A white 2008 Lincoln MKZ crashed into a gas pump on July 4, causing an explosion and leaving one male pedestrian burned. The victim remains in critical condition after the car accident but is stable. According to the local police department, the vehicle crossed the road and headed into oncoming traffic before driving off the road and into the gas station lot.
Local fire department representatives say that the pedestrian had left a nearby restaurant and made a purchase at the gas station before walking through the parking lot. The driver’s car headed toward the man – who ran to avoid being hit – and struck the gas pump, which burst into flames. The pedestrian was able to get away from the car but was caught in the fire. The victim suffered third degree burns on 40 percent of his body and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Weather conditions prevented him from being air transported to a burn unit until a later time.
According to fire department records, the gas station fire was put out within six minutes of receiving the alarm. Officials report that the station’s automatic gas shut off worked properly, which helped control the fire. The vehicle that crashed and started the fire was destroyed as was another nearby vehicle, which belonged to the gas station owner.
Unfortunately, car accidents involving innocent pedestrians cannot be completely prevented. For such situations, victims or family members may benefit from the advice of a personal injury attorney who deals in Tennessee law as it pertains to motor vehicle accidents and compensation. A lawyer of this type may be able to determine if a victim can file a lawsuit and the amount of monetary damages that may be sought.
Source: WBIR, “Man burned after car crashes into TN gas pump“, Philip Grey, July 05, 2013