Fuel fed fire injury is the damage that is caused in post automobile collision fuel fed fires. It is estimated that approximately 550 to 1000 people suffer fatal fuel fed fire injury each year in the United States. Fuel fed fire injury commonly results in death or extensive body burns. Fuel fed fire injury is often the result of defective fuel tank and fuel system design. Automobile manufacturers can take several measures to prevent the risk of fuel fed fire injury that occurs in automobile accidents.
Fuel fed fire injury in automobile accidents is often the result of defective auto design or manufacturing. Defective fuel systems are more likely to cause fuel fed fire injury in the following cases: an inherent fuel tank design defect, the fuel tank is placed too close to parts that can puncture the fuel tank during a collision, improperly protected fuel tanks, and defective tank welding.
Defective fuel lines can also be the source of post collision fires that cause fuel fed fire injury. Fuel lines that are poorly constructed or improperly placed can allow fuel to escape during a collision which can lead to fuel fed fire injury. Automobiles that are made with electric fuel lines may also be more likely to cause fuel fed fires because these fuel lines often continue to circulate fuel even after the impact of a collision. Fuel leaks greatly increase the risk of a fuel fed fire during an automobile collision.
There are several steps that automobile manufacturers can take to prevent fuel fed fire injury and serious accidents. Manufacturers can install anti-siphoning devices in vehicles to protect against fuel circulation during a collision. Fuel systems can be designed to provide adequate protection that will prevent the likelihood of post collision fuel fires. Placing the fuel tank between the two axles is thought to be the safest tank placement location, though many auto designs make the fuel tank vulnerable to impacts. There are two specific types of preventative measures that auto makers can employ to guard against fuel fed fire injury accidents. A Fuel Safe bladder lines the fuel tank in order to increase its integrity and prevent the likelihood of fuel fed fire injury accidents. A FIRE panel creates a blast of fire retardant powder that functions to protect the fuel tank in the event of a collision.
Several consumer advocacy groups have urged the federal government to mandate a recall of Ford’s Crown Victoria Police Interceptors (CVPI) because of the high instance of fatal fuel fed fire injury accidents associated with these vehicles. Twelve police officers have died and another nine injured in post collision fuel fed fire injury accidents that occurred as a result of high speed rear impact collisions.
Some experts indicate that fuel fed fire injury risks could be largely mitigated through preventative measures that would cost an average of less than three dollars per vehicle. There are no current safety standards that regulate the design of fuel tanks and systems. If you, or someone you love, have been the victim of fuel fed fire injury, you may wish to contact a legal professional who can advice you of your legal rights and options.