Legal Safe Driving Guide for California Fire Zones

Driving through California fire zones can be extremely dangerous and emotionally unsettling. Just the smoke alone from a distant fire can eliminate visibility, making even the most recognizable routes impossible to navigate. In most fire zones, power lines will be down, and debris may be blocking escape routes. For these reasons, it’s important to stay calm, stay vigilant, and have a plan for a safe evacuation.

In this article, we’ll cover some essential tips for being prepared for an evacuation and what you can expect when driving through a fire zone.

Tips for Evacuating a Fire Zone

Driving as fast as you can away from a roaring fire may seem like the safest decision, but it’s actually the most dangerous, as you’ll be putting your own life, as well as others’, in danger. The following are precautions you should take when driving away from a fire zone:

• Drive slowly with your lights on. Watch out for pedestrians, dogs, or bicyclists fleeing the area. Always approach a traffic signal that is out as a 4-way stop to avoid an unexpected accident.
• Avoid downed power lines at all costs and report them to police.
• Drive with your vents closed and avoid allowing your car to sit near flames. Vehicles do not offer protection from radiant heat.
• Wear heavy clothing in case you must get out of the vehicle. Hot embers will most likely be swirling through the air, and an extra layer of clothing can keep you safe from burns if you must exit the vehicle.

How to Prepare for Driving Away from a California Fire Zone

Driving through or away from a California fire zone can be extremely dangerous. Thick smoke can reduce visibility, and certain exit routes may be eliminated by fallen branches, downed power lines, or other debris, blocking flows of traffic. So, being prepared and staying vigilant are the best defenses. Here are some tips for being prepared for a California fire zone evacuation:

• Carry at least one (preferably two) fire extinguishers in your vehicle. Make sure they’re regularly inspected and it’s on green, not on white or red.
• Don’t drive back to save your belongings. One of the leading causes of death from fire is people who return to save their things rather than flee the area.
• Keep a safety kit in your truck to keep gloves, a change of clothes, a flashlight, and basic tools on hand.
• Know the best evacuation routes for your area ahead of time and formulate a plan in case you’re forced to evacuate.

What to Know About Driving Through Fire Zones

According to the Congressional Research Service, the United States averages around 61,410 wildfires, burning about 7.2 million acres each year. For families driving through areas impacted by wildfires, there are some essential things you can do to stay safe before hitting the road and driving through wildfires:

• Stay informed: The First Street Foundation offers a tool called Risk Factor, where you can input your address to view data about your area’s potential fire risks. This tool is best used for long-term planning and not for up-to-the-minute updates about current fire conditions.
• Know where to get reliable information: CA.gov/incidents gives up-to-date information on active fire conditions in California. So, if you’re area is experiencing a wildfire, this is a great resource to know how susceptible your home is to dangerous fire zones.
• Listen for evacuation routes and destinations: routes and destinations will most likely be provided by the local government via text message or through social media. Local emergency management teams may close roads and direct traffic toward shelters. It’s important to listen to all instructions as they can save your life during an evacuation or navigating your way out of a fire zone.

How to Keep Your Pets Safe Driving Through a Fire Zone

Our pets are like family, and ensuring their safety is just as important as everyone else’s. They just require a different form of protection. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe and calm if you’re traveling through a wildfire with them:

• Keep windows closed to keep them from breathing in any smoke, and reassure them, as they will most likely be anxious due to the heightened state of an evacuation through a fire zone.
• Consider providing your animal with a mask if the smoke becomes too thick and they begin having trouble breathing. Also, if any ash is in the air, a mask can help filter it out.
• Always have an emergency kit for your animals that includes their food, medications, and a copy of their vaccination records. Just as your life may be uprooted, so will theirs, which is why it is important to make sure they’re just as prepared as you.
• It can help to secure your animal in a carrier or crate to prevent them from harming themselves by running away. Driving through a fire zone can be especially stressful to animals, and a secure area will help to eliminate distractions and reduce anxiety.
• Certain shelters may not take animals, so it’s important to stay updated on evacuation instructions and know where it is safe to take your animal, or animals, during an evacuation.

What are My Legal Options if I’m Injured in a California Fire Zone?

If you suffer injuries in a California fire zone, you may be eligible to receive personal injury damages, depending on the details of your injury. For that reason, it is important to consult with a Personal Injury Attorney at Maison Law if you’ve sustained any type of physical injury in a California fire zone.

Fire zone injuries have the potential to negatively impact your ability to earn money, participate in normal activities, and damage your mental health due to the stress and trauma of the event. In certain cases, you can suffer permanent disability from a fire zone injury. At Maison Law, we can help you pursue compensation for your damages through a personal injury lawsuit.

A personal injury lawsuit is a formal demand for compensation for losses. If a person suffers harm or injury due to another party’s negligence, then they can take legal action to recover damages for medical costs, lost wages, and emotional trauma. The process typically goes as follows:

• An individual gets hurt
• The injured victim hires a personal injury lawyer
• A claim is filed with the insurance
• If the insurance does not offer a fair settlement, the victim’s attorney will build their case to prove the value of their damages and negotiate
• If the insurance still does not settle, then a personal injury lawsuit will be filed
• Both sides will gather evidence and present their cases at settlement negotiations
• If no settlement is reached, then the case goes to trial

When Do I Need a Fire Zone Injury Lawyer?

Not every person impacted by a wildfire will need legal assistance for their insurance claim. If the wildfire has affected your personal finances, liberties, property, land, family members, or personal well-being, it is recommended to file a claim with your insurance.

However, you may need an attorney if your insurance claim is:

• Delayed: Under California Law, insurance companies are required to handle claims quickly. If there is a delay, then a lawyer can look into your claim and make sure the insurance company meets its legal obligation.
• Denied: If your claim is denied without good reason, then it is time to consult with a lawyer. Insurance companies should state their reason for denying your claim that is clear and fair.
• A low settlement: If the settlement doesn’t cover all of your damages, an attorney can help you get a fair settlement by working with fire damage experts and negotiating a payout from the insurance on your behalf.
• Liability: disputes over who or what caused the fire can lead to a delayed claim. A lawyer can help you prove liability and get you what you’re owed.
• Confusing legal and policy issues: if your policy is confusing or doesn’t make sense, then a lawyer can explain your coverage and ensure your insurance company is following regulations.

Contact Maison Law | California Fire Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has suffered damages due to a Fire Zone Injury, the attorneys at Maison Law are ready to support victims who have not received proper coverage from their homeowners insurance companies. Not every victim will need a lawyer for their insurance matter, but if you’d like to find out what your claim is worth, reach out to our lawyers for a no-risk, no-obligation free case consultation.