Texas Accident & Injury News
Several different parts of the vehicle can catch fire after an auto accident.
Single-Vehicle Rollover Crash Near U.S. 281 Ends in Deadly Fire
According to a KSAT News report, a fiery rollover accident claimed one life very early this morning.
Police reported the accident occurred at around 12:30 a.m. on March 14th, on the 10500 block of San Pedro Avenue, near Highway 281 just west of the Airport. A Jeep was traveling southbound on San Pedro Avenue and reportedly lost control of the vehicle for unknown reasons, veering off the road and rolling onto the grassy median. The Jeep then struck an embankment and caught fire. After extinguishing the flames, the police found one person inside the vehicle, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The person has not been identified, and the investigation is ongoing.
Did You Know?
Roughly 300,000 cars catch fire every year in the United States.
What Kind of Car Catches Fire the Most?
Auto accidents are scary and stressful situations to be in, especially if someone gets hurt. But when a car catches fire after an accident, the situation quickly escalates to a life-threatening one.
There are many reasons why a car can catch fire, and some cars are more likely to do so than others.
Most At-Risk Vehicles by Type
Many people worry that electric vehicles are dangerous because they can easily catch fire. That reasoning makes sense, considering that electrical parts are big contributors to car fires across the United States. However, data from the NTSB and other sources found that the most likely cars to catch fire from least to greatest are:
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): 25.1 per 100k fires,
- Gas: 1529.9per 100k fires,
- Hybrid (Gas + Electric): 3474.5 per 100k fires.
So, while electric vehicles have more electrical parts, hybrid engines that use both gasoline and electric power seem to be the more dangerous combination.
Most Likely to Catch Fire by Brand
Here’s a summary of the most likely vehicles to catch on fire by brand:
- Kia/Hyundai — Over 3,000 caught fire between 2010 and 2023, over 2 million recalled.
- Subaru — Recently recalled over 200,000 units for faulty parts, leading to fire risk.
- Chevrolet — Over 50,000 2017-2022 Bolts recalled over fire risk.
- Mitsubishi — 45,000 units were recently recalled over fire risk.
- Ford — Over 39,000 units were recently recalled for fire risk.
- Mercedes-Benz — Almost 28,000 recalled for fire risk.
Why Do Cars Catch Fire?
There are many reasons vehicles can catch fire, even without being in an accident. Some of the most common reasons for car fires are:
- Forgotten Cigarettes — Catching interior parts on fire.
- Electrical Issues — Broken wiring or overheating can cause electrical fires.
- Defective Parts — Lithium-ion batteries, loose wiring, and other improperly installed or defective parts can lead to serious vehicle fires.
- Leaking Fuel — Leaking fuel after an accident can be sparked by electrical components in the vehicle, causing a serious fire.
How to Get Compensation After a Car Fire in San Antonio?
If you were burned in a car fire caused by an accident or a defective vehicle part, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- Surgeries,
- Disfigurement,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Property Damage,
- Lost Work,
- Loss of Earning Capacity,
- Wrongful Death,
- And more.
We can help you find out if your case qualifies for free.
Carabin Shaw’s burn injury attorneys have been representing those burned in car fires across Texas for over 30 years. We’re a trusted name in San Antonio because we put our clients first. Call our team today if you were severely burned in a car fire at 800-862-1260 to schedule your free case evaluation. We look forward to serving you.
Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.