Are Electric Vehicle Fires Grounds for a Lawsuit? What Tesla and EV Drivers Should Know

Electric vehicles have changed what it feels like to drive, from instant torque to quiet cabins and fewer trips to the gas station.

They have also brought new questions about safety, mainly when headlines focus on Tesla or other EVs that catch fire after a crash or while charging. In reality, data suggests EVs catch fire less often than gas vehicles, but when a lithium-ion battery fails, the fire can be intense, stubborn, and devastating.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Tesla or electric vehicle fire, the fact that these incidents are statistically rare does not make your losses any less real or any less actionable under California law.

At State Law Firm, we help people in complex, high-stakes injury cases against powerful companies and insurers.

Our work spans everything from transportation injuries to vulnerable populations harmed by neglect. Explore our practical overview of Nursing home abuse attorneys so you can move forward with confidence and avoid costly mistakes. The same approach that protects nursing home residents also guides how we handle claims against auto manufacturers, dealers, and others when preventable dangers reach California families.

Understanding Electric Vehicle Fires: How Real Is the Risk?

News stories can make it feel as if EVs are constantly bursting into flames, but the numbers tell a more nuanced story. Studies comparing fires per 100,000 vehicles sold have found that gas vehicles and especially hybrids catch fire more frequently than fully electric vehicles. That said, the risk profile is different. EV fires are less common, but when a high-voltage lithium-ion battery fails, it can burn hotter, longer, and with a greater risk of reignition than a typical gasoline fire.

The reason lies in how lithium-ion batteries store and release energy. In many EVs, thousands of small cells are grouped into modules and packed into a large battery pack mounted in the floor or under the vehicle.

In a crash, improper repairs, defective cooling systems, or debris damage can trigger thermal runaway, in which one cell overheats and causes others to fail in a chain reaction. Battery packs can also be compromised by flooding, saltwater exposure, or internal manufacturing defects that make certain cells more likely to short-circuit.

For drivers and passengers, what matters is not the technical language but the real-world consequences. A thermal runaway event can cause sudden smoke, intense heat, toxic gases, and rapid flame spread.

Fires can reignite hours or even days later, which is why first responders and tow operators treat damaged EVs differently from conventional vehicles. When those failures trace back to poor design, defective components, or inadequate warnings, they are not simply accidents. They can be the basis for a product liability lawsuit.

Legal Liability When A Tesla Or EV Catches Fire

When a Tesla or other EV ignites and causes injury or death, multiple parties may share responsibility. Working with a lawyer who understands how these pieces fit together is essential because identifying the correct defendants can dramatically affect the value and viability of your claim.

Commonly responsible parties include:

• Vehicle manufacturers. Tesla and other automakers can be held liable under product liability law if a design, manufacturing, or warning defect makes the vehicle unreasonably dangerous. Examples include battery packs that lack sufficient crash protection, cooling systems that do not adequately control heat, software that fails to shut down a compromised pack, or door systems that become inoperable after a power loss and trap occupants in a burning vehicle.
• Battery and component suppliers. Many EV makers rely on third party companies to manufacture battery cells, battery modules, wiring harnesses, and power electronics. If a defective cell or component triggers the fire, the supplier can be named in the lawsuit alongside the automaker.
• Dealers, repair shops, and upfitters. Improper repairs, unauthorized modifications, or negligent installation of aftermarket equipment can increase the risk of fire. If a dealer or repair facility bypasses safety procedures or uses incorrect parts and a fire follows, they may share liability.
• Charging equipment makers and property owners. Some EV fires begin at home or public charging stations. Defective home chargers, poorly maintained public chargers, or hazardous electrical systems in garages or parking structures can all play a role. In those cases, a property owner, landlord, or electrical contractor may be part of the case.
• Other drivers or entities. In many Tesla and EV cases, the fire follows a crash caused by a speeding, distracted, or impaired driver. That driver and their insurance company are still responsible for causing the collision, even if the fire reveals separate defects in the EV’s design.

Tesla in particular has faced a growing number of lawsuits arising from post crash fires, alleged battery defects, and door or handle designs that make it difficult or impossible to escape once the electrical system fails. These cases often allege that Tesla knew or should have known about specific dangers and failed to redesign the vehicle or adequately warn drivers. The evolving history of these lawsuits matters because it shows that EV fire claims are not theoretical. Courts, regulators, and juries are already grappling with them.

When Does an EV Fire Become a Lawsuit?

