Car Fire Lawyers

We Provide National Support for Victims of Auto Explosions

Post-collision fuel-fed fires can cause horrible burns and incredible suffering for anyone caught in one. Many of these fires could be prevented if automakers dedicated more time, money, and attention to creating and testing safer vehicle parts.

When poor design leads to a post-collision fire, we recommend you talk to our team about your legal options. Burn injuries can change the entire trajectory of your life. Pursuing compensation through every path can help you find the financial means to access treatment and care for your loved ones.

We provide free consultations to the victims of car fires. Call us at (888) 711-5947 to speak with one of our experienced attorneys.

Turn to Our Nationally Acclaimed Team

The Gilbert Law Group® has been taking on negligent automakers since 1969, and we are nationally known and celebrated for the victories we have won for our clients.

• $29,500,000 - Semi-truck fire
• $9,000,000 - Fatal accident caused by a defective fuel tank
• $2,000,000 - Severe burn injury from a car fire

In addition to the millions of dollars we've recovered on behalf of clients, our firm has also received numerous accolades including being name U.S. News—Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” since 2010

Learn More About Our Firm

Types of Car Fires

Most vehicles rely on combustion to run, meaning fire hazards are inherent. Though electric vehicles may not rely on burning gas, they do use large batteries filled with flammable substances. Intense heat or a collision can set off a fire that may turn deadly. Here are the types of car fire claims we can help clients bring.

Fuel Tank Defects

Fuel tank design defects and poor placement can cause a rupture and leak during or after a collision. With just a small spark, this leak can become an inferno. While there is widespread agreement that the safest location for a fuel tank is between the vehicles’ axles, some autos have fuel tanks mounted behind the rear axle, making them vulnerable to rear impacts. Other locations are equally dangerous. Some pickup trucks have “sidesaddle” fuel tanks mounted outside the frame where they are extremely vulnerable to side impacts.

Electrical Fires

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), two-thirds of car fires are caused by electrical and mechanical failures. This can include issues with defective heated seats, faulty car batteries, heating systems, or even poorly designed aftermarket accessories. The United States Fire Administration estimates that faulty insulation around wiring is the cause of 29% of all highway vehicle fires. Even a single stray, frayed wire could spark a catastrophic fire.

Engine Overheating

If your vehicle's engine gets too hot, it can cause coolants or oils to reach dangerous temperatures. If they spill onto your vehicle's engine or exhaust system, they may ignite. Engines that have a high tendency to overheat can place drivers and passengers in extreme danger. In fact, data from the United States Fire Administration indicates that 62% of highway vehicle fires and 36% of fatal highway vehicle fires originate in the engine, running gear, or wheel area of the vehicle.

Fuel Lines / Fuel Pumps

Post-collision fires can also be caused by defects in a car’s fuel lines or fuel pumps. Now that most cars have fuel-injected engines, fuel is pumped through their systems at significant pressure. A fuel line rupture can therefore result in a sizeable leak. Lines may rupture if they are poorly placed or routed or composed of the wrong materials.

Most cars with fuel-injected engines also typically have electric fuel pumps. Unless it shuts off properly after a collision, a fuel pump can continue to circulate gasoline through the fuel lines and fuel system. Increasing the fire hazard.

Can Car Fires Be Prevented?

A safe automobile design minimizes the risk of fuel-fed fires by providing adequate protection to both the fuel tank and the fuel system (in gas-powered cars) or the battery (in electric cars). It is a basic principle of crashworthiness that if an occupant can survive a collision and its crash forces without serious skeletal or internal injuries, the fuel system should similarly remain secure and intact.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. When auto manufacturers fail to design safe vehicles, their victims deserve justice.

Call (888) 711-5947 to reach The Gilbert Law Group® if you were injured in a preventable car fire. We have helped recover over $1 billion from negligent automakers.