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Gas Tank Explosion

Gas tank explosions in motor vehicles cause thousands of severe injuries and deaths each year. Most of these injuries are caused by defects in the design and development of the vehicle, especially the incorrect placement of the vehicle’s gas tank. Many older vehicles are equipped with side saddle gas tanks and have gas tanks that are mounted on the outside of the vehicle’s frame. Newer cars and trucks have gas tanks located inside the vehicle’s frame. Cars and trucks equipped with side saddle gas tanks are extremely dangerous due to the lack of protection of the gas tank in the event of an accident.

The public was has not been made fully aware of the potential for serious injury and death that cars and trucks with side saddle gas tanks pose. Many vehicles that have dangerous gas tanks are made knowingly by vehicle manufacturers who choose to risk the lives of passengers, rather than spend a few extra dollars to correct this design defect in their vehicles.

Recently, General Motors (GM) settled close to 300 cases in which passengers involved in pickup truck accidents suffered severe burns and burn-related deaths due to this design defect. GM paid the victims and their families a settlement of over $495 million dollars. It was discovered that GM had been aware of the gas tank defects and did nothing to correct it. GM has previously been involved in lawsuits involving defective gas tanks on its cars and trucks.

Many people suffered serious burns and death as a result of the defective gas tank of the Ford Pinto. Ford recalled approximately 1.5 million Pinto’s, due to a design defect of the gas tank. The gas tank made the vehicle more likely to catch fire and explode in rear-impact accidents.

The Crown Victoria, a car that is used in many states as a police vehicle, has a history of deadly gas tank explosions. Exploding gas tank accidents in these vehicles have resulted in the deaths of many police officers throughout the country. The federal government is currently investigating the design defects of the Crown Victoria and the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

People who have been involved in accidents involving gas tank explosions usually suffer permanent scarring, disfigurement and death. If you or a loved one has suffered serious burns or other injuries as the result of an exploding gas tank, you should seek the advice of an experienced and skillful auto product liability lawyer immediately.

Call Bisnar | Chase now to speak to an experienced lawyer.

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Bisnar | Chase 2006-2008 - Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Bisnar | Chase has received this award for three consecutive years.

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