Chevrolet Traverse Explodes After Engine Ignites Gas From Leaky Fuel Line
In July, a Chesapeake, Virginia father lost his life trying to save his young son from a car fire caused by a leaking fuel line on his 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. Joseph A. Weschler, a chief petty officer in the Navy, was driving his family home after taking them to Kings Dominion for Military Appreciation Day.
Weschler struggled to remove his 4 year-old son from his car seat after the Traverse caught fire from a leak in the fuel line. Unable to free his son, Weschler succumbed to the flames while shielding the boy. A passerby ultimately rescued the child. Weschler's wife was rescued by another passerby. Moments later, the Traverse exploded. The boy and his mother were treated at a local hospital for severe burns from the fire.
No Signs of Danger
Prior to the accident, there was not any indication of a defective fuel system. Although 39 technical service bulletins have been issued for the 2011 Traverse, none address a problem with the fuel line. The only recall for the Traverse, which is part of a popular line of crossover and SUV vehicles manufactured by General Motors, had been last year when the automaker recalled a series of 2009 and 2010 models due to a defect in the rear seatbelts which left them vulnerable to damage that could prevent the seatbelts from properly closing.
Fuel Line Defects Not Unusual
While some may attribute the high incidence of fuel line failures to external factors such as road debris, tampering by a rodent or human, or a lack of maintenance; these same factors could also be viewed as a defect. In fact, problems with the fuel system are one of the most common types of car defects. A list of the most frequent auto deficiencies are as follows:
- Failure of airbag to deploy upon impact
- Failure of a door latch to stay secure during a collision
- Defective gas tank or fuel line
- Defective glass that causes it to be easily compromised in an accident
- Failure of roof supports to prevent collapse in rollover crash
- Various failures of seat belts, including ripping, tearing, unlatch, etc.
- General design defects that make vehicles more likely to roll over
In Missouri, there are three theories of recovery against an automotive parts manufacturer; strict liability, negligence and breach of implied warranty of fitness. A design defect is typically associated with a strict liability claim. Courts view an automotive product as defective if its design makes it unreasonably dangerous or it is more dangerous than an ordinary consumer would expect.
Sometimes products are not defective in their design, but there are defects in how they were made or installed. In those instances, the manufacturer may be liable for their negligence. Auto manufacturer injury attorneys are familiar with the technical aspects of car defect cases and investigate to determine the true cause of the fuel line failure.
Signs of a Fuel Line Leak
There are a few ways to detect a fuel line leak in your vehicle. A few things to watch out for are:
- The car using more gas than usual
- Puddles of liquid underneath the vehicle
- The smell of raw gasoline
Although a fuel line leak may not always be this obvious, regular maintenance of your vehicle with an automotive professional will make it more likely that these defects will be discovered. Also, keeping a fire extinguisher in your car is a simple safety measure that could very easily help save a life.
Each state has time limits established for bringing a claim against a company for a products liability action. Missouri requires a products liability case to be initiated within five years of the injury. If a claim is not filed within that time, the injured person loses his or her right to bring one.
If either you or a family member has been injured by a defective vehicle or other product, you should contact an experienced Missouri products liability attorney who understands the complexities of a defective auto parts case.
