If you look up what temperature coffee brews at, it is 197.6 – 204.8 F. What temperature was the McDonald's coffee brewed at? I get coffee midstream from my coffee pot and drink it immediately. Yes, it can be hot, but I haven't been injured. The elderly woman admitted that the spill was her fault according to the article that you linked. Why in the world would you try to hold a coffee cup BETWEEN YOUR KNEES to open it? As soon as he popped the cap, the cup would collapse causing the spill. Put it on the console, on the dash or on the floor. We can debate until the cows come home, but I have a bit of an issue with the whole thing.