Are EVs More Accident-Safe Than Gas Vehicles?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that electric vehicles (EVs) are just as safe as gas cars in an accident. That’s because, before a car hits the market, it must meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This requires a car to undergo rigorous testing before it reaches the market.
Also, EVs come with safety features that shut down the electrical system upon impact. This prevents the car’s battery from igniting and causing a fire. Were you in an accident involving an EV? Our car accident lawyer can explain your financial recovery options. Call (954) 633-8270 to begin a free case review with our team.
EVs Are Just as Safe as Gas Cars
The U.S. Department of Energy notes that EV batteries are encased in sealed shells. Before becoming available to the public, researchers subject the batteries to:
- Overcharging
- Intense vibrations
- Extreme temperatures (both hot and cold)
- Fires
- Humidity
- Water immersion
- Collisions
- Short-circuiting
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) noted that Audi e-Trons, Tesla Model 3s, and Audi e-Tron Sportbacks qualified for the Top Safety Pick+ award. This means the IIHS found that these cars make the world more environmentally friendly without risking road users’ safety.
EVs Come With Designs Intended To Promote Safety
CNET notes that EVs generally have a lower center of gravity when compared to standard gas-reliant cars. This makes EVs less likely to roll over in a crash. Rollover accidents can have serious consequences––including death.
EVs could also be safer than many gas-powered cars because they have sturdier “upfront construction.” That’s because, unlike gas-powered cars, EVs don’t have their engines in the front. They transfer energy from back to front. This could also minimize occupants’ injuries when an accident happens.
Still, EVs Come With Some Risks
There’s no such thing as a product that’s 100 percent safe. Even the most well-engineered cars pose the risk of serious collisions––and that goes for EVs. While EVs are just as safe as gas-powered cars, some considerations include:
- It takes a long time to extinguish an EV fire. Per CNBC, fires from lithium-ion batteries burn hotter and start faster than typical fires. They also require thousands of gallons of water to extinguish, sometimes taking hours to put out.
- EVs generally weigh more than gas-powered cars. National Public Radio (NPR) notes that the batteries in EVs alone can weigh thousands of pounds, like the ones in the new GMC electric Hummer. This can cause serious injuries in a collision upon impact.
Negligence Is the Leading Cause of All Traffic Accidents
Driver error is a common cause of all traffic accidents––including those involving EVs.
Examples of driver negligence include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting behind the wheel
- Tailgating
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Inexperience
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or fatigue
- Speeding
- Failing to yield
Other causes of traffic accidents include inclement weather conditions, poor roadway maintenance, and vehicular malfunction.
Your Options if You Were in a Collision With an EV
If you were in a collision with an EV, you can file a claim or lawsuit to recover damages. Yet, your options depend on your situation, including whether:
- Another party’s negligence caused your collision. If another party’s negligence caused your accident, you could file a no-fault claim with your own insurer. You could also file a third-party claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver.
- The EV caused your collision. EVs, like gas-powered cars, can have defects. These defects can increase the risk of accidents and cause life-threatening injuries. In this situation, you could pursue damages through a product liability claim.
A Florida car accident lawyer from our firm can determine your accident’s cause and chart a course of legal action.
You Can Recover Compensation for Your Injury-Related Expenses
Financial recovery after a car accident could include:
- Medical bills, including anticipated healthcare costs
- Lost job-related revenue, including tips, bonuses, wages, and benefits
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Wrongful death-related expenses, including funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
Depending on your accident’s details, you could file a claim with your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to recover damages. You could also file a lawsuit to recover your accident-related expenses.
You Could Partner With an EV Accident Lawyer
Pursuing compensation after any accident can get complicated. That’s why you should consider entrusting your case to our injury team. A Miami car accident lawyer from our firm aims to resolve your case by reaching an appropriate settlement.
Begin Your Free Case Review With the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato Today
Although EVs are just as safe as gas-powered cars, they still have risks. If you or a loved one was in an accident involving one of these vehicles, you have legal options with the help of a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer from our firm. We can identify the negligent party, evaluate your losses, and manage the claims process.
To contact with a team member, dial (954) 633-8270.
