During a car accident, it can be difficult to understand the details of what occurred, causing some victims to search for answers. But while there may be a wide variety of factors that lead to a Texas car accident, when there is fire involved, the cause can sometimes be traced to vehicle electrical fires and auto defects.
In some cases, when a vehicle is involved in a car accident and a fire ensues, investigators may be able to trace the sparks to an electrical problem, manufacturing flaw or design defect in the car.
In addition the electrical failures, auto fires can also be linked to fuel line failures or defective fuel tanks.
In contrast with auto fires ignited by fuel line defects and poor manufacturer designs, electrical fires often begin in the dashboard region of a vehicle as a result of bad wiring or other electronic problems housed in that region of the vehicle.
The design of a vehicle in relation to the fuel tank location has been a long-standing issue among auto manufacturers. Where a fuel tank is located is vital to protecting vehicle occupants from fire dangers associated with explosions and damage to the tank during a collision. Some of the causes of defective vehicle fuel systems include:
In one of the most famous cases of a defective fuel tank, Ford designed the Pinto with a tank located on the rear of the vehicle, behind the axle. The location of the fuel take proved dangerous as reports of vehicle fires in relation to rear-collisions increased.
While it can be easy to look at the mere location of a fuel tank tied to damages incurred in a car accident, it is also important for auto manufacturers to look closely at hazards near the tank location, which could damage and puncture the auto equipment, such as screws.
Though the location of a fuel tank is an important aspect of making cars safer and protecting occupants from defective equipment related fires during an accident, the composition of the tank itself is an equally vital safety factor.
Manufacturers and retailers of defective auto equipment and vehicles must be held responsible for the electrical fires, fuel tank explosions and equipment failure that may have been prevented with proper attention, care and notification. At The Carlson Law Firm, our product liability attorneys advocate for injured clients, offering valuable resources, information and guidance for those who have been involved in a car accident in Waco, Killeen, Temple or across the state of Texas. We understand the hardships associated with the loss of a loved one, mounting medical bills and lost time at work. We care. We can help.