Vehicle fires: A leading cause of death and injury

The recent Brownsville automobile fire that injured a 27-year-old man and his 3-year-old daughter is one of more than 260,000 car fires that occurred in the United States this year. It is estimated that one U.S. car fire occurs every 96 seconds. Car fires are responsible for more than 500 deaths a year. This is more people than die in apartment fires. The problem is only increasing.

Car fires occur for a variety of reasons. They may be due to mechanical defects including failure to incorporate anti-leak valves, failure to include fuel-filler tube-check valves, failure to protect fuel lines, misrouting of fuel lines, inadequate shielding of the fuel tank, and dangerous placement of the fuel tank in the vehicle’s crush zone. Modern vehicles include numerous electrical devices that may short circuit.

There are at least six flammable fluids under a car’s hood including gasoline and oil. These can leak onto hot surfaces and ignite. It is suggested that fluid lines, caps, hoses and filters be inspected regularly and maintained to prevent leaks and potential fires.

Traditional car batteries produce hydrogen gas which easily ignites in a fire and can cause an explosion of battery acid. Electric and hybrid cars have large batteries; they are usually NiMH, lead-acid, or Li-ion batteries. Each of these poses unique fire risks.

Li-ion batteries explode rapidly and in chain reactions. Lead-acid batteries can melt or leak corrosive sulfuric acid. They also release explosive hydrogen. Most of these batteries have built-in safety features such as smoke detectors, temperature sensors, and overcharge protection. However, if a fire does occur, it is especially dangerous.

When a car catches fire, the fire often spreads quickly. Upholstery and carpets may be highly combustible.

Car fires may occur after a collision, while a car is running, or even while a car is parked.

We hope this never happens to you, but in the even of a car fire, following a few simple steps may save your life. What can you do if your car catches fire?

• Pull over to the side of the road and turn off the ignition. Pulling over to the side, so everyone can get out of the vehicle safely. Turning off the ignition shuts off the electrical current and stops the flow of gas.

• Put the vehicle in park and set the emergency brake. You don’t want the vehicle to move after you leave it.

• Do not open the hood. Air feeds fires, opening your hood can expose you to a sudden flare-up.

• Get everyone out of and away from the vehicle. Don’t risk lives by wasting time removing stuff. Get everyone at least 100 feet away from the vehicle and away from the path of other traffic. This will help you avoid breathing in the toxic fumes that cause many fire deaths.

• Call 911. Firefighters have special training and equipment for dealing with car fires. You don’t. Get away and stay safe.

• Do not try to put the fire out yourself.

If your car does catch on fire, determining the cause can be tricky. Some victims of car fires have found themselves dropped by their insurance companies and charged with arson, even when the fire is due to a mechanical defect. It is important that car fires be thoroughly investigated, and, if necessary, that specialists examine the wreckage.

If you’ve injured in any type of car accident caused by the negligence or recklessness of another, you may be eligible for compensation. For more information, contact the San Antonio accident attorneys at The Cowen Law Group at 1-877-385-1282.