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Car Fires in San Diego, CA

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, 20% of all fires reported to the fire department are vehicle fires. That's an average of over 150,000 car fires a year. For some perspective, that is 17 vehicle fires every hour. With such an intense rate of occurrence, drivers who are injured in car fires need skilled and relentless representation to make sure they receive the compensation they deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car fire, reach out to The McClellan Law Firm for a free case evaluation today. We can help you determine your next step.

Auto Accident Claims Involving Faulty Fuel Lines & Fires

Because cars run on several different kinds of flammable liquids, chiefly gasoline, cars are most vulnerable to engine compartment fires. While the firewall—the wall between your legs and the engine—can provide some time for passengers to leave the car, it does not keep the smoke and fumes from reaching the interior of the car. This can be incredibly harmful, as the primary cause of death or long-term injury from fires is smoke.

Cars and trucks should be designed to protect occupants, as well as the fuel system, in a car crash. Nevertheless, investigations of auto accidents involving post-collision fuel-fed fires often shows a defect in a car's fuel system unreasonably increased the risk of fire, causing serious burn injuries.

When a car fire was caused by fuel spilling or leaking after impact, we can often show that a simple, inexpensive valve installed at any of several points of the fuel system would have prevented fluid from flowing. We treat car fire cases as automotive defects claims and proceed against the vehicle's manufacturer on a product liability theory.

With the help of experts, we develop and present evidence to prove any one or more of the following facts relating to defective fuel systems:

  • Improper fuel tank placement
  • Defects in the gas tank filler neck
  • Failure of the integrity of the fuel system
  • Unreasonable defects causing the fuel system to leak
  • Unreasonable defects causing fuel to siphon from an intact system

Contact an Experienced San Diego Auto Defect Attorney

With a caseload limited to 15 at a time, we are able to devote the attention that complex cases require to recover the full amount of compensation you need to support a long period of disability, convalescence, and recovery. Our ability to integrate product liability concepts and claims into the litigation of motor vehicle collision and rollover accidents can represent a powerful advantage in favor of our clients.

In burn injury cases, we also work closely with our clients so that the best possible treatment and rehabilitative therapy are available to them. Our carefully limited caseload allows us to emphasize client communication and accessibility while working intensively on both the liability and damages components of a case.

For a free consultation about your case, contact our San Diego personal injury lawyers.

Your Experienced Legal Team

For over 30 years, The McClellan Law Firm has been dedicated to helping clients across California secure justice and protect their futures. Founded by renowned attorney Craig R. McClellan, the firm has earned a reputation for excellence and integrity in the legal field. With decades of experience and a commitment to achieving results, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional representation and unwavering support to every client we serve.

  • The Inner Circle
    Craig McClellan is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in the United States.
  • Best Lawyers 2025
    Craig McClellan was voted Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation by Best Lawyers for 2025.
  • Best Law Firms 2025
    The firm earned a Tier 1 ranking in Personal Injury in the 2025 list of the Best Law Firms.
  • Top 10 Settlements - med mal
    Craig McClellan earned one of the top 10 medical malpractice settlements in California, securing a $9,000,000 settlement for a client.
  • Top 10 Settlements - Prem Liability
    Craig McClellan & Conor Hulburt earned one of the top 10 premises liability settlements in California, securing a $3,175,850 settlement for a client.
  • SuperLawyers Top 10
    Craig McClellan has been selected to the list of Super Lawyers every year since 2007, and earned the most votes of ANY lawyer for 2019 in San Diego.
  • AV Preeminent
    Craig McClellan was voted Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation by Best Lawyers for 2019.
  • America's Top 100
    Craig McClellan is listed as one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators in Business Litigation, Personal Injury, and Product Liability.
  • AVVO Top 10
    Attorney McClellan has a 10/10 “Superb” rating, the highest rating an attorney can receive from Avvo.
  • BBB
    The firm has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the highest possible rating offered by the organization.
  • Consumer Attorneys
    Attorney McClellan is a member of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, and previously served on its Board of Directors.
  • LA Times
    Attorney Craig McClellan was named as one of the “Best Attorneys” by the Los Angeles Times.
  • SD Metro
    Attorney Craig McClellan was named one of the “Best Lawyers” by San Diego Metro.
  • SD Magazine
    Attorney Craig McClellan was named one of the Top Lawyers in San Diego in Business Litigation by San Diego Magazine.
  • LawDragon
    Craig McClellan has been named among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, which honors the nation’s top advocates.
  • “I swear they work 24/7! And most importantly, we knew that they truly cared about us and the outcome. They fought for our family and have given us the piece of mind that our son's healthcare will always be covered.”
    S.P.
  • “We will NEVER forget what you did for us Craig. We are FOREVER GRATEFUL.”
    K.V.
  • “We wouldn’t be here, in this moment of life without the kindness and professionalism of you all and how you went to bat for us! Eternally grateful!”
    A.K.

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