Electric Car Deaths Are Rising: What Victims’ Families Need to Know

While electric vehicles carry the promise of sustainability, they also have risks. Electric cars are naturally quieter than gas-powered vehicles, which can make them more dangerous to pedestrians, and there is an elevated risk of electrical fires to drivers and passengers. 

If you’ve lost a loved one after an electric car accident, you have legal options, and a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney can help.

Why Electric Car Fatalities Are Increasing

While there are no accurate statistics for how many electric car deaths occur per year, there has been a rise in notable incidents. While a significant reason for rising e-car accidents is that there are simply more of them on the road, there are also several reasons these vehicles can be risky.

• High performance and speed: Many EVs can accelerate much faster than a gas-powered car. When drivers are not used to this, it can increase the risks of losing control of the vehicle when accelerating.
• Vehicle weight: The weight of EV batteries can make vehicles heavier, increasing the impact in a collision.
• Silent operation: As mentioned above, EVs are nearly silent, which can increase the risk for pedestrians and cyclists who may not hear the vehicle approaching.
• Battery fire risks: Electrical fires are often high intensity burns that are difficult to extinguish. These fires can increase the risk of serious injuries and fatalities when someone is trapped in the vehicle.

Who Can Be Held Liable in an Electric Car Death?

To successfully pursue a wrongful death claim or lawsuit, your lawyer must be able to prove that someone else was the cause of your loved one’s death. Potentially liable parties include:

• Negligent drivers: If a driver caused an accident due to speeding, distraction, inebriation, or violating traffic laws, then they could be held liable.
• Manufacturers: If the crash was due to defective battery design, safety system failures, or inadequate crash protection, then the manufacturer may be liable.
• Government entities: Poor road design or a lack of EV-specific safety infrastructure can lead to crashes.
• Third parties: In some cases, negligent maintenance companies or charging station operators may have contributed to the accident.

Your Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer will investigate to determine all liable parties. In Florida, a wrongful death claim or lawsuit can be brought against every negligent party so that you can seek the maximum compensation for your tragic loss.

Proving Fault in EV Wrongful Death Cases

To prove fault, your lawyer may:

• Gather evidence, such as footage of the accident, witness statements, black box data, telematics, and the police report
• Conduct accident reconstruction with EV-specific considerations
• Consult experts on battery safety and vehicle design
• Review any recalls or safety bulletins that were issued for the vehicle or its parts

Recoverable Compensation for Victims’ Families

Under Florida’s wrongful death statutes, loved ones may be able to recover compensation for losses after an e-vehicle accident, such as:

• Medical expenses related to the accident
• The victim’s physical pain and suffering
• Loss of emotional support and guidance for the children of the victim
• Loss of companionship for the spouses of the victim
• Funeral costs
• Cremation or burial costs
• The lost wages and financial support of the victim

While there is no amount of money that can truly account for your loss, your personal injury attorney will fight for fair compensation so that you can focus on your family. Please note that under Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Failing to do so may bar you from financial recovery.

Steps for Families After an Electric Car Fatality

After the loss of a loved one in an electric vehicle accident, there are a few key steps that can help protect your right to recover compensation. These steps are:

• Obtain the official police report from the accident
• Obtain autopsy records
• Preserve the vehicle
• Preserve any accident evidence you have, such as contact info for witnesses or photos taken at the accident scene
• Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters or anyone involved without your attorney present
• Do not sign anything without consulting your lawyer first
• Contact an attorney experienced in EV-related cases

Contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato Today 

The loss of a loved one is one of the most painful events a family can endure. While the promise of EVs is a better environmental future, their risks are unfortunately still prevalent. 

In the aftermath of a loss, it’s important to seek emotional support and mental healthcare. You can also reach out to one of our electric car accident lawyers to hold negligent parties accountable through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.

At the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, we are here to help you throughout the entire legal process. Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay us if we recover compensation for you.

Contact us today for a free consultation at (844) 643-7200.