How Often Do Truck Crashes Result in Fires?

Aside from the small amount of electric rigs, the majority of the 14 million trucks on the road are running on diesel fuel.

If that truck has a full tank, it could have up to 100 gallons of that combustible liquid. That makes it a vehicle that is at a heightened risk of catching fire. ABC7 reported on a recent crash in Aurora on I-88 where a truck collided with a car, and the truck caught on fire. Although certainly sensational, is this the norm? How often do truck crashes result in fires?

According to the most recent data collected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 171,500 incidents occurred across the country. Of that number, 8.8%, or 15,092, were truck fires.

Main Causes of Truck Fires

While all of that diesel fuel is combustible, there still needs to be an ignition trigger. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) breaks down the main causes like this:

• Mechanical failure or malfunction – 59%
• Electrical failure or malfunction – 13%
• Exposure fire – 4%
• Collision, overturn, or run over – 3%
• Intentional – 2%
• Smoking materials – 1%

Diving into the details, here’s where those sparks can come from:

Brakes

A truck’s brake system gets a lot of workouts, especially when it’s carrying a heavy load.

When deployed, those brakes can quickly become overheated. If excessive grease is around the brake systems when they are overheating, a spark could set the grease on fire and spread to the fuel tank. This can all happen while the truck is moving as opposed to the aftermath of a crash.

Wheel Bearings

Wheel bearings are another checkpoint that truck drivers need to watch out for. These bearings can be found on the trucks’ axle ends, but they present the opposite problem with the brakes. Bearings that lack proper lubrication can overheat, and the friction can cause sparks.

Wheel bearings have to be correctly installed to avoid over-tightening them. And just because they need grease doesn’t mean overloading the bearings with grease. That will cause its own problems.

Air Leaks

If there is an air leak somewhere along the line, it can lead to brakes overheating. That can set off any nearby flammable materials.

Tires

When brakes and bearings fail, tires can overheat and burst into flames. Once a fire starts, it is extremely challenging to put out and often requires firefighters to provide a continuous stream of water.

Pre-trip Checklist

Truck drivers are required to conduct pre-trip checklists of their rigs to prevent fires. The following are some of the areas that truck drivers should review before they take to the road.

• Tire Inspection
• Lights and Reflectors Check
• Brake Examination
• Engine Inspection
• Fuel Tank and Battery Check
• Fluid Inspection
• Windshield
• Mirrors with Swivel Mounts
• Coupling System Assessment
• Trailer Examination
• Back of the Truck Inspection

Failure to conduct these pre-trip inspections can lead to accidents. More importantly, they can be a factor in a future insurance claim. It could be considered negligence if the truck driver did not ensure their rig was safe for the journey.

Negotiating for Compensation

If you are involved in a fiery crash with a big rig, it can lead to serious injuries and damage to your car.

As you focus on your recovery and repairs, you should reach out to the Thomas Law Offices for guidance. We have years of experience dealing with truck accidents. In crashes that involve fires, there could also be underlying mechanical issues where a service tech or manufacturer could be held partially liable.

We want to provide you with the support you need to get through the entire claims process.