⚠️ NHTSA has issued millions of EV recalls for fire risk—creating strong liability evidence for victims.
EV Fire Settlement Amounts: What to Expect
Electric vehicle fire settlements tend to be substantial due to the severity of burn injuries, clear product defect evidence from NHTSA recalls, and manufacturers' desire to avoid negative publicity. Understanding settlement factors helps set realistic expectations.
Why EV Fire Settlements Are Substantial
- Burn injuries cause permanent disfigurement
- Medical costs for grafts/reconstruction are enormous
- Recalls prove manufacturers knew of defects
- Thermal runaway is foreseeable and preventable
- Negative publicity motivates settlement
Settlement Ranges by Injury
- First-degree burns (no grafts): $50,000-$150,000
- Second-degree burns: $150,000-$400,000
- Third-degree burns requiring grafts: $400,000-$1.5M
- Extensive disfigurement: $1.5M-$5M
- Catastrophic burns: $5M-$10M+
- Wrongful death: $3M-$15M+
Factors Increasing Settlement Value
Higher settlements result from: NHTSA recalls documenting the specific defect, prior incidents involving same failure mode, young victims with lifetime disfigurement, door entrapment preventing escape, and manufacturer knowledge of risks.
Damages Categories
- Economic: Medical bills, lost wages, future care costs
- Non-economic: Pain, suffering, disfigurement, PTSD
- Punitive: Available if manufacturer knew of defects
GM Bolt Fire Claims
The GM Bolt recall of 143,000 vehicles for battery fire risk has generated significant litigation. GM offered buybacks and repairs, but victims injured before the recall have strong claims.
Settlement Timeline
EV fire cases typically take 18-36 months due to: complex product liability discovery, expert analysis of battery and thermal runaway, manufacturer defense resources, and multi-party negotiations.
✅ Want to know what your EV fire case is worth? Call (773) 839-6086 for a free evaluation.