Gas tanks have had a track record of redesign and altered placement location since the mid 1900’s. This is because of the high number of car and truck accidents or faulty fuel lines that have resulted in gas tank explosion over time. In 2003, Clarence Diltlow, Executive Director the Center for Auto Safety, submitted testimony to the New York State Senate Committee to bring additional attention to the unnecessary risk of severe burn and burn related death from gas tank explosion. The following points were driven home.

·   The engineering required to enable survival from an 80 mph rear impact accident is more difficult than the engineering required to prevent a fire in an 80 mph rear impact accident. Yet some car and truck manufacturers omitted engineering that would otherwise prevent gas tank explosions and death.

·   Many high speed crashes would have been survivable if the gas tank did not explode.

·   Ford’s 1992‑97 Crown Victoria has a fatal burn related crash rate of close to 5 times greater than comparable 1985‑96 Chevrolet Impalas and Caprices.

Ford Pintos of the 1970’s have also been linked to gas tank explosion. Explosions that become unavoidable are often related to the location of the gas tank. Gas tanks that are mounted between the rear axle and bumper create a grave risk. General Motors settled nearly 300 legal cases involving pick up truck passenger burns and burn related deaths because of design defect. The settlements totaled over $495 million dollars. Since 2003, the number of complaints of injury or death from gas tank explosions has continued to grow. People who have suffered because of a gas tank explosion incident should contact a personal injury attorney to learn more about legal rights for a lawsuit against the car manufacturer.