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According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), vehicle fires occur more on highways than regular roads or streets, due to congested roadways and high speeds. Every 3 minutes and 1 second there is one reported highway vehicle fire. In 2015 (latest statistics reported) there were 174,000 vehicle fires with more than 1,550 reported serious injuries and 445 deaths.

An example of this occurred in June 2017. 

A 73-year-old man and an 11-year-old boy were killed and another man was critically injured in a fiery two-vehicle crash in Volusia County, Florida. The FHP (Florida Highway Patrol) said the man and the boy were in a 2009 Chevrolet pickup truck that was struck by a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. Troopers said the Camaro was traveling north on S.R. 15A at a high rate of speed when the pickup, which was headed west on Cascades Park Boulevard, entered the car's path. The Camaro struck the left side of the pickup, which overturned and erupted in flames, the FHP said. The Camaro also caught fire, troopers said. The man and the boy in the pickup were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Camaro was taken to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach in critical condition, according to News6 Orlando. 

Causes of vehicle fires 

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) reported in “Highway Vehicle Fires (2008 -2010)” that: 

• 57 percent of fatal vehicle fires were the result of a collision.
• 24 percent of vehicle fires were attributable to equipment failure or mechanical problems, ranging from faulty design to an improperly installed device.
• 7 percent of vehicle fires were the result of arson.
• In the remainder of vehicle fires, no cause was able to be determined after investigation as determining the cause of vehicle fires is often challenging. 

There have been reports of fuel tanks spontaneously exploding or leaking which creates a dangerous situation which can lead to hazardous projectiles in the interior of vehicles. If a fuel tank leaks or explodes, passengers inside vehicles can be trapped leading to possible fatalities. 

The website CarThrottle.com says that there are other significant causes of a vehicle fire such as an exhaust leaking fluid, faulty wiring, waste or trash igniting, and arcing short-circuit wires, seat heater malfunction, cigarette lighter accident, flammable liquid spill and electrical malfunction. 

The cost of burn treatment 

Burns can exert a catastrophic influence on people in terms of human life, suffering, disability, and financial loss. More than an estimated 2 million people in the United States experience burn injuries, and an estimated 54,000 to 180,000 are hospitalized. While there are different categories of burns, flame burns are the most common cause of serious burn injuries, accounting for nearly one third of all serious burns. Of hospitalized burn patients, 5 percent die as a result of their burn injuries, most of which are from flame burns. Gasoline is involved in 66 percent of flame burn cases, according to Medscape.com. 

Complications from burns can include: 

• Disfigurement and scarring in 66 percent of cases
• Psychological complications in 57 percent of cases
• Infections, including pneumonia, sepsis, and other organ failure from infection problems occur in 35 percent of cases
• Delayed wound healing in 32 percent of cases 

Determining responsibility for burn injuries related to a vehicle fire 

The NFPA agrees that it is often difficult to determine responsibility for a vehicle fire, because examination of the burned parts can be challenging. However, experts can often determine if the design and construction of a fuel system was insufficient for withstanding an impact of the car collision and lost its integrity during impact. 

If the manufacturer failed to provide a safe vehicle, it can be held liable for injuries and damages caused by the defective vehicle. In addition, the other driver involved in the accident might also be at fault due to dangerous or negligent driving and be held responsible for injuries and damages caused in the accident. 

“Should you or a loved one be injured in a vehicle accident, contact our experienced legal team. We are here to assist you,” said Fort Myers Accident Attorney, Randal Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Fort Myers Accident Attorney,  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  VisitSpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.