Not every vehicle fire is grounds for a lawsuit. To have a viable civil claim, you must be able to connect the fire and your injuries to someone else’s wrongdoing. In EV fire cases, that usually means proving one or more of the following:

• Design defect. The design of the vehicle, battery pack, or related systems made it unreasonably dangerous when used in a foreseeable way. Examples include batteries that are too exposed in side impacts, inadequate thermal management, or doors that lack accessible manual releases when power is lost.
• Manufacturing defect. A particular vehicle or batch of batteries deviated from the intended design during the manufacturing process. A flaw in a single module or group of cells can lead to failure under normal use.
• Failure to warn. The manufacturer knew or should have known about specific risks but did not provide clear, adequate warnings or instructions. That can involve known risks of delayed fires after flooding, limitations on where a damaged EV should be stored, or hidden complexities in emergency escape procedures.
• Negligence. A person or company had a duty to act reasonably and failed to do so. This can include careless repairs, negligent charging station maintenance, or another driver whose reckless behavior triggered the crash that damaged the battery.

On top of fault, you must show that the fire caused actual harm. Common damages in EV fire cases include severe burns, smoke inhalation injuries, traumatic brain injuries from crashes, psychological trauma, medical bills, lost wages, long term care costs, and property damage such as a garage or home destroyed by fire. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the loss of their loved one’s companionship and guidance.

Because these cases often involve highly technical questions, experts are central to proving liability. Battery engineers, fire origin and cause specialists, human factors experts, and accident reconstructionists can help demonstrate how and why the fire started, whether a safer design was feasible, and how the defendants’ choices led directly to your injuries.

What To Do If Your Electric Vehicle Catches Fire

If your Tesla or other EV catches fire, your first priority is safety. Once you and your passengers are out of immediate danger, the steps you take can also protect your legal rights.

Consider the following:

• Follow emergency instructions and keep your distance. Move away from the vehicle and follow directions from first responders. EV fires can reignite and produce toxic gases even after visible flames die down.
• Seek medical care immediately. Even if your injuries seem minor, get evaluated by a medical professional. Smoke inhalation and internal injuries can worsen over time. Early documentation connects your symptoms to the incident.
• Preserve the vehicle and scene, if possible. Ask that the vehicle and any charging equipment be preserved rather than quickly salvaged or destroyed. Photographs or videos of the scene, the vehicle, and any visible defects can be invaluable later.
• Obtain reports and information. Request a copy of the fire department report, police report, and any incident numbers from first responders. Make a list of witnesses, including tow operators and neighbors.
• Notify your insurer, but be cautious. Prompt notice to your auto and homeowners insurers is usually required, but do not guess about the cause of the fire or agree to recorded statements without legal advice. Seemingly harmless comments can be used to minimize your claim.
• Consult an attorney experienced in complex injury and product cases. EV fire cases are different from routine fender benders. A lawyer who understands product liability, catastrophic injuries, and the technical side of EVs can coordinate investigators, work with experts, and ensure crucial evidence is preserved.

Taking these steps cannot undo what happened, but they can position you and your family to pursue full and fair compensation from those responsible.

Navigating Insurance and Legal Claims After an Electric Car Fire

After an EV fire, you may find yourself dealing with several overlapping insurance policies and legal theories at once. Comprehensive or collision coverage may apply to damage to the vehicle itself. Homeowners or renters insurance may come into play if your garage or residence was damaged. Med pay or personal injury protection may help with immediate medical expenses, while liability policies for other drivers, property owners, or businesses may become part of the larger claim.

At the same time, your attorney may pursue a separate product liability case against Tesla or another EV manufacturer, a battery supplier, or companies responsible for charging equipment or repairs. These claims often require detailed investigation into prior incidents, recalls, safety bulletins, and engineering changes. They may be filed individually or as part of a broader coordinated litigation if many drivers have been harmed by the same defect.

A key role of your lawyer is to manage this complexity for you. That includes:

• Identifying all available insurance policies and defendants.
• Coordinating expert inspections before evidence is altered or destroyed.
• Protecting you from pressure to accept quick, low settlements that do not account for long term needs.
• Building a compelling narrative that explains not only how the fire occurred but how it disrupted your life.

State Law Firm is a boutique personal injury firm run by young litigators who are not afraid to take on hard cases. We focus on treating every client as a person, not a file. If a Tesla or electric vehicle fire in California has left you facing medical bills, lost work, or the loss of a loved one, we can help you understand your options and chart a path forward.

Key Takeaways for Tesla and EV Drivers

Electric vehicle fires are uncommon, but the consequences for those involved can be severe. The fact that EVs may catch fire less often than gas vehicles does not excuse preventable design defects, dangerous components, or inadequate warnings. When an EV or Tesla fire is tied to those failures, it can absolutely be grounds for a lawsuit.

If you or your family has been harmed by a Tesla or other EV fire, you should not have to navigate the science, the insurance, and the legal system alone. Talk with a lawyer who understands both the technology and the human cost of these incidents. State Law Firm is here to listen, investigate, and advocate so you can focus on healing while we focus on holding the right parties accountable.