If you are in the market for a new BMW or have recently purchased one, you are probably drawn to the notion of the car being “the ultimate driving machine.” Indeed, BMW’s performance has wowed driving enthusiasts for decades. The technological advances have further increased their popularity. However, a recent rash of random fires has created a mystery that concerns engineers and safety advocates alike.
According to an ABCNews.com report, random BMWs have spontaneously caught fire, destroying the vehicles. The fires have occurred in vehicles parked in garages at home, as well as in parking lots. One car reportedly caught fire after being parked for several days. The fires have challenged investigators because the engines were not running.
Some engineers believe that some of the technological advances could be the cause. Essentially, cars may not be completely powered down even though the engine is not running, as the vehicle continues to collect data for diagnostic purposes, or a certain amount of power is stored in preparation for remote starts. Theoretically, if a power surge occurs, the combustible materials around the power source could cause a fire.
In the meantime, BMW has not issued a recall and is reportedly collecting information about the fires. This ostensibly is because an automaker maintains a legal duty to keep consumers safe from dangerous defects. If an automaker fails to adhere to this duty and a consumer is injured, the automaker could be held liable.
If you have questions about your rights and options after being injured by a defective vehicle, an experienced personal injury attorney can advise you.
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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