When a vehicle or battery fire erupts, the cause matters and so does who failed to prevent it.
Vehicle and battery fires are terrifying because they can ignite quickly, burn intensely, and re-ignite without warning. Whether it starts with a lithium-ion battery in a garage, an electric vehicle in a parking structure, or a fuel-fed blaze after a collision, the aftermath is often catastrophic, with severe burns, smoke inhalation, explosions, and wrongful death.
McEldrew Purtell represents people nationwide after serious vehicle, battery, and garage fires. We investigate what triggered the fire, whether a defect or safety failure played a role, and which companies or parties should be held responsible.
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Why These Fires Are Different and Often More Dangerous
Vehicle and battery fires can behave differently than typical structure fires:
- High heat and rapid spread can trap occupants or block exits in garages and attached homes
- Battery thermal runaway can cause violent flare-ups and re-ignition
- Toxic smoke from burning plastics, foams, and battery components can cause severe respiratory injury
- Explosions may occur from fuel vapors, pressurized systems, or compromised battery packs
- Confined spaces like garages, parking decks, and workshops intensify heat and smoke
Cases We Handle
We investigate catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving:
- Fires in attached garages and residential garage spaces
- Fires in commercial garages, service bays, body shops, and fleet facilities
- Vehicle fires in parking garages, lots, and loading areas
- Electric vehicle (EV) fires, including after collisions, charging, or parking
- Hybrid vehicle fires and high-voltage system failures
- Lithium-ion battery fires from e-bikes, scooters, tools, power banks, and energy storage
- Fires involving chargers, adapters, extension cords, and charging stations
- Explosions and flash fires tied to fuel systems, vapors, or solvents
Common Causes and Contributing Factors
Not every vehicle fire is “just an accident.” Many trace back to identifiable failures such as:
Garage and Building Safety Failures
- Inadequate ventilation
- Lack of smoke/heat detection or suppression
- Improper storage of combustibles and chemicals
- Poor housekeeping that accelerates fire spread
Charging and Electrical Hazards
- Overheating during charging
- Non-compliant charging setups in garages
- Improperly installed outlets or circuits
- Use of damaged or incompatible charging equipment
Product Defects
- Battery cell defects, pack design issues, inadequate thermal management
- Defective chargers, cords, adapters, or power supplies
- Faulty wiring harnesses, connectors, relays, or fuses
- Fuel system defects (leaks, brittle lines, poor seals)
- Aftermarket parts that fail under heat or vibration
Maintenance, Repair, and Installation Negligence
- Improper repairs or modifications
- Poor workmanship in body shops or service centers
- Incorrect battery handling, storage, or charging practices
- Unsafe storage of flammables near ignition sources
Who May Be Liable
Residential and apartment fire cases rarely involve Vehicle, battery, and garage fire claims can involve multiple responsible parties, including:
- Vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers
- Battery manufacturers and designers
- Charger, cord, and adapter manufacturers
- Retailers and distributors
- Repair shops, dealerships, and fleet maintenance providers
- Property owners or managers (garage safety, electrical, code compliance)
- Electricians and contractors (installation and wiring defects)
We focus on identifying every party whose decisions, designs, or failures contributed to the fire and resulting harm.
Injuries and Losses in Vehicle and Battery Fire Cases
These fires frequently cause life-altering injuries, including:
- Severe burns, skin grafts, and disfigurement
- Smoke inhalation and long-term lung damage
- Traumatic brain injury from oxygen deprivation
- Orthopedic injuries from escape attempts or structural collapse
- Wrongful death
We work with medical and economic experts to document the full scope of harm; now and long-term.
Compensation We Pursue
Depending on the circumstances, claims may seek:
- Medical care, surgeries, rehab, and future treatment
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring/disfigurement and disability
- Long-term care, assistive devices, and home modifications
- Wrongful death damages for surviving families
What to Do After a Vehicle, Battery, or Garage Fire
If you can, protect your case by:
- Keeping the vehicle/battery/charger components – do not discard them
- Taking photos of the scene, burn patterns, and any devices involved
- Saving receipts, packaging, product manuals, and serial numbers
- Requesting copies of fire and incident reports
- Avoiding recorded statements or quick settlement offers without counsel
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