Man Killed in Vehicle Fire After Car Heater Explodes in Medina County

According to a KSAT News report, an unidentified man has died in a vehicle fire after a car heater exploded.

The Medina County Fire Department reported that the fire started at around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, February 17th, at a rest area off of U.S. Highway 90. An unidentified man was sleeping in the backseat of his vehicle with the heater on to keep warm when the heater exploded, causing a massive vehicle fire. Evidence from the scene was sent to a lab to determine the cause of the fire. The Medina County Medical Examiner’s Office is working with the Sheriff’s Department to identify the man.

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Did You Know?

Passenger cars and trucks are responsible for 83% of all highway vehicle fires.

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Vehicle Fires Caused by Defective Heating Elements

Texas is (finally) experiencing warmer temperatures throughout the day, but low temperatures overnight and in the early morning can still put you at risk of a vehicle fire caused by defective heating elements.

If you are injured or lose a loved one due to a vehicle fire caused by a defective heating element in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer.

What Causes Defective Heating Elements to Catch Fire?

Only 12% of vehicle fires originate in the passenger compartment. Surprisingly, only 7% of these fires are from smoking or some other type of open flame in the passenger compartment. The other 5% are from issues like:

• Electrical Defects,
• Airbag Defects,
• Defective Heaters,
• And Defective Heating Elements.

Faulty switches or wiring can cause heated seats and steering wheels to overheat. Heaters can leak coolant, have a malfunctioning thermostat, or have electrical problems like blown fuses that can cause a fire.

The USFA estimates that insulation around electrical wiring in a car is the first thing to ignite in highway vehicle fires 30% of the time.

Proper maintenance and avoiding open flames in your vehicle will protect you from most vehicle fires like this. But, if your vehicle catches fire despite regular maintenance because of a defective part, you could be entitled to compensation for property damage and resulting injuries.

What To Do If Your Car Catches Fire

Only about 5% of car fires are the result of a collision–however, fires from a collision account for 60% of all fatal vehicle fires.

If you were in an accident or not, if your car catches fire:

• Pull Over Immediately — Get as far away from traffic as possible, but move quickly.
• Turn the Engine Off — As you exit the vehicle, turn off the engine.
• Get at Least 100 ft Away — That’s about 7 car lengths away.
• Call 9-1-1 — As soon as you have reached a safe distance, call for emergency services.

Additional tips to keep in mind as you escape:

• Don’t Go Back for Personal Items — If the fire reaches the fuel tank, it can cause a deadly explosion.
• Don’t Open the Hood — If you suspect your vehicle is burning, opening the hood or trunk can flood the compartment with fresh air, making the fire worse and potentially exposing you to injuries.
• Be Aware of Traffic — Remain aware of your surroundings and avoid putting yourself in unnecessary danger.

Injured in a Defective Vehicle Fire in Texas? Call Shaw!

If a defective vehicle part caused your car to catch fire and you were injured, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment
• Disfigurement,
• Surgeries,
• Medical Bills,
• Property Damage,
• Missed Work,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• Wrongful Death,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to schedule your free case evaluation with an experienced product liability attorney. There are no fees or obligations attached–just the expert legal advice you need. Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas for over 32 years because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.

 

¹KSAT Report

²Highway Vehicle Fire Data