Faulty Jeep Cherokee Gas Tank May be to Blame for 254 Deaths

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 1993 to 2004 Jeep Cherokees have been involved in 172 car accidents that resulted in 254 deaths nationwide. In every one of these car accident cases the vehicle that was struck caught fire. The Center for Auto Safety feels a faulty gas tank may to be blame.

The gas tank in question was installed on over three million Jeep Cherokees. It is made from plastic and located under the rear axle. The Center for Auto Safety believes that if the Jeep is struck by a lower riding vehicle from behind the lower vehicle may strike the gas tank leading to a possible explosion. AutoWeek also reported that the fuel filler neck, which is attached to the gas tank, can become detached resulting in fuel being spilled and another potential fire risk.

The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to open an investigation on all Jeep Cherokees manufactured between 1993 and 2004. If approved, the investigation may lead to a recall of all three million Jeep Cherokees.

The investigation may only last a few months, but could go on as long as a few years. Meanwhile these Jeep Cherokees are still on the road and the numbers of fiery car accidents are climbing. If you or a loved one were involved in a car fire resulting from this gas tank you do not have to wait for a national recall for help. A personal injury attorney can work with you to prove the auto maker’s responsibility and help you obtain damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

 

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law. Our law firm has offices in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (NC) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). Our attorneys have handled thousands of automobile negligence cases involving cars, trucks, trains, and motorcycles. We would be pleased to send you one of our FREE reports about car accident cases, including our special report on distracted driving or our Best Guide to Car Accident Injuries in North Carolina. Our lawyers hold licenses in NC, VA, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube .  In addition, our lawyers proudly edit the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, as well as the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.

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