Anytime cars collide, there is the potential for a fire. In most car fires, the occupants of the car escape unharmed-at least from the fire. However, in others, someone is trapped and is severely injured by the fire or is killed. Also, with the addition of a fire, a crash scene is even more chaotic and deadly, as the fire poses separate risks associated with the accident.
Liability in Fire Crashes:
When a car catches fire from an accident, it can cause damage and injuries that are not part of other crashes. Burns are some of the most severe injuries, causing the victim considerable pain and a difficult road to recovery.
Fire can also spread beyond the accident scene and cause extended property damage and additional injuries. Some of those injuries can be to those who try to help. Someone pulling another person out of a fire can cause burns to the rescuer as well.
There is a limit, but just about any property damage or injuries directly caused by the fire will be considered a liability to the at-fault driver. In the event someone dies in a car accident, loved ones may pursue a wrongful death claim.
Types of Crashes that Cause Fires:
According to a FEMA report, each year there are over 170,000 vehicle fires that come from collisions on U.S. highways. Out of these, there are around 400 deaths and 1,300 injuries, some of them severe. Just about any collision can lead to a fire. Most fires start in the engine, but it can happen under a number of scenarios. Some of the crashes that have a higher risk for causing a fire are:
- Head-On Collision: In a head-on collision, the impact puts both engines at risk for fire. Leaking fuel, transmission fluid hitting the manifold, or acid leaking from a battery can all cause a fire.
- T-Bone: The damage to an engine and the side of a vehicle where the gas tank might be can start a fire.
- Rollover: Rollovers bring many possibilities for a fire, as just about any area of the car can be damaged.
- Rear-end: A rear-end collision impact affects the engine of one car and the gas tank of another. Because rear-end crashes can sometimes lead to serious injuries, vehicle fires, and complicated liability issues, a Philadelphia rear-end accident lawyer can help determine who may be responsible for the damages.
A note on design defects:
In auto accident cases where the fire can be traced to a design problem, the automaker may be able to be held liable for all damages that were related to the fire. If the person was injured or killed fully or in part because of the fire, then the automaker could be pursued for damages. For example, in the last 4 years, millions of Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been recalled due to fire risks.
