Fuel Fed Fires

Fuel fed fires that occur during the course of an automobile or other vehicle accident pose some of the greatest threats to passengers. Sadly, many of these preventable fuel fed fires are the result of defective vehicle fuel systems. Fires caused due to defective fuel systems often results in catastrophic or fatal injuries in accidents that otherwise might have been survivable.

Auto designers and manufacturers have a duty to design, construct and install fuel systems that are protected against ignition during an accident to the greatest extent possible. The location of a fuel system, its specific component design, the materials from which it is made, and other factors can all contribute to fuel system defects that can result in serious harm during an auto accident.

Fuel Fed Fire Statistics

According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 300,000 vehicle fires occur annually on our nation’s highways and roadways. These fires claim the lives of 400 people and injure thousands each year. Fuel fed fires account for a disproportionally large number of these cases of vehicle fire and are thought to be responsible for as many as one in five vehicle fire-related fatalities.

Fuel Fed Fire Causes: Design or Manufacturing Defects

Fuel system design or manufacturing flaws and defects can often cause or contribute to fuel fed fire during an auto accident. These potential fuel system defects include:

• seam weld failure in the fuel tank
• lack of a fuel cut-off device
• filler cap neck separation
• lack of an anti-siphoning device to thwart continued gas flow after a collision
• a fire from an added fuel tank that is unprotected by the vehicle’s frame
• fuel line tearing or separation of the fuel line from the carburetor, fuel pump, or fuel tank
• placement of fuel tank under the trunk floor
• lack of a barrier or shield to prevent a fuel tank rupture
• fuel tank puncture due to poor design (e.g., a protruding bolt or other object)

Fuel fed fires, which often occur following otherwise survivable collisions, have resulted in hundreds of wrongful deaths and preventable injuries. When fuel system defects are found to blame in such accidents, those who have suffered harm are often able to seek compensation for their losses and suffering. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving fire, it is wise to have a legal professional evaluate your case to determine if fuel system defects were responsible. The qualified attorneys at Injury Lawyer Omaha have substantial experience successfully helping people harmed by such vehicle defects obtain the compensation they deserve. To learn more about your legal rights and options, please contact us for a confidential consultation today.