If you were injured by a power line that was “downed” as a result of a car crash in Detroit, you should hire an experienced electrocution lawyer who specializes in this complex area of law to protect your legal rights and help you recover compensation for your pain and suffering as well as your medical bills and lost wages.
A downed power line is a high voltage electrical wire that has fallen from a utility pole and landed on a vehicle as a result of a car crash. If a power line falls on your car it is a particularly dangerous situation. If this happens to you, stay in your car (if it’s safe), call 9-1-1 and the utility company, and wait until first responders or utility workers have told you it’s safe to exit. If you must evacuate before help arrives, jump clear of your car without touching it and shuffle to safety.
If you are unable to avoid an electrical injury after the crash, you may be able to sue the driver who caused the crash, or the power company if the line fell because of poor maintenance or aging infrastructure. An experienced electrocution accident lawyer can help you determine fault, assess your injuries, file a lawsuit, and negotiate a full and fair settlement. And because these cases are handled on a “contingency” basis, you won’t pay a dime unless you win!
What is a downed power line?
A downed power line is a high voltage electrical wire that has fallen from a transmission tower or utility pole and landed on the ground or an object such as a house, a tree or a car.
Why is a downed power line so dangerous?
You don’t have to come in contact with a downed power line to suffer an electrocution or electrical shock injury. In fact, being within 35 feet of a downed line can cause severe injuries. This phenomenon is known as “step potential,” which means that as you walk or “step” toward downed line you are entering invisible, rippling rings of increasingly higher voltage. This can cause the electrical current to surge through your body.
Can you drive over a downed power line?
You should never drive over a downed power line as it could get caught in your wheels or undercarriage, causing you to pull down other power lines, electrical equipment, or utility poles. In addition, the extreme heat from a downed wire could cause your tires to melt or catch fire.
What if a power line falls on my car?
Having a power line fall on your car during or after an accident is a scary and extremely dangerous situation. If you are in or around a traffic collision and a power line falls on your car, stay inside the car if you can, call 9-1-1 and the power company, and wait for first responders and/or utility workers to secure the scene and let you know when it’s safe. If it’s not safe to stay in your vehicle and you must exit, here are some suggestions for doing so:
- Remove any loose clothing
- Open the vehicle door without stepping out
- Stand with both feet together on the edge of the door
- Fold your arms across your chest or hold them against your sides
- Jump clear of the vehicle with your feet as close together as possible and jump out without making any contact with it (you must not be touching the vehicle when your feet hit the ground)
- Shuffle away from your vehicle by keeping your feet close together on the ground at all times (do not begin to walk normally until you are at a safe clear distance, i.e., at least 35 feet from the downed line)
What to do if you encounter a downed power line?
If you happen to encounter a downed power line, there are several things you should do, including:
- Call 9-1-1
- Call the power company
- If the downed power line fell on your vehicle and you are still inside, stay put until first responders or the power company tells you it’s ok to exit. If it’s not safe to stay inside your vehicle, jump out without touching the vehicle or the wire and shuffle to safety.
- If the downed power line fell on your vehicle and you are standing outside of it, shuffle to a safe area.
Can I sue if I’m injured by a downed power line caused by a car crash?
You may be able to sue for an electrical injury caused by a power line that was downed in a car accident. You could potentially sue the at-fault driver if he or she was negligent in causing the crash. You may also potentially sue the power company if their equipment failed due to aging infrastructure or they were negligent in maintaining the line. In Michigan, you would start by filing a no-fault claim with your own auto insurance provider. If your injuries are severe and your medical bills and lost wages exceed your coverage, you can consult an electrocution lawyer and look at the possibility of filing your lawsuit for pain and suffering and excess economic damages.
Is it worth hiring a lawyer if I’m injured by a downed wire?
If you were hurt by a downed power line on your car after a crash in Detroit, hiring an experienced lawyer who specializes exclusively in electrocution accidents is one of the first things you should do. These are highly complex cases that shouldn’t be handled by an inexperienced personal injury who takes whatever type of case comes through the doors. The lawyer you choose can make or break your case, and choosing poorly could potentially cost you hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars. An experienced slip and fall lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation of your case, gather and preserve important evidence, determine liability and damages, and negotiate a maximum settlement with the insurance company and insurance defense lawyer. And of course it’s free to consult with an experienced attorney, so there’s no risk in hiring the best one you can find.
Named a “Leader in the Law” and “Lawyer of the Year” by Michigan’s largest legal newspaper for his record-breaking auto accident verdicts, settlements and advocacy work in preventing wrecks, Steven Gursten heads Michigan Auto Law—a firm dedicated to serious motor vehicle accident injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits.
