Can My Car Spontaneously Combust?
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota. QZ recently reported that Rome’s buses are spontaneously combusting. According to the report, 20 buses spontaneously combusted in 2017, and two buses burst into flames in a single day. Why are these buses bursting into flames, and what is the risk that your own car could do the same thing?
Cars are machines and they generate heat. Anything that can generate heat can, in theory, burst into flames. But how likely is it that a car will spontaneously burst into flames? Popular Science recently explored the topic, noting that all one has to do is add super glue to a cotton ball to potentially start a fire. When the fibers harden quickly, they generate heat, which could, in theory, cause a fire.
According to QZ, the buses may have exceeded their ideal service limits and experts believe that problems with insulation on the bus’s wires could have also contributed to the accident. Buses in other cities have also been known to burst into flames. In Bangkok, a short circuit led to a fire. Older vehicle models could be at risk of leaks and other problems that can put them at risk of a fire.
Yet, car manufacturers design cars knowing that many of the components will heat up and could potentially cause flames. Accordingly, they take measures to prevent spontaneous combustion. However, leaks can lead to fires. This is why car accidents can be so dangerous. Components of your car that may be sound before a crash, could become exposed after a crash or flammable fluids could leak, resulting in a fire. This is why, if you’ve been in an accident, it may be wise to get your car looked at by a competent mechanic.
Another situation that could lead to a fire is when a car is poorly designed or has flaws that came out of the factory. This is why it is often wise to check for recalls frequently and to never ignore a letter from your car’s manufacturer.
So, what can you do to protect yourself from a vehicle fire? For one, if you’ve been in an accident and see smoke coming out of your car or the other car, get away from the vehicles and ensure that others are far away from these vehicles. Secondly, make sure to take your car in for frequent tune ups, especially after a crash. Finally, check the National Traffic Safety Administration’s recall website to make sure that your car hasn’t been recalled for any flammability risks.
Car fires are rare. But when they happen, they can be deadly or incredibly harmful for everyone involved. If you or a loved was hurt in a car fire either due to another driver’s negligence or due to a product defect, consider reaching out to the Minneapolis, Minnesota personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino. Visit us at https://www.martinmontilino.com/ to learn more about how we can help.
THE LAW OFFICE OF MARTIN T. MONTILINO, LLC
3109 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: (612) 236-1320
