If you are in an automobile accident where a power pole has been hit and live electrical wires are laying on the ground, do you know what to do to keep from getting electrocuted? While your car can always be replaced and you can always hire a personal injury attorney to recover your lost wages and reimburse your medical bills, you can't do either if you do not take the right steps to protect yourself from the massive amount of energy coming from the downed power lines.

If you are ever in a situation where you are in your car and live power lines are on the ground, use this life-saving procedure while you wait for professional help to arrive:

Step 1: Stay in Your Car Unless There is a Fire

As long as your car is not on fire and you do not see any active flames, you should stay in your vehicle. Exiting your car opens you up to the possibility of electrocution from the electrical current moving through the ground. As long as your car isn't burning, it really is the safest place for you to be.

Step 2: Call Emergency Services from Your Cellular Phone

While staying in your car, place a call to emergency services and let them know that there was an accident and there are now downed power lines. Determine your exact location because this will help the dispatcher get you help quickly. The dispatcher will call the local electric company and have them remotely kill the power to the lines. 

Step 3: Tell Onlookers to Stay Away from the Area

Once emergency services have been notified of the accident and have dispatched out help, then your job is to sit in your vehicle and warn any onlookers of the danger present from the active power lines. Tell any onlookers to stay away from the area and let them know that professional help is already on the way.

Step 4: Exit Your Car Safely if It is On Fire

Finally, if your car catches on fire, then it is vital that you exit it using the proper technique. If you simply open the door and walk out, then you could cause a ground and get electrocuted. Instead, hop out with both feet together. Once you land on the pavement, then you need to shuffle away from your vehicle using very small steps and not raising your feet from the ground.

If you're injured in the accident and it was someone else's fault, talk with an attorney like Cok Kinzler PLLP.