Vehicle fires are a significant concern for car owners and manufacturers alike. All the data shows that thorough data analysis and maintenance significantly reduce the risk of car fires, with historical data and contemporary statistics indicating that the likelihood of fires in well-maintained vehicles is low.
The phenomenon of cars bursting into flames primarily occurs in the context of vehicle accidents, although it is a pretty rare event. The dangers associated with cars catching fire in the event of an accident are substantial, often leading to serious injuries or fatalities.
A car can catch fire under certain conditions, particularly when accidents rupture the fuel system. Vehicle fires often occur as a result of traffic collisions or manufacturing defects. Faulty fuel tanks and fuel lines pose dangerous risks, especially when leaking flammable fluids. Another driver’s negligence can exacerbate the consequences of mechanical defects in accidents.
Electrical fires in vehicles can arise from various defects within the electrical systems, such as faulty batteries and damaged wiring. The engine compartment plays a crucial role in vehicle safety, as defects here can lead to hazardous situations, including car fires. Modern vehicles feature extensive wiring that is crucial for powering various devices within the car, and damage to this wiring can lead to sparks and potential ignition. While car fires may be depicted dramatically in movies, the actual incidence of cars bursting into flames after an accident is very low.
The gas tank’s role in fuel system ruptures is critical, as a damaged gas tank can release flammable gasoline vapors. Excessive heat from engine overheating or mechanical failure can also lead to ignition. The presence of highly flammable substances like petrol/gasoline vapors increases the risk of ignition, especially during accidents. Igniting fuel is a critical risk associated with electrical system failures in vehicles.
Mechanical failure is a significant factor in vehicle fires, with about 49% of fires due to such issues. In the context of liability for vehicle fires, other damages incurred by the victim must be considered. Other factors, such as vehicle restraint and driving through flooded areas, are also important in understanding road safety.
Fires in passenger cars can result from fuel system ruptures or mechanical failures. Metal scraping against the road surface can create sparks, posing a significant fire hazard during collisions. Both cars and trucks can suffer from defects in automotive design or manufacturing that lead to combustion. A well-maintained vehicle is significantly less likely to catch fire, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance.
Introduction to Car Fires
Vehicle fires can be a devastating consequence of a car crash, resulting in severe injuries and even death. According to the National Fire Protection Association, vehicle fires are a significant risk, with thousands of car fires occurring every year. These fires can be caused by various factors, including defective fuel tanks, electrical issues, and mechanical defects.
The risk of a car catching fire is higher in the event of a car crash, especially if the fuel tank is ruptured or the electrical system is damaged. Modern cars are designed to be safer, but they can still catch fire due to faulty wiring, faulty batteries, or other defects. Regular maintenance and avoiding driving in hazardous conditions are essential precautions to prevent car fires.
In the event of a car fire, it is crucial to stay calm and follow the proper procedures to ensure safety. Emergency personnel, such as firefighters and paramedics, play a critical role in responding to car fires and providing medical assistance. Their quick response can make a significant difference in minimizing injuries and saving lives.
Summary:
- Car fires are terrifying, potentially resulting in severe injuries and deaths.
- Potential causes of a car fire include a leaking fuel tank, electrical system or engine failure, and faulty batteries or airbags.
- Taking the right steps after a car fire can save your life.
- Some of the potentially liable parties responsible for a car fire include the manufacturer of a defective part, a negligent mechanic, or a vehicle owner who ignored the signs of a problem.
A car crash can be scary enough. When the car catches fire after a crash, that can be downright terrifying. Fire can destroy nerves and cause other types of permanent injuries. In many instances, these injuries require not only excruciating treatment but also grueling physical therapy – and that’s only if a person is lucky enough to survive.
Please don’t allow a negligent driver to escape accountability for causing a car crash that leads to your car catching fire and you having to suffer horribly as a result. The attorneys with The Eberst Law Firm will be here to help ensure you get the money you deserve. We will make sure you’re completely informed through the entire process and that you fully understand what’s going on at all times.
You can get in touch with us for a free consultation by contacting our firm online or calling (772) 225-4900. The following is a look at some of the more common reasons a fire can start after a car crash.
Leaking Fuel Tanks
This is probably the leading culprit when a car starts to go up in flames after a wreck. Just a small leak is all it takes for a vehicle to be quickly engulfed, as well as anyone inside. Metal can become super-hot, or a tiny spark can suddenly trigger an inferno. The catalytic converter can become extremely hot, posing a fire hazard, especially if foreign objects are lodged against it.
There are times when some sort of manufacturing defect can contribute to a fuel leak. For example, the fuel tank may have been designed in a way that a fire would be more likely. A damaged gas tank can lead to the release of flammable gasoline vapors, which, combined with a source of ignition, can increase the risk of fire.
It could have been placed near a bracket or some other type of sharp object in the undercarriage of the vehicle. Or, the fuel lines may have been improperly routed and more prone to leaking as a result.
Electrical System Failures
Any sort of failure in the electrical system can cause a driver to lose control of their car and be involved in a collision as a result. But an electrical problem can also lead to a car crash fire. Electrical fires in vehicles can arise from various defects within the electrical systems. Modern vehicles feature extensive wiring that is crucial for powering various devices within the car.
Sparks from a failed battery can ignite a fluid leak or ignite any gasoline vapors that might be present. Wiring in the doors, under the seats, and under the floor could also fail, resulting in a fire. Igniting fuel is a critical risk associated with electrical system failures in vehicles.
Severe Engine Failure
The engine is another obvious location where a fire can start. The usual cause is overheating. While the engine itself isn’t likely to explode, overheating can make coolant, oil, and other fluids rise to dangerously high temperatures, increasing the risk that they will leak onto the exhaust system, the engine bay, or some other incredibly hot surface.
Excessive heat can result from engine overheating or mechanical failure, which may lead to ignition if combined with flammable materials. Defects in the engine compartment and associated systems, such as electrical and fuel systems, can lead to hazardous situations, including car fires. If that happens, then it will probably only be a matter of time before a fire starts.
Faulty Batteries
As we mentioned earlier, a battery can sometimes contribute to a fire after a car crash. The battery might not have been correctly designed, increasing the risk of combustible corrosion forming on its terminals. Electrical fires in vehicles can arise from various defects within the electrical systems.
The wires coming from the battery could have been poorly designed, creating a current overload. This, in turn, can melt the insulation that protects the wires, turning into a fire hazard in the process. Modern vehicles feature extensive wiring that is crucial for powering various devices within the car.
Airbag Explosions
Airbags are supposed to protect drivers and their passengers in the event of a wreck, of course. But when they malfunction, the result can be a fire that leads to a severe, debilitating injury. Many motorists have suffered severe burns due to a malfunctioning airbag.
You might not realize that airbags actually don’t fill with air. They fill with gas when deployed. When a collision occurs, a small device, about the size of an aspirin pill, ignites. The ignition converts the device from a solid to a gas, which only takes a fraction of a second to fill the bag. When this process goes wrong, however, the airbag can catch fire after an impact. Additionally, sparks from damaged wiring during accidents can easily ignite fuel, leading to significant fires.
But faulty airbags don’t just cause burns. They can cause other types of extreme damage to the body. Manufacturers have sometimes used very unstable propellants, which exploded suddenly, even when there was no crash. This led to metal fragments racing through the inside of a car, much like the fragments inside a hand grenade.
Mechanical Defects
You learned a little bit already about how certain design defects can contribute to the development of a fire after a collision. There are many types of mechanical defects that can do the same thing.
These include oil pans that leak due to being made of defective materials and engine blocks that corrode too easily, contributing to the leaking of flammable fluids.
Crash-Related Fires
Crash-related fires are a common occurrence, with many car crashes resulting in fires due to the ignition of fuel or other flammable materials. The most common causes of crash-related fires are defective fuel tanks, fuel system leaks, and electrical issues. While modern vehicles are designed to withstand crashes without catching fire, they can still be vulnerable to fires due to design defects or mechanical failures.
The risk of a car fire is higher in high-speed crashes or crashes that involve a rupture of the fuel tank. In the event of a crash-related fire, it is essential to prioritize evacuation and call emergency services immediately. Crash-related fires can result in severe injuries, including burns, respiratory problems, and other trauma.
The investigation of crash-related fires is critical to determining the cause of the fire and identifying potential design defects or mechanical failures. By analyzing crash-related fires, manufacturers and regulators can take steps to improve vehicle safety and reduce the risk of fires. This ongoing analysis and improvement are vital to ensuring that vehicles become safer and less prone to catching fire in the event of a crash.
Steps to Take if Your Car Catches on Fire
As terrifying as it can be for your vehicle to catch fire, it will be critical for you to stay calm and focused. If you panic, you won’t be able to take the appropriate action to avoid a severe injury. Try to take the following steps.
- First, turn on your signal and pull over to a location as far away from traffic as possible. Never stop in the middle of the road or highway.
- Turn off the ignition to cut off the fuel supply and keep the hood closed. If you open it, that can add oxygen that will worsen the fire. Excessive heat from engine overheating or mechanical failure can lead to ignition if combined with flammable materials.
- Get out of the vehicle immediately and get away. Not only is smoke inhalation a risk, but so is an explosion. While car fires may be depicted dramatically in movies, the actual incidence of cars bursting into flames after an accident is very low.
- Call 911 immediately and give them your precise location.
- Don’t try to extinguish the fire unless you have the proper training and equipment. A car fire can be unpredictable, so get yourself out of danger.
- Also, don’t try to get back to the car to remove personal items. You can replace anything that’s lost.
Potential Liable Parties in Car Fire Cases
As with any personal injury case, a car fire can be complex because several parties could be responsible.
For example, you could possibly sue the manufacturer for a defective part, such as an electrical component or a faulty fuel line. If the part isn’t defective, there could have been a problem with the manufacturing process. The company may have a lack of quality control, leading to flaws.
Or, you may have recently taken your car to a mechanic who failed to fix a damaged fuel line or electrical system. If an investigation shows this to be the case, you could sue the repair shop.
If you suffered an injury and don’t own the car, you could take action against the owner. They may have ignored warning signs like visible leaks or a burning smell.
Additionally, if another driver’s negligence caused a collision that led to the fire, they could be held liable for the incident. This includes not only medical bills and loss of income but also other damages incurred by the victim.
You must speak with a car accident attorney as soon as you can so they can investigate the accident and determine all potentially liable parties.
What Happens if My Car Catches on Fire, but Someone Else Is at Fault for the Accident?
When a collision takes place due to another driver’s negligence, any design or mechanical defects that exist can become magnified, with terrible consequences. If this happens, the injury victim is going to need to prove they weren’t to blame. This takes solid evidence. Other factors, such as statistics on fatalities from crashes, the impact of vehicle restraint, and the dangers of driving through flooded areas, also play a crucial role in understanding and improving road safety.
An experienced car accident attorney can help you obtain that evidence, and deliver the proof it will take to make your case as strong as possible – and give you the best possible chance of obtaining full and fair compensation in the process.
Fires Can Cause Severe Injuries. Hire an Attorney that Will Get You the Compensation You Deserve
The attorneys with The Eberst Law Firm have that experience, and we also have the skills needed to help our clients achieve positive results.
Our team of experts has established a long track record of success, mainly because we provide tenacious representation. We will work incredibly hard to make sure our client’s rights are protected at all times.
Faulty fuel tanks and fuel lines can be extremely dangerous, posing risks of fire or explosion due to leaking flammable fluids. Incredibly, however, there are some people who actually think they don’t need to hire an attorney. They’re certain they can represent themselves and still get the money they deserve. Please don’t make this mistake. Self-represented injury victims fail the vast majority of the time – and wind up getting no compensation at all.
Let The Eberst Law Firm show you what we may be able to do for you. Schedule a free case review by calling (772) 225-4900 or contacting us online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can regular maintenance reduce the risk of a car catching fire post-crash?
Checking for fuel leaks, electrical issues, and worn-out components can significantly reduce the risk of a vehicle fire. A well-maintained vehicle is significantly less likely to catch fire, as proper maintenance can prevent many mechanical failures that lead to fires. Take your car to a qualified mechanic so they can address any potential problems before they escalate.
What are the common injuries associated with car fires in accidents?
Common injuries from car fires include not only severe burns but also smoke inhalation. Excessive heat can result from engine overheating or mechanical failure, potentially leading to ignition if flammable materials are present. Some people suffer severe injuries when trying to leave the vehicle. While car fires may be depicted dramatically in movies, the actual incidence of cars bursting into flames after an accident is very low. However, certain conditions, such as mechanical failure or fuel system rupture, can cause a fire, and car components can ignite and sustain flames if these conditions are met.
How do I claim insurance for a vehicle fire after a crash?
You must immediately report the incident to your insurer, providing all relevant details and documentation. Take photos of the burned vehicle and any other property damage. Also, keep all medical bills and other paperwork related to the accident. In cases where another driver is at fault for a collision that leads to a fire, they may be held responsible for medical bills, loss of income, and other damages incurred by the victim. Speak with an experienced attorney if you encounter any difficulties or disputes in the claims process.
