Actress Dies One Week After Fiery Car Crash

On Friday, it was announced that actress Ann Heche had died from the catastrophic injuries she suffered six days ago when the vehicle she was driving plowed into a home in the Mara Vista section of Los Angeles, CA. According to police, the Mini Cooper she was driving hit the home at 90 m.p.h., landed in the front of the home, and burst into flames. It took almost 60 firefighters more than an hour to extinguish the fire. Blood tests show the actress, who in the past was candid about her struggles with addiction, had taken both cocaine and fentanyl prior to the accident. Fortunately, the owner of the home was able to escape the fire with her two dogs and turtle, all unharmed.

While this type of accident may sound like a rare occurrence, it happens more often than people realize, including right here in Virginia. Just last week, a vehicle crashed into a pub in Arlington, setting the business on fire and injuring at least 15 people. Nine of those victims were transported to local hospitals. Six out of the nine were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Two remain in critical condition, while one is listed in serious, but stable condition. Six other people were treated at the scene.

And in Roanoke, several people were hospitalized after a car crashed into a home on Peters Creek Road, causing the house to catch fire. The fire department estimated the amount of damage to the home at approximately $350,000.

It’s stressful enough when we are out on the roads, constantly watching for drivers who are not paying attention or breaking some kind of traffic law that could result in serious car accidents and personal injuries. Having a car come crashing into your living room isn’t something most people worry about, yet – as these incidents show – it does happen.

Some of the more common causes include:

• The driver is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• The driver was speeding
• The driver confused the brake and gas pedals
• The driver suffered a medical emergency
• There was some kind of mechanical malfunction in the vehicle

Given the high rate of speed these vehicles are usually traveling, the damage done to the structure is often catastrophic and frequently results in fires. Even if the occupants of the home or building are not in the same room that the vehicle lands in, there is a high risk that they can be seriously injured by crash debris. A vehicle hitting a home is similar to a bomb detonating, sending all kinds of objects and materials flying with great force.

What Steps Should You Take if Injured By a Car Crashing Into A Residence?

If a vehicle crashes into your home, not only could you be dealing with serious physical injuries, but there is also the potential for structural damage to your property. The first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Even if you do not think you have suffered an injury, it is important to keep in mind that there are certain injuries that often have delayed symptoms, such as concussions or other head trauma, and that delay in medical treatment could be dangerous.

Once you have been medically evaluated, there will be legal issues to contend with. Police reports, damage to your home, your homeowner’s insurance company, the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company, deductibles, etc., are all issues that can feel overwhelming, especially if you are dealing with physical injuries at the same time. This is why you should consider contacting a Virginia personal injury attorney. Your attorney can address all these issues, advocating for your best interests, allowing you the time you need to heal without these added stresses.

Call Our Virginia Beach Personal injury Lawyers Today

We hope you never have to experience the trauma of a vehicle smashing into your home, but we also know the odds that you will experience some other type of vehicle accident – whether you are in a car, walking the street, or riding a bike – are significantly higher.

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