Exploding Gas Tank Injuries in San Jose
Call Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP at (800) 900-0863
While there are numerous hazards present in every car accident, one of the most frequent deadly factors is a gas tank explosion. Should a gas tank explode, vehicle occupants and everyone near the accident is put at sudden and severe risk of suffering catastrophic injuries.
Contact us today to begin building your case in a free evaluation.
The Deadly Nature of Gas Tank Explosions
Should a gas tank be ruptured in the course of an accident, the explosion and fire that erupts can fatally injure all nearby individuals in a matter of moments. These incidents can occur during impact or shortly after a crash as fuel leaks and is ignited by a heat source. A gas tank explosion is large enough to engulf the entire vehicle as well as the immediate surrounding area. Anyone inside the car or in close proximity at the moment of the explosion will almost certainly suffer severe burns and other injuries from the impact of flying debris.
Often, the force and heat of the explosion is great enough to cause immediate death, while those who survive are often left with severe and widespread burn injuries. Additionally, these incidents are not usually expected unless the vehicle has already begun to burn, putting unsuspecting bystanders at risk.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Accident?
While gas tank explosions are an unfortunate result of many accidents, the common fuel tank will never explode in a crash.
In order for this to happen, the tank must be either:
- Severely compromised in the accident
- Defective in the first place
As they contain combustible liquids and heat-producing machinery, vehicles are meant to have many safety features in place to prevent a fire or explosion. Unfortunately, many automakers create faulty fuel tanks and systems that may fail catastrophically in the course of an accident. In some cases, the automaker does not take into account how the tank may be damaged during a crash.
While a driver whose negligence or recklessness caused the accident can be held liable for damages that resulted from the crash, the injuries or fatalities that result when the fuel tank explodes may be the fault of the manufacturer. Through personal injury or wrongful death claims, individuals who suffered losses in the fuel tank explosion can seek compensation from the at-fault automaker and its insurance company. For a claim to be successful, it must be proven that the fuel tank failure was the result of the car company's manufacture, design of the tank, or the vehicle as a whole.
Dedicated Attorneys, Successful Cases
If you or your loved one has suffered losses in an accident related to a fuel tank failure, our auto product liability attorneys serving all of Northern California at Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP can provide you with the legal representation you need in filing your claim and pursuing compensation. With our help, you can be able to prove the auto manufacturer's role in the accident and gain the help you need for all losses that resulted.
Call our offices today at (800) 900-0863 for a free consultation on your case.
A TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS
Millions Recovered for Our Clients-
Wrongful Death Skydiving Accident $40,030,000
Attorney Paul Van Der Walde recovered a total of $40,030,000 in compensation for a couple bereft of their 18-year-old son in a tandem skydiving accident.
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School Bus vs. Pedestrian Accident $8,825,000
School bus vs. pedestrian accident resulting in traumatic brain injury.
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Train Maintenance Vehicle vs. Auto $7,411,492
Caputo & Van Der Walde received a jury verdict in the amount of $7,411,492 for a surviving widow, who lost her husband when his pickup truck was involved in a collision with an on-track maintenance of way vehicle.
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3rd-Degree Burns During a Pedicure $7,291,986
Paul Caputo received a $7,291,985.58 decision for Plaintiff in a case where a client received severe 3rd-degree burns during a pedicure, resulting in the need for numerous skin grafting procedures.
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Paraplegia from Defective Seat $5,650,000
Product liability case involving a defective seat design that resulted in paraplegia.
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Pick-up Truck vs. Pedestrian Accident $4,250,000
Pedestrian crossing a four-lane street in the crosswalk, hit by a full-size pick-up truck. Injuries included a left knee dislocation with complete tears of all ligaments and requiring surgery, right scaphoid fracture requiring surgery, right shoulder AC joint separation with clavicle fracture and PTSD.
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Auto vs. Bicycle Accident $4,000,000
Bicycle rider attempted to maneuver to his left, around a recessed manhole in the bike lane, and was struck by a vehicle that was driving too closely to the bike lane. Significant injuries included traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, and permanent brain damage.
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Big Rig vs. Auto Accident $3,000,000
Big rig vs. auto accident resulting in wrongful death.
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Physical Abuse $3,000,000
Child protective services failed to adequately protect young child from physically abusive foster parents.
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Injury Onboard a SCTVA Bus $3,000,000
Injury onboard a SCTVA bus resulting in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
Client Testimonials
Highly Rated & Reviewed-
“I am happy with the outcome and highly recommend Caputo and Van Der Walde to anyone seeking an injury lawyer.”
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“Our lawyer and his entire staff were extremely approachable and effective in getting a very good settlement from my own insurance company's under-insured motorist coverage. Our lawyer guided my husband and me through the process.”
- Chris G. -
“Paul has a great understanding of people's rights and drives to obtain all that is due to you. He listens and answers questions that anyone could understand without legalize. I contacted him through the recommendation of a friend.”
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