Electric Vehicle Safety and Potential Injuries

Electric Vehicle Safety and Potential Injuries

Electric vehicles are changing the face of motoring in New York City. Despite its reputation as one of the best cities in the country for walking and public transportation, 83 percent of transportation emissions in NYC still come from private vehicles. The City has so far transitioned about