As you know, fires can be devastating and have the potential to cause significant harm to all involved.
There are a number of ways in which a semi-truck can catch fire. However, these types of disasters are typically preventable with proper inspections and maintenance.
The Reasons Why Commercial Trucks Catch Fire
The following are the leading causes of commercial vehicle fires:
- Mechanical failure or malfunction – 59%
- Electrical failure or malfunction – 13%
- Exposure fire – 4%
- Collision, overturn, or run over – 3%
- Intentional – 2%
- Smoking materials – 1%
As you can see, mechanical failures and malfunctions cause most commercial truck fires. Luckily, these types of fires do not often result in fatalities. Only about 7% of deaths due to vehicle fire fatalities are the result of a mechanical failure or malfunction.
By contrast, the fatality rate for semi-truck fires as a result of a collision, overturn, or run-over is 79%. Even though these types of truck fires are not as common as others, unfortunately, they are the deadliest.
It is important to note that the majority of large truck fires tend to occur on highways or divided highways, which suggests there may be a connection between big rig fires and high-speed collisions.
We Can Help if You’ve Been Hurt
Getting injured due to another’s negligence is not only unfair, but it is also unacceptable. If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident through no fault of your own and need a truck accident lawyer in Indianapolis, we will help you get justice. Our team is highly skilled in truck accident personal injury law and has helped many others in situations just like yours. Don’t delay—reach out right away to discuss the details of your case.
Contact Christie Farrell Lee & Bell today with the details of your case by calling 317-488-5500 or filling out our online contact form to learn more about how we can help.