Rear Gas Tank Ruptures/Fires
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common accident types. It is dangerous, therefore, for a manufacturing company to design a vehicle with its fuel tank in the rear. The forces of a crash directly colliding with a fuel tank could cause ruptures or leaks, along with spilled gas and related fires or explosions.
Federal investigations have found fuel tank defects in many Jeep models – including several vehicles involved in fatal car fires. If you or a loved one was injured in a rear gas tank rupture, fire or explosion, contact Butler Prather LLP for legal counsel. Our personal injury lawyers may be able to help you obtain compensation from the manufacturing company.
Why Clients Trust Us
- We have helped clients around the nation obtain compensation from powerful manufacturing companies, including a successful case against Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) on behalf of the family of a child who died in a Jeep fire.
- We have been in the business of bringing personal injury claims since our firm’s foundation in 1988. Our lawyers take an aggressive and personal approach to litigation to achieve top results for each client.
- We work hard for clients, working day and night to resolve cases, all with no retainer fees upfront. We operate on a contingency fee basis, only accepting payment for rear gas tank rupture cases if we win.
How a Lawyer Can Help
A rear gas tank rupture is a sign of a defectively designed vehicle. A related injury case will take the form of a product liability lawsuit. Unless you have a legal background, it will be difficult for you to navigate this type of claim alone. You will need to go up against a powerful manufacturing firm, such as FCA, in pursuit of damages. Auto companies have extensive resources to fight claims from injured customers. Hiring an attorney can level the playing field.
Why Do Rear Gas Tank Ruptures Happen?
Rear gas tank ruptures and fires have been a problem for many Jeep models. After receiving reports of Jeeps catching fire and exploding in rear-end collisions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation. It found a dangerous defect in the design of many Jeeps, including Libertys and Grand Cherokees, in which the fuel tank was too close to the rear of the vehicle. The NHTSA recommended a recall of over 2.7 million Jeeps after the investigation: 1993-1994 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Jeep Libertys.
FCA initially refused to issue the voluntary recall. Eventually, however, it did recall 1.56 million defective Jeeps. It offered a recall remedy of installing new trailer hitches – a controversial solution FCA’s own former Vice President of Engineering said would not protect the fuel tank in a collision. The first repairs did not take place until more than a year after the announced recall, in 2014. To this day, thousands of defective Jeeps with the potential for gas tank rupture fires still remain on the road.
Do You Have a Claim?
If your vehicle’s gas tank ruptured and caused a fire during a car accident, you may have a product liability lawsuit on your hands – especially if your vehicle was one of the Jeeps recalled for defective fuel tanks. You could have a case against Fiat Chrysler America for negligently failing to prevent your injuries or a family member’s death. The Jeep fire lawyers at Butler Prather LLP can review your recent incident for signs of a defective fuel tank and/or manufacturer negligence. If we believe you have grounds for a claim, we can help you build a case against FCA or another vehicle manufacturer.
Contact Butler Prather LLP
A fuel tank rupture could turn an otherwise minor rear-end collision into a life-altering catastrophic accident. At Butler Prather LLP, we believe automakers should be responsible for injuries and deaths their defective vehicles cause. Find out if you have a case with help from our attorneys. Contact us through our website or call (866) 615-8140 today.