Firefighters in California used about 50,000 gallons of water to douse a flaming battery in a Tesla semi-truck fire after a crash.
According to an Associated Press news report, firefighters used an aircraft to drop fire retardant around the electric truck as a precaution. That was in addition to the massive amount of water used to battle the flames. Firefighters said that the battery hit temperatures of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit while it was ablaze.
NTSB Investigation into Tesla Semi-Truck Fire and Battery
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent its investigators to the site of the Aug. 19, 2024 crash. The accident happened along Interstate 80 near Emigrant Gap, roughly 70 miles northeast of Sacramento.
A Tesla employee from Livermore, California, was driving the vehicle to a Tesla facility in Sparks, Nevada.
The Semi went off the roadway while rounding a curve and hit a tree, according to the NTSB report. The driver was not injured. Following the crash, the semi’s lithium-ion battery caught fire.
The freeway was shut down for about 15 hours as firefighters made sure the batteries were cool enough to recover the truck. NTSB is still investigating the cause of the crash and said it intends to issue safety recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future.
The agency has said it will look into fire risks posed by the truck’s large lithium-ion battery. NTSB investigators also determined that the truck was not operating on one of Tesla’s partially automated driving systems at the time of the crash.
Following an investigation in 2021, the NTSB determined that high-voltage electric vehicle battery fires pose risks to first responders. They said the manufacturers’ guidelines about how to deal with such fires were inadequate.
Tesla began delivering the electric Semis in December 2022, more than three years after the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, said his company would start making the trucks. He has said the Semi has a range of 500 miles when pulling an 82,000-pound load.
It’s Not Easy to Put Out a Tesla Battery Fire
One of the unique challenges associated with extinguishing Tesla battery fires, including this Tesla semi-truck fire, is the nature of lithium-ion batteries themselves. These batteries store a significant amount of energy in a compact space. When damaged, they can release a large amount of heat and toxic gases.
When a Tesla battery catches fire, it can be difficult to contain due to the following factors:
- Thermal runaway: If the battery’s internal temperature increases significantly, it can trigger a process called thermal runaway. This can cause a chain reaction, leading to the rapid release of heat and energy, making the fire more intense and difficult to extinguish.
- Toxic fumes: Burning lithium-ion batteries can release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. These gases can be harmful to firefighters and bystanders, requiring specialized equipment and protective gear.
- Deep-seated fires: Because of the battery pack’s complex structure and the potential for internal short circuits, fires can be deep-seated and difficult to reach. Traditional firefighting methods may not be effective in putting out the flames completely.
- Reignition risk: Even after a fire appears to be extinguished, there is a risk of reignition due to the remaining heat and energy stored in the battery pack. This can make it challenging to determine when the fire is truly out.
Vehicle Fires and the Potential for Severe Burn Injuries
Vehicle fires can result in devastating damage and pose significant risks to passengers, bystanders, and emergency responders. These fires are often the result of mechanical failures, electrical issues, fuel leaks, or accidents. In the United States, about 171,500 highway vehicle fires occur annually, leading to hundreds of fatalities and numerous burn injuries.
The materials used in modern vehicles, such as plastics and synthetic fibers, can release toxic fumes when burned, exacerbating the dangers. This includes lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles.
Burn injuries from vehicle fires range from minor to severe and can be life-threatening depending on the intensity and duration of exposure to heat and flames. First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin, while third-degree burns destroy deeper tissues, requiring extensive medical treatment, such as skin grafts and surgeries.
Survivors of severe burns may face long-term physical and psychological challenges, including disfigurement, chronic pain, and emotional trauma.
Compensation for Burn Injuries Caused by Vehicle Defects
Compensation for burn injuries caused by defective vehicles can involve significant legal claims, as these injuries often lead to substantial medical expenses, long-term treatment, and emotional trauma.
When a vehicle defect, such as defective design, faulty wiring, fuel system issues, or malfunctioning components, causes a fire or contributes to its severity, the injured party may pursue compensation through a product liability claim.
Under product liability law, manufacturers, designers, or even retailers can be held liable if it can be proven that the vehicle had a defect that led to the fire.
There are generally three types of defects that can lead to claims: design defects (inherent flaws in the vehicle’s design), manufacturing defects (errors made during the production of the vehicle), and marketing defects (failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions).
Victims of burn injuries are often entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: Covering both current and future costs related to treatment, rehabilitation, and surgeries/procedures.
- Lost wages: Compensation for income lost during recovery and, in severe cases, future earning potential if the injuries result in permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering: Damages awarded for the physical and emotional trauma associated with severe burn injuries, which often involve disfigurement and long-term suffering.
- Punitive damages: In some cases, courts may award punitive damages if the manufacturer’s negligence is considered particularly egregious, intended to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior.
Consulting with an experienced product defect attorney is essential for navigating the complexities of such claims and ensuring that you are fairly and fully compensated for all your losses. Contact a renowned auto defect lawyer who will stand up to large corporations and help you protect your legal rights.
Bisnar Chase is a nationally renowned auto defect law firm with an outstanding success rate in taking on major vehicle manufacturers. Contact our team for a free consultation.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/tesla-semi-fire-battery-crash-water-firefighters-7ff04a61e562b80b73e057cfd82b6165
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