Post Collision Fires & Fuel Fed Fire Cases

Every year thousands of innocent consumers suffer horribly disfiguring or fatal burn injuries in post-collision fires. Many of those injuries and deaths are caused by improperly designed fuel systems which allow fuel to spill during the accident. Fuel systems should be designed to maintain integrity during reasonably foreseeable accidents. We believe that a person should not survive a crash only to be burned in a post-collision fire. When that happens, we are prepared to pursue a fuel system defect case. We have experience investigating and pursuing cases concerning fuel system design defects which can involve fuel tank location, fuel filler cap design, filler pipe protection and attachment, fuel line protection and routing, and fuel pump shutoff switches. In an automobile accident or rollover a post collision fuel-fed fire can have catastrophic results for occupants of these vehicles. These accidents may be rollovers, frontal impact collision, side impact collision, and rear end collisions.

Some common fire related points of original or cause include:  

FUEL FED FIRES  - POOR DESIGN

Fuel lines that allow fuel to escape from the fuel system can result in fuel fed fires during a collision. Improper construction, as well as the poorly designed location of the fuel lines can also make a fuel line leak or rupture more likely. Many cars contain electric fuel pumps that may continue to pump gas through the fuel system after an accident because a defect allows fuel to be present allowing fires to occur. Many newer cars however have been designed to prevent such gasoline leakage in most auto accidents..

Anti-siphoning devices help prevent fuel from siphoning from a fuel tank, thus preventing fuel from igniting and causing a fuel fed fire. Many manufacturers however have yet to take safety precautions by adding this device to their entire line of vehicles. Siphoning usually allows the gas to flow out very quickly due to the gravity after a wreck or a corruption of the fuel system. The majority of automotive fuel tanks are constructed low carbon hot rolled sheet steel and protected from corrosion with a material most known as “terne coating.”  Most tanks are stamped in two pieces (halves), fitted with the fuel line fittings, and holes, with a steel baffle welded inside the tank. Then the two halves are then seam welded together to complete the tank. The tanks are then pressure tested for leaks. Relocation, location and/or shielding of rupture or puncture are the most practical solutions to prevent a fuel fed fire. Another practical solution is the shielding or guarding from intrusions into the tank zone.  Beginning in 1977 in some vehicles a high density, plastic shield was placed under or against the tank to prevent puncture by the differential or drive draft during a collision. This plastic shield has drastically reduced the number of furl tank ruptures and fire related injuries and deaths.

FUEL FED FIRE & POST COLLISION FIRE LEGAL HELP

If you have a question regarding a serious personal injury claim or the wrongful death of a friend or family member, call and talk to Mr. Willis or Mr. Ammons both Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyers, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Call Now for a Free Confidential Consultation at 1-800-883-9858 or 1-800-468-4878 or E-Mail us your Fuel Fed Fire questions.