Motor Vehicle Accidents - Exploding Gas Tanks
Current pickup trucks have gas tanks located inside the truck's frame, but some older trucks are equipped with side saddle gas tanks, which are mounted on the outside of the truck's frame. Side saddle gas tanks create a serious hazard due to lack of protection of the gas tank. In the event of an accident, the passengers may suffer serious injuries, including burns and even death. At the time of manufacturing, the public was not made aware of the potential for serious injury and death posed by trucks with side saddle gas tanks. Most vehicles that have dangerous gas tanks can be fixed by the manufacturer for a small price. However, motor vehicle corporations knowingly choose to risk the lives of passengers than spend a few extra dollars.
In the last decade, General Motors (GM) has settled 297 cases in which passengers involved in pickup truck accidents suffered severe burns and burn-related deaths. The company paid the victims and their families a settlement of over $495 million. The type of pickup truck involved in the horrific accidents was the C/K model. Approximately nine million of these vehicles were manufactured between 1973 and 1987, and all were equipped with side saddle gas tanks. Many years later, it was found that GM had been aware of the gas tank defects since the early 1970's. It was not the first time GM was forced to legally protect itself from accusations of defective gas tanks. The American automaker had previously settled other gas tank explosion cases, although the amounts of those settlements have not been disclosed.
In June of 1999, General Motors was forced to pay a 4.9 billion dollar settlement to six individuals who suffered serious burn injuries in a 1979 Chevy Malibu as the result of an accident. The gas tank of the car ignited during a rear-end accident, causing an explosion. The plaintiffs, two adults and four children, were awarded a $107 million settlement and another $4.8 billion for punitive damages. GM had been aware of the defective gas tank.
In June of 1978, Ford recalled approximately 1.5 million Pinto model vehicles due to a design defect of the gas tank. The gas tank made the vehicle more likely to catch fire in rear-impact types of accidents. Many people suffered serious burns to their bodies and other people died as a result of the defective gas tank of the Ford Pinto.
The Crown Victoria is a performance sedan which is used in many states as a police vehicle due to its affordable price and durable frame. Currently, hundreds of thousands of these cars are used for law enforcement purposes. Like the cars mentioned above, the Crown Victoria has a history of deadly exploding gas tanks. Accidents as a result of faulty tanks have resulted in the deaths of many distinguished and respected police officers throughout the country, as well as the accidental deaths of civilians. There are currently federal investigations into the design defects of the Crown Victoria and the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.
Victims of motor vehicle gas tank explosions may suffer painful and permanent scarring and disfigurement, if, that is, they are able to survive the accident. If you or a loved one has suffered serious burns or other injuries as the result of an exploding motor vehicle gas tank, seek the advice of an auto accident attorney immediately. You may be able to recover monetary compensation for your injuries, including medical bills, loss of wages, treatment by specialists, and other related expenses.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, permanent damage or death as the result of an exploding gas tank, call VanDerGinst Law at 1-866-843-7367 or click here for a FREE online case evaluation. The initial consultation is free of charge. If we agree to handle your injury case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if, and when, there is a money recovery for you. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. So please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
