Kansas City Vehicle Fires Attorney

Most automotive engineers agree than a vehicle occupant should not burn in an otherwise survivable crash.  In other words, if the occupant can survive the crash forces without serious injury, so should the fuel system.  Unfortunately, there are still vehicles on the road today with fuel systems which are susceptible to post-collision fuel fed fires. 

In many cases, the vehicle fire that occurs as a result of a crash could have been avoided if the fuel tank was properly located or shielded.  Automotive engineers have long acknowledged that placing the tank in a location where it is protected from impact and contact with other vehicles or vehicle parts is a basic premise of fuel system design.  Unfortunately like the Ford Pinto, some vehicles have fuel tanks mounted behind the rear axle, making them vulnerable to rear impact.  Another dangerous design is the “side saddle” gas tank, which is mounted on the side of vehicle outside of the vehicle frame.  Vehicles with fuel tanks behind the rear axle or outside the side frame rails are examples of designs susceptible to rupture in a crash.

Vehicle fires can also be the result of a compromise of the fuel lines.  This can be due to the location of the lines in a foreseeable crush zone, the failure to shield vulnerable fuel lines or the constructing the fuel lines out of a material such as plastic which is susceptible to heat.  Once these lines are compromised, gasoline can flow out of the tank due to gravity (sometimes referred to as siphoning) and feed the fire if proper precautions are not implemented.  Defects in the fuel pump, filler neck and sending unit also can be the cause of post collision vehicle fires.

Our firm has extensive experience in handling vehicle fire cases involving numerous different vehicle types, makes and models.  Any accident resulting in a vehicular fire and serious personal injury or death should be fully investigated.