The Jeep Grand Cherokee is currently under federal investigation after being linked to 15 deaths and 46 injuries caused by rear-end collision gas tank explosions. Like the Ford Pinto, some models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee have a fuel tank behind the rear axle. A federal investigation recently found that rear-end collision fuel-fed fires were more common in Jeep Grand Cherokees than non-Jeeps. If you were injured or your loved one was killed in an accident, you may have a Jeep Grand Cherokee fire lawsuit.

What You Can Do & How a Jeep Grand Cherokee Fire Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Jeep Grand Cherokee fire injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured or killed by a Jeep Grand Cherokee fire, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Personal Injury and Automotive Crashworthiness Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE

August 22, 2012 – The NHTSA has also opened an investigation into fires associated with the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The potential problem is with the power steering return hose, which could rupture and leak fluid into the engine compartment and spark a fire. The NHTSA has received 2 reports of engine compartment fires and 1 complaint of a broken power steering return hose.

Overview

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a sport-utility vehicle manufactured by the American car company Chrysler.

The problem with the Jeep Grand Cherokee is due to the location of the gas tank. On some older models, the gas tank is located in a vulnerable position between the rear axle and the rear bumper. This is the same design as the Ford Pinto, which was recalled after causing dozens of horrific rear-end collision gas tank fatalities.

The following Jeep Grand Cherokees have been associated with fatal rear-end gas tank fires:

• Jeep Grand Cherokees made between 1993 and 2004 — approximately 3 million vehicles

So far, at least 15 people have died and 46 people have been injured in these types of accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently concluded an investigation and warned that “rear-impact-related tank failures and vehicle fires are more prevalent in the Jeep Grand Cherokee than in the non-Jeep peer vehicles.”

Jeep Grand Cherokee Fires

The investigation into Jeep Grand Cherokee fires began in 2009, when the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) sent a petition to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The CAS reviewed a public, nationwide database of vehicular accidents, and concluded that the Jeep Grand Cherokee was associated with an unusually high number of fatal rear-collision gas tank fires.

The CAS was concerned that the high number of fires and fatalities was due to the unsafe design of the gas tank and the area around the gas tank. Standard-issue Grand Cherokees lack a skid plate, would could potentially protect the gas tank in an accident. The CAS was also concerned that the plastic fuel tank was prone to damage, and the fuel-filler could easily rupture and spill gasoline. Fuel-fed vehicle fires can cause a massive explosion, which can easily injure or kill a passenger who is trapped inside the vehicle.

The NHTSA began a preliminary investigation in 2010, collecting more evidence for the next two years. On June 21, 2012, the NHTSA announced two things:

• Jeep Grand Cherokees were associated with more rear-collision vehicle fires than comparable non-Jeeps
• The investigation would be expanded to include Chrysler Jeep Liberty and Jeep Cherokees with similar gas tank designs.

The NHTSA is a federal regulatory agency that has the power to issue a mandatory recall when they identify safety hazards. Although they have not yet issued a Jeep Grand Cherokee recall, in May 2012, they forced Chrysler to recall nearly 90,000 Jeep Wranglers made in 2010 due to potential fire hazards.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Lawsuit

If you have a Jeep Grand Cherokee lawsuit, you could be entitled to significant financial compensation. It is important that you hire an experienced attorney who can aggressively fight for your right to compensation for pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, disability, lost income, decreased quality of life, and more.

When you buy any vehicle, you expect that the vehicle is safe for you, your family, and your friends. Unfortunately, sometimes, vehicles are not designed safely. When this happens, you expect the manufacturers to immediately issue a recall, warn you, or fix the problem. When a car manufacturer fails to do what they should’ve done to protect your safety, they could be held liable for your injury. If you were injured, you have a right to seek justice and compensation by filing a Jeep Grand Cherokee fire lawsuit.

Do I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Fire Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Jeep Grand Cherokee fire injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a Jeep Grand Cherokee fire, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Personal Injury and Automotive Crashworthiness Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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