Car fires are not incredibly common, but when they do occur they can cause serious harm and significant destruction of property. In 2021, Statista recorded approximately 174,000 reported highway vehicle fires in the United States. These incidents resulted in approximately 1,100 injuries and 650 deaths, with many vehicle fires occurring in passenger vehicles. While some car fires were caused by external circumstances, such as a crash or environmental factors, many occurred due to vehicle defects or malfunctions.
Given that car fires can easily cause life-changing burn injuries or the loss of substantial property, you may be wondering if it is possible to seek compensation for a vehicle fire. If your car catches on fire due to the negligent actions of an auto manufacturer, you may have the foundation of a successful product liability case. The Hill Law Firm notes that a successful case hinges upon proving that a design or manufacturing defect resulted in the dangerous fire. In this article, we break down the elements of a defective vehicle lawsuit.
What Are the Elements of Product Liability?
When a product is dangerous to consumers because of marketing, manufacturing, or design flaws, a person that is then harmed by it may be able to file a product liability lawsuit. The injured consumer or their attorney needs to demonstrate that their injuries were directly caused by the defect and would not have occurred had the issue not been present. There are four main types of defects that may play a role in a vehicle fire:
1. Manufacturing Defects: When there is a dangerous problem with how a vehicle was built, this may have occurred due to a manufacturing defect. For example, a car crash and subsequent fire caused by malfunctioning brakes may be due to an error in how that specific set of brakes was created or installed.
2. Design Defects: In some cases, a line of products may be deemed unsafe for consumers. When a design defect happens, there was not a deviation from the vehicle’s intended build or a mistake made during the manufacturing process. Rather, the car as it was meant to be built is itself a risk to the occupant’s safety. Some examples of design defects in motor vehicles include faulty ignition switches, dangerous steering and suspension systems, and vehicle models with an unacceptably high rollover risk due to weight allocation.
3. Marketing Defects: When a manufacturer does not warn consumers about the inherent risk of a product or provide instructions on its use, this may be a form of product liability. Although marketing defects are less likely to cause a car fire than a design or manufacturing defect, they may play a role in some incidents. Perhaps a vehicle has an owner’s manual with incorrect information, or a television advertisement indicated that you could take a vehicle off-roading when doing so was unsafe. If a similar situation leads to a car fire, there may be a claim for product liability through a marketing defect.
4. Breach of Warranty: When a vehicle fails to align with the terms of an express or written warranty, the victim may have a case for a defective product. You should always keep proof of any guarantees given to you when purchasing a vehicle, so you are protected if the vehicle has issues that should be covered under warranty.
How Does Negligence Cause Car Fires?
Determining the cause of a car fire is the first step towards securing compensation for any damages incurred in the incident. Brady, Brady & Reilly LLC recommends bringing in a defective product attorney for your case, as they have the resources to investigate the situation and discover what caused the blaze. Some of the leading causes of car fires due to manufacturer negligence include:
- Faulty electrical systems
- An overheated engine
- Vehicle design flaws
Proving Negligence After a Car Fire
To recover damages after a car fire, your lawyer must demonstrate that four legal elements are present in your case. They need to show that:
1. You were owed a duty of care. In a successful injury case, the attorney must prove that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care to protect them from unnecessary danger or injuries. A car dealership or manufacturer owes vehicle owners a duty of care to protect them from harm while driving the vehicle.
2. The duty of care was violated. After determining that the defendant did owe the victim a duty of care, it must be established that the defendant breached this obligation in some way. Allowing a defective vehicle to be sold to a victim may constitute a breach of the duty of care if the defect led to a car fire.
3. Your injuries occurred because of this violation. It must be proven that the vehicle’s defect is what led to the fire that harmed you or another person. If your legal counsel is unable to provide evidence that connects the fire to a product defect, it will be very challenging to win a favorable verdict.
4. You suffered economic losses. The plaintiff must demonstrate that they suffered measurable economic losses because of the car fire. These damages can take the form of medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of repairing your car or buying another one.
After a Vehicle Fire, Seek Legal Advice
A car fire can be an incredibly stressful experience, even if no one is harmed in the blaze. To ensure you have the best chance of recovering damages after the incident, it is always advisable to speak to a local product liability attorney that is familiar with vehicle liability laws. They will be able to explain your options and help you move forward with your case, if that is the course of action you settle on.