Vehicle Gas Tank | Fuel Tank Fires and Explosions

Introduction: Fuel Tank Fire Dangers

While fuel tanks are an obvious necessity in cars, SUVs, trucks and all other vehicles, they can be extremely dangerous in collisions and other accidents. It is incumbent on manufacturers to produce vehicles and fuel tanks with a maximum of safety in mind. Sometimes, however, vehicles are designed or produced defectively, with often disastrous results for drivers.

For example, General Motors pickup trucks produced from 1973 to 1987 were equipped with fuel tanks mounted outside of the vehicle frame, called side-saddle or saddlebag fuel tanks. In numerous lawsuits filed by drivers seriously injured or the families of loved ones who died, it has been alleged that the GM trucks were defectively manufactured because the fuel tanks have a dangerous tendency to catch fire or explode during a side collision.

Past Lawsuits Based on Pickup Fuel Tank Explosions

In federal court litigation against General Motors, Lieff Cabraser served as court-appointed Co-Lead Counsel representing a class of 4.7 million plaintiffs who owned 1973-1987 GM C/K pickup trucks with allegedly defective gas tanks. The complaint alleged GM breached its warranties and consumer protection laws based on the reduction in the value of their trucks due to the fuel tank design.

In addition, since the early 1990's, individual personal injury lawsuits have been filed against General Motors by owners of pickup trucks with side-saddle fuel tanks who were injured or killed in side collisions. Hundreds of persons have died in collision-related fires in GM trucks produced from 1973 to 1987.

New Gas Tank Explosion and Accident Lawsuits

Injured drivers and passengers, and the families of loved ones who have died in crashes and fires involving passenger vehicles, SUVs, pickup trucks and semi trucks may bring claims against vehicle manufacturers for producing cars, trucks and SUVs with an unreasonable risk of catching fire in an accident or collision.

Damages sought have included:

Lieff Cabraser is committed to providing the very best representation and support possible for our clients, and to investing the time and resources necessary to succeed in every case we bring against the nation's largest auto and truck manufacturers as well as foreign manufacturers. Learn more about our firm..

Contact Car and SUV Fire and Fuel Tank Accident Lawyer | Attorney

If you were personally injured, or a loved one was killed in a vehicle fire, please contact an automotive defect attorney at Lieff Cabraser experienced in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases against auto manufacturers. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.

You may also contact us by telephone toll free at 1-800 541-7358 and request to speak to vehicle fire attorney Fabrice Vincent. We will also investigate vehicles made by other manufacturers that caught fire and led to an injury, death or significant property damage.