Vehicle fires are among the most common fires that firefighters encounter. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, approximately one in six fires nationwide is a highway vehicle fire. Eighty-four percent of these fires occur in passenger vehicles, with equipment failure being a leading cause of ignition. There are about 300,000 car fires each year, killing approximately 500 people and injuring thousands more.

There are many possible causes of automobile fires. These include mechanical problems resulting from faulty vehicle design – a leak or break in a vehicle component, automatic or manual control failures, electrical failures and placement of flammable liquids near the exhaust system, for example – as well as improperly installed devices and crashes. Some of the more commonly seen causes of car fires are dangerous placement of fuel tanks, defective fuel line materials, fuel leaks, improperly installed exhaust systems, cruise control malfunctions, faulty wiring, malfunctioning carburetors and catalytic converters and short circuits. It is not just flames that make vehicle blazes especially dangerous: toxic fumes from burning synthetics can be lethal, and the intense heat can cause vehicle components to explode or become projectiles.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car fire, it is crucial that you contact an experienced auto accident lawyer immediately. Our dedicated injury lawyers help car accident victims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey obtain all of the compensation to which they may be entitled. Depending on the case this might include money for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical bills and lost wages or other financial damages. In some cases, we also seek punitive damages for another party’s wrongdoing. Only a trial lawyer who has worked on many vehicle fire matters can decide the best strategy for handling your unique case.

At Feldman Shepherd, we are committed to obtaining the best possible recovery for our clients as expeditiously as possible. We are here to serve you with hard work, attention to detail and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs. If we may be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.