Vehicle Fires

By PAUL WENSKE

Some safety experts are increasingly concerned that many vehicle fires are going unreported to government agencies.

AAA in October drew attention to the danger of car fires by reporting that 520 persons died in highway vehicle fires in 2004 ” more than the number who died in apartment fires. The automobile association said there were more than 266,500 vehicle fires, resulting in 1,300 injuries and nearly $1 billion in property damage.

By Greg SchneiderWashington Post Staff WriterTuesday, September 7, 2004; Page E01

Owners of new Honda CR-V sport-utility vehicles continue to report vehicle fires shortly after initial oil changes, and a federal agency is keeping an eye o­n the problem two months after closing an investigation.

INTRODUCTION

Motor vehicle injuries are a major public health problem. Vehicle crashes affect both the individual crash victims and society as a whole in numerous ways. The cost of medical care is borne by the individual through payments for uninsured expenses, by society through higher insurance premiums and through the diversion of medical resources away from other needs, such as disease control or medical research.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Washington DC

October 18, 1993

Dear General Motors Truck Dealer:

We are writing to notify you, that in our view, you face enormous potential liability losses should you sell a used General Motors pickup with side saddle gas tanks without remedying the hazard. The clear basis for your liability is explained in the attached legal memorandum from the Center for Auto Safety. General Motors itself lost a $105 million verdict in one lawsuit on these pickups.

More Information on GM C/K Pickup Fires

Court of Appeal of Louisiana,

First Circuit.

Joseph A. WHITE, III, John L. Monson and Anthony J. Cashiola, Sr.

v.

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, Brockhoeft's Chevrolet, Inc. and Hank's Pontiac-