By Nuttall Brown & Coutts
What should I do after an off-road vehicle fire?
Get medical care first, even for burns that seem minor. Then keep the vehicle exactly as it is, photograph everything, and save your records. Don't repair or sell the vehicle, or let insurers or the maker take it, before you get legal advice. Experts may need to inspect it to learn what started the fire. If fire or police investigators need it, ask for a receipt and where it will be kept.
- Get medical care, and follow up on every burn.
- Keep the vehicle and parts as they are. Don't repair, sell or scrap it.
- Don't hand the vehicle to an insurer, dealer or maker before talking to a lawyer.
- Photograph the vehicle, the scene and your injuries over time.
- Save receipts, service records and any recall letters.
- Write down who was there and what happened while it is fresh.
You can report the incident to CPSC at SaferProducts.gov (opens in new tab).
Why does keeping the vehicle matter so much?
The burned vehicle is often the most important evidence. Melted wiring, fuel lines, heat shields and exhaust parts can help show where a fire started. Once a vehicle is repaired, scrapped or stripped for parts, that information may be gone for good, for everyone involved.
If the vehicle is at a tow yard or storage lot, ask how long they will keep it and what it costs. Tell them in writing not to destroy or sell it. If it is a rental or tour vehicle, write down the company name and the vehicle number.
What should I photograph?
Photograph the whole vehicle from every side, then close-ups of burned areas, the VIN, the dashboard and any warning lights. Photograph the ground where the fire happened, including scorch marks and nearby brush. Take injury photos over several days, because burns can look different as they heal.
- Turn on the date and location setting on your phone camera, and don't edit the originals.
- Save any videos from riding partners or helmet cameras.
- Back up the photos somewhere other than your phone.
Should I talk to the insurance company or the manufacturer?
You can report the loss to your own insurer as your policy requires. Be careful about giving recorded statements, signing releases or letting anyone take the vehicle before you get legal advice. A manufacturer or its insurer may ask to inspect it. That can be arranged so everyone has a fair chance to look.
What if the fire happened on a rental or guided tour?
Get the company's name, the guide's name and the vehicle number. Ask for a copy of any incident report and anything you signed, such as a rental agreement or waiver. Photograph the vehicle if you can. Who may be responsible can depend on the vehicle, its upkeep and the paperwork.
What if the fire spread to land or property?
Fire and land agencies may investigate and may want to see the vehicle. Cooperate, ask for a report number, and ask where the vehicle will be kept. Keep copies of any letters you receive about damage. Before you sign anything or agree to pay for damage, consider getting legal advice.
What records should I keep?
- Medical bills, visit summaries and your providers' instructions.
- Pay stubs or other proof of missed work.
- Receipts for travel to appointments, supplies and help at home.
- A short daily journal of pain, sleep and what you can't do.
Keep everything in one folder, paper or digital. It makes a case review much faster.
Questions after an off-road fire?
Burned in an ATV or side-by-side fire, or caring for someone who was? Tell us what happened and we will review it for free. You decide what happens next.