Car fires are among the most common and devastating fires encountered by firefighters. Defective fuel tanks or fuel systems, which subsequently leak oil, precipitate most car fires. Fuel-fed fires progress rapidly and usually cause severe injuries or death.
A variety of fuel system structural errors or location flaws contribute to a malfunctioning fuel system. The design of the system may place the fuel tank in close proximity to another engine component that could puncture the tank in the event of a collision.
Other frequent fuel system defects include leaky fuel lines from faulty design or dangerous location and improper protection of the fuel tank against reasonable force or damage. At Healy Scanlon Law Firm, our knowledgeable auto accident lawyers thoroughly understand the structural and design flaws that result in thousands of unnecessary serious and fatal injuries each year.
If manufacturers institute certain safety standards, many of the injuries and deaths resulting from car fires could be prevented. One example of a safety standard that can prevent injury has to do with fuel spillage immediately after an accident. Once fuel begins to leak, gravity will cause gas to siphon, and rapidly flow out of the tank. Anti-siphoning devices can be attached to the fuel system, preventing the escape of fuel so that fuel cannot ignite and cause a car fire. Unfortunately, there are no federal regulations overseeing the assembly or design of fuel systems. Thus, the automobile manufactures have no incentive to implement this costly safety standard.
If you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries during a collision-induced car fire, contact Healy Scanlon Law Firm for a auto accident attorney in Chicago. Both in Chicago and throughout Illinois, car fire victims rely on Healy Scanlon Law Firm for effective and highly successful legal representation from dedicated, experienced attorneys.