8. Speak to Insurance Adjusters: As soon as the day of your accident, you may receive a phone call from the other party’s insurance company. You may speak to the claims adjuster but do not give away any more information than is absolutely necessary. Do not record a statement or accept an insurance settlement offer until you speak to an attorney.
9. Create a File: Keep accident-related documents together and organized. Your file should include a copy of the police report, medical bills, the other driver’s information, injury treatment plans, and any other documents you’ve collected regarding the incident.
10. Call Our Car Accident Law Firm at (888) 488-1391: We offer free consultations so you can discuss your car crash without risk or obligation. We can determine whether your case has merit, help you talk to insurance companies, and assist you in filing a personal injury claim if necessary.

Follow this checklist and you can come away from a disastrous car accident with hope for the future. You would have protected your rights, said nothing to place blame on yourself, and sought immediate medical attention for injuries. These are actions that can help should you need to file a claim with the California civil courts to pursue damage compensation.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Car Accident Statistics

Unintentional injuries and fatalities caused by vehicles have slightly decreased nationwide since 2021. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, despite a decrease of 0.3% in accidents from 2021, the numbers are still around the 40,000s, with 42,795 total fatalities by 2022. Compared to the number of fatalities in 2020 of 46,980, the numbers have been on a relatively positive and steady decrease.

According to the National Safety Council, in 2020, automobile accidents were the cause of 42,338 fatalities, exceeding the 39,107 recorded the year before. 3,847 fatalities in California alone were attributable to traffic-related events.

Single-car crashes accounted for 59% of these incidences, while multi-vehicle collisions comprised 41%. Side impacts were the most fatal of these crashes, which also caused many injuries. There were approximately 8,000 side crash reports made in 2020.