When Car Accidents Cause Power Outages
When you think of power outages, you may think of heavy winds or a storm. Car accidents can also lead to power outages, especially when vehicles collide with utility poles, transformers, or junction boxes. These components are all critical in ensuring that you have power, so even a seemingly minor impact can knock out electricity for hundreds or even thousands of customers.
Vehicles can also knock over utility poles entirely, causing power lines to break. Power poles often carry multiple lines for not only electricity, but also for phone and internet. This means that these power outages can cause a lot of chaos, but the good news is that power is usually restored within a few hours, unless replacement equipment is needed or if weather conditions complicate repairs.
These crashes can spark electrical fires and cause transformers to explode. The live wires may also fall onto the road or nearby properties. This creates a significant safety hazard for bystanders, first responders, and nearby residents. Emergency crews usually secure the scene first to prevent electrocution or further damage, while utility companies are dispatched to isolate the problem and begin repairs.
To prevent this kind of damage, local governments often reinforce utility poles in high-risk areas or bury lines underground when possible. However, many areas still rely on above-ground systems that are vulnerable to impact.
What to Do if You Witness a Crash That Brings Down a Power Line
If you see a car accident that brings down a power line, the most important thing to do is to keep your distance. Don’t approach the downed power line or any objects that may have come into contact with it. Always treat downed power lines as energized, even if they don’t appear to be sparking or smoking. Instruct anyone nearby to stay away from the downed line and the surrounding area.
You should also call for help. Call 911 immediately to report the downed power line. You may also need to contact your local utility company to report the downed line.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and your vehicle has contacted a downed power line, stay inside the vehicle until emergency responders arrive and the area is deemed safe. If there is a fire or other immediate danger, jump clear of the vehicle with both feet together, and then shuffle or hop away from the vehicle, keeping your feet together.
You need to do this because downed power lines can energize the ground around them, creating a “step potential” where electricity can flow through your body if you have one foot closer to the energized ground than the other. By keeping your feet together, you minimize the risk of step potential.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Power outages can be caused by car accidents when a vehicle hits a utility pole. These crashes can be dangerous, causing live wires to fall and increasing the risk of electrocution.
A Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can assist you with your post-accident tasks. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a consultation today by calling (281) 347-3247 or filling out the online form.
Source:
valleypowersystems.com/blog/8-common-causes-of-power-outages/#:~:text=Car%20Accidents,restored%20within%20a%20few%20hours.
