Paul CaputoCall Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys at (800) 900-0863
While there are numerous hazards present in every car accident, one of the most frequent deadly factors is a gas tank explosion. Should a gas tank explode, vehicle occupants and everyone near the accident is put at sudden and severe risk of suffering catastrophic injuries.
At Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys, our San Jose exploding gas tank lawyers believe that car manufacturers have a responsibility to create the safest vehicles possible. Defects and dangers that lead to gas tank explosions are inexcusable and individuals responsible for these hazards should be held morally and financially liable for their actions.
Contact us today to begin building your case in a free evaluation.
The Deadly Nature of Gas Tank Explosions
Should a gas tank be ruptured in the course of an accident, the explosion and fire that erupts can fatally injure all nearby individuals in a matter of moments. These incidents can occur during impact or shortly after a crash as fuel leaks and is ignited by a heat source. A gas tank explosion is large enough to engulf the entire vehicle as well as the immediate surrounding area. Anyone inside the car or in close proximity at the moment of the explosion will almost certainly suffer severe burns and other injuries from the impact of flying debris.
Often, the force and heat of the explosion is great enough to cause immediate death, while those who survive are often left with severe and widespread burn injuries. Additionally, these incidents are not usually expected unless the vehicle has already begun to burn, putting unsuspecting bystanders at risk.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Accident?
While gas tank explosions are an unfortunate result of many accidents, the common fuel tank will never explode in a crash.
In order for this to happen, the tank must be either:
- Severely compromised in the accident
- Defective in the first place
As they contain combustible liquids and heat-producing machinery, vehicles are meant to have many safety features in place to prevent a fire or explosion. Unfortunately, many automakers create faulty fuel tanks and systems that may fail catastrophically in the course of an accident. In some cases, the automaker does not take into account how the tank may be damaged during a crash.
While a driver whose negligence or recklessness caused the accident can be held liable for damages that resulted from the crash, the injuries or fatalities that result when the fuel tank explodes may be the fault of the manufacturer. Through San Jose personal injury or wrongful death claims, individuals who suffered losses in the fuel tank explosion can seek compensation from the at-fault automaker and its insurance company. For a claim to be successful, it must be proven that the fuel tank failure was the result of the car company’s manufacture, design of the tank, or the vehicle as a whole.
Dedicated Attorneys, Successful Cases
If you or your loved one has suffered losses in an accident related to a fuel tank failure, our auto product liability attorneys serving all of Northern California at Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys can provide you with the legal representation you need in filing your claim and pursuing compensation. With our help, you can be able to prove the auto manufacturer’s role in the accident and gain the help you need for all losses that resulted.
Call our offices today at (800) 900-0863 for a free consultation on your case.