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A car crashed into a building in Northeast Washington, DC early on December 26, leading to a fire and partial collapse of the structure. The incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. on Bunker Hill Road NE, near a day care center that hadn’t yet opened for the day.
According to news reports, the driver’s vehicle ended up completely inside the building. While the building was empty at the time, the driver was trapped in her burning vehicle. Firefighters provided oxygen to the trapped woman while simultaneously fighting the fire and working to extract her from the car. She was eventually rescued and taken to the hospital with serious injuries but was expected to survive.
Witnesses described hearing a loud crash and seeing bricks falling from the building before the fire started. Though nearby day care workers attempted to help with fire extinguishers, the flames proved too intense.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the DC police and fire departments.
If you find yourself trapped in a car after an accident, your first priority should be staying calm and assessing your situation. Check yourself for injuries and try to remain as still as possible especially if you’re experiencing neck or back pain. If you have a phone within reach, call 911 immediately. Even if you can’t speak, keep the line open – dispatchers can track your location and will send emergency responders.
Look for safe ways to exit the vehicle. If your doors won’t open, try your windows – many cars have backup battery power that will allow windows to operate even after a crash. If you’re unable to exit, make yourself as visible as possible to rescuers by turning on your hazard lights or honking your horn in a pattern (three short honks is a universal distress signal). Keep your seatbelt fastened unless there’s immediate danger like fire or water entering the vehicle, as movement could worsen injuries or cause the vehicle to shift dangerously.
If smoke or fire appears, you need to exit immediately. Keep a rescue tool with a seatbelt cutter and window breaker in your glove compartment – it could save your life in these situations. To break a window, aim for a corner rather than the center, as this is the window’s weakest point. If you must break glass, protect your face and eyes as best you can, perhaps using a floor mat or jacket as a shield. Remember that the windshield is much harder to break than side windows, so focus your escape efforts on the latter.
If you were involved in a car accident in Washington, DC, a DC car accident attorney can help with your claim. Contact Regan Zambri Long today to schedule a free consultation.
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This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. If you or a loved one has been injured, please seek immediate medical care.
