Post-crash fires don't always result from driver error alone. Severe burn injuries might also happen due to vehicle defects, maintenance failures, and design flaws. Nevertheless, identifying all responsible parties requires a thorough investigation and legal experience.
At Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group, our Texas burn injury lawyers help victims reveal all potentially liable parties and pursue the compensation needed for physical, emotional, and financial recovery. Since negligent motor vehicle accidents often involve multiple defendants, you deserve to have a legal team fully dedicated to catastrophic injury cases like these to help you secure the justice you and your family deserve.
Multiple Parties May Share Burn Injury Liability After an Accident
Car crash burn injuries rarely result from a single cause. Several parties may bear responsibility for your damages, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. With more than 60 years combined experience working on state and federal cases, we know the value of closely examining all evidence to find sources of negligence, which might include one or more of the following.
At-Fault Driver
The most obvious defendant is the person who caused the collision. Their reckless actions—such as speeding, distracted driving, or running a red light—created the initial impact that led to your burn injuries. Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 33.001, negligent drivers are legally responsible for damages they cause up to their percentage of fault, which may result in substantial compensation for life-changing injuries such as catastrophic burns.
Vehicle Manufacturers
Defective vehicle components can turn a minor collision into a fire hazard. Modern cars contain numerous safety features designed to prevent post-crash fires. When these systems fail, the manufacturer could be found liable.
Common vehicle defects that contribute to burn injuries include:
- Faulty fuel system design that allows gasoline to leak during crashes
- Defective battery systems in electric or hybrid vehicles
- Inadequate fire suppression systems
- Poorly designed fuel tank placement that increases rupture risk during impact
Fuel System Designers and Suppliers
Third-party companies that design or supply fuel system components may share liability when their products contribute to post-accident fires. These manufacturers must ensure their products meet strict safety standards for crash protection.
Maintenance Providers and Mechanics
Improper vehicle maintenance can create fire hazards that increase burn injury risk. Mechanics who fail to properly maintain fuel systems, electrical components, or safety equipment might bear responsibility when their negligence contributes to post-crash fires.
Investigating Burn Injury Liability Requires Specialized Knowledge
Unlike other types of collisions, burn injury cases often involve multiple technical factors that require specialized knowledge to understand and prove.
Accident Reconstruction Analysis
Our skilled burn injury lawyers at Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group partner with accident reconstruction experts who analyze crash dynamics, vehicle damage patterns, and fire spread to determine what caused the post-accident fire. This analysis helps confirm whether vehicle defects, maintenance failures, or other factors contributed to your injuries.
Product Liability Investigation
When defective products contribute to burn injuries, our attorneys must examine design documents, manufacturing records, and testing data to prove the product's role in causing the fire. This investigation often requires extensive discovery from multiple manufacturers and suppliers.
Medical Documentation
Establishing the full extent of your or a loved one’s burn injuries requires detailed medical documentation. Our legal team has an extensive network of burn specialists, plastic surgeons, and other medical professionals to document current injuries and project future treatment needs.
How Our Texas Burn Injury Lawyers Help You on the Road to Recovery
These complex medical cases present unique challenges that make professional legal representation crucial for protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery.
Multiple Insurance Companies
When several parties share liability in motor vehicle burn injury cases, you may face multiple insurance companies, each trying to minimize their client's responsibility. Many members of Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group are former insurance company defense attorneys, so we know exactly how to fight for your interests when insurers are trying to protect their profits.
Complex Legal Standards
Product liability claims, negligence actions, and other legal theories each have specific requirements for proving liability in burn cases. Our Plano burn injury lawyers understand these standards and know how to build compelling cases against all responsible parties.
Substantial Damages
Burn injuries often result in high recovery expenses, including extensive medical treatment, multiple surgeries, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and permanent disfigurement. You deserve a dedicated legal team like ours that not only expertly calculates all current and future catastrophic costs but also isn’t afraid to take your case to court to fight for the economic and non-economic damages you deserve.
The road to recovery after suffering burn injuries in a motor vehicle accident is long and difficult. However, you don't have to face this journey alone. With proper legal guidance, you can focus on healing while our experienced professionals handle the burden of pursuing justice.