Ridgefield Park, NJ – Electrical Malfunction Provokes Car Fire, Injuries on Winant Ave

Ridgefield Park, NJ (July 05, 2022) – The fire was spreading fast as three police officers from Ridgefield Park hurriedly attempted to pull a trapped driver from Fort Lee driver out of his burning vehicle on Saturday, July 2nd. 

An electrical malfunction ignited the front of a Honda Accord driven by 55-year-old Christopher Vagnone outside Mavis Discount Tire on Winant Avenue at about 2:00 a.m.

Not able to open any of the car’s doors, one of the men grabbed a Halligan tool and broke the driver’s side window. 

Two more officers joined the first in trying to extricate Vagnone by pulling him through a window, but the intense heat and flames drove them back. 

Using fire extinguishers, the trio managed to smother the flames enough for them to remove the trapped IT analyst via the passenger side while battling broken glass, intense heat, and numerous physical obstacles. 

A passing good Samaritan from Manhattan stopped and aided the officers. 

After extracting him, the officers dragged Vagnone to a safe place away from the vehicle and began rendering first aid as village firefighters put out the fire. 

Vagnone was taken from the scene in unknown condition. 

Our thoughts are with the injured victim and their family at this time. We hope for their full recovery.

Products Liability Cases in New Jersey

Products need to be designed for both utility and safety in equal measure. If there is a perceived or potential risk linked to the product, it should be redesigned without compromising the product’s utility. If the product can’t be reasonably redesigned, safeguards must be put in place. Ultimately, if the risk cannot be mitigated by a redesign or safety measures, the manufacturer is obligated to provide sufficient warnings informing the user of the potential danger.

When a product has the ability to cause harm to a customer, it is vital that manufacturers warn the public. If corporations are negligent in providing a warning and intentionally sell products that can seriously injure or kill consumers, they could be held liable. 

Regrettably, most injuries caused by defective products could have been avoided had the manufacturer exercised due care during the product’s design or given consumers an adequate warning pertaining to the possible dangers associated with the product’s use.  

New Jersey law offers victims a cure for this injustice by permitting the injured victim or the family of a deceased victim to file a claim of product liability against the negligent party allowing them to collect financial compensation for their losses. 

For the claim to be valid, it must be proven that the product’s defect stems from an error in its design, a manufacturing flaw, or an insufficient or absent warning with respect to the potential dangers that come with using the product in its intended manner.

Our attorneys work diligently to ensure families have their legal rights protected so they can move forward from the tragic and unexpected loss of a loved one. Contact our product liability lawyers in New Jersey at (800) 469-6476 to see how we can help you.

Notes: Outside sources were used in the creation of this post including news bulletins and first-hand accounts of the accident and injuries involved. As a result, the details of the accident presented have not been independently verified. If you have identified any false information in the story or would like the post to be removed, please inform us immediately, and we will correct the information or remove the post. 

Disclaimer: As a member of the local community, we at Metro Law strive to improve the overall safety and quality of life for everyone who lives in our beloved state. We are extremely saddened by these accidents but hope that through an awareness of these dangers, those in our community will take precautions to avoid these accidents. This is not a solicitation for business, and this information should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. We wish only the best and quickest recovery to all those involved in the accident. The photos depicted in this post are not from the actual accident scene.