Explosion Dangers in Older-Model Vehicles

The primary “selling points” of new vehicles include their safety features. Vehicles are updated each year with materials and parts that make them more efficient and safer for the road; many devices that were once relatively rare, such as seatbelts or anti-lock brakes, we now consider standard. In addition, the location of the engine and its internal parts has been updated through the years to improve efficiency and safety.

Fuel Tank Explosions

Before the 1980s, many vehicles had fuel tanks located behind the rear axle of the car. Unfortunately, this location is inside the “crumple zone” of the vehicle. The crumple zone is the area of a vehicle that is designed to compress during an accident, absorbing the impact of the crash. If a vehicle’s gas tank is located within the crumple zone, there is a possibility that the fuel tank can explode, even in minor crashes.

In modern vehicles, the fuel tank is usually placed in front of the rear axle, outside of the crumple zone, for safety purposes. However, in some cars and other motorized vehicles, the fuel tank may still be located behind the rear axle, increasing the risk of a fire or explosion in the event of a collision.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has been injured by an exploding fuel tank, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation for you losses. To learn more, contact the explosion victim lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ® at 800-242-2874.