A car battery doesn't always explode just when beingjump-started or charged. There are cases where they suddenlyexplode due to the installed position, for example, or asa result of a crash, as has been alleged in the probe leading tothe Chevy Volt recall.

In any case, automotive battery explosions can cause severeinjury and can even be fatal, depending on where one isstanding during the explosion. These explosions present addedconsiderations for adjusters who are tasked not only withprocessing the resultant claims but also in identifyingsubrogation opportunities.

Let's first examine the anatomy of a typical automotive batterybefore delving into cases of catastrophic failure. As shown inFigure 1 below an automotive battery, typically oflead/acid construction, is an electrochemical container thatproduces voltage, which causes electrical current to flow tovarious components in an automotive vehicle. An outer polymer case(high density polypropylene) acts as a container for an electrolyte(sulfuric acid), six cells and lead plates. Each cell delivers 2.1volts, with a total voltage of 12.6 volts, at fullcharge. Vents are installed at the top of the battery to ventgasses formed during the normal charging cycles.