In an accident, are electric vehicles dangerous?
Electric cars far outweigh gas-powered cars. This disparity can lead to catastrophic injuries when these two cars collide and cause serious vehicle damage and destruction and lead to fire hazards.
Another factor that could make electric cars dangerous in an accident is the battery’s ability to explode when wet or damaged. Explosions and fires involving electric cars can be more challenging to put out, which may result in additional injuries. It can be difficult to document the cause of this type of crash, too. If you or a loved one was injured in an electric car accident, a car accident lawyer in your area can handle it for you.
What Are Electric Cars and How Many Are on the Road?
As the name suggests, an electric vehicle is powered by electricity rather than gas. To date, there are three types of electric cars available:
- All-electric vehicles use no gas at all and instead rely fully on lithium-ion batteries for power.
- Plug-in or hybrid electric vehicles are dual function, meaning the driver can choose to use gas or electricity.
- Fuel cell electric vehicles are also fully electrical, but their power comes from stacked cells that combine hydrogen gas and oxygen rather than lithium-ion batteries.
If you or a loved one was an occupant of an electric vehicle or were the occupant of a car that was struck by one, you could recover monetary damages. The car accident lawyer who accepts your case will help you determine who to pursue for financial compensation.
Recent Electric Car Accident Statistics
Electric cars are extremely heavy. When compared to their gas-powered counterparts, an electric SUV can weigh up to 9,000 pounds, whereas a gas-powered SUV weighs about 6,000 pounds, according to Reuters research. Similarly, an electric pickup truck can outweigh a gas model by as much as 3,000 pounds.
The following electric car accident statistics address their size and potential fire risk:
- According to the White House, there are currently more than 3 million electric cars on the road across the U.S.
- Electric vehicles typically sustain up to 50% more damage in an accident than gas cars.
- Fully electric vehicles have a 0.03% chance of igniting in an accident.
- Hybrid electric/gas vehicles have a 3.14% chance of igniting in an accident.
- New and inexperienced electric vehicle owners have a higher probability of being involved in an accident.
Since 2010, there have been 200 electric vehicles in incidents resulting in fires. Those involved in these accidents
Why You Might Want to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Electric Car Accident
A personal injury The weight of an electric car and its battery pack can be dangerous in an accident, espeically when involved with lighter, traditional gas-powered cars.attorney can help you build a strong case and recover damages after a crash with an electric car. While you focus on your physical and emotional recovery, your fort lauderdale car accident lawyer will:
- File your insurance claim or lawsuit on time
- Compile supporting evidence and documents
- Consult electric vehicle experts
- Request accident reconstruction reports
- Locate and interview accident witnesses
- Handle all case-related communication
- Negotiate a fair and appropriate settlement
Your case is not likely to go to court. If it does, though, you can depend on your attorney to keep fighting for the compensation you are entitled to recover.
Types of Compensation Your Lawyer Can Demand on Your Behalf
An accident involving an electric car can leave you with serious injuries and burns. The at-fault driver can be held responsible for your resulting medical expenses, such as hospital, rehab, and medication costs.
In addition to healthcare bills, your Miami car accident lawyer can seek compensation for the following economic damages:
- Current loss of income
- Future lost earnings
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Property loss
- Diminished property value
Non-economic damages your west palm beach car accident lawyer can go after include lasting disability, disfiguring injuries, ongoing pain and suffering, mental and emotional trauma, and diminished quality of life. If applicable, your family can also recover wrongful death damages, such as funeral and burial costs, final medical bills, and lost financial support.
Your electric car accident case has a filing deadline that can be challenging to understand and meet. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, it’s typically two years. Missing this filing deadline, also called the statute of limitations, could put your right to recover damages at risk. Your attorney will further explain the statute of limitations, the factors that could make it fluctuate, and the steps they take toward compliance.
Get Your Free Electric Car Accident Review Now
Electric cars can be dangerous in an accident, leading to fires, explosions, and catastrophic impact, due to their weight. If you or a loved one was injured in an electric car accident, you could be entitled to seek financial recovery.
Learn more about your compensation options when you call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today. We offer free, no-obligation consultations. So contact us at (954) 633-8270 to start a free case review.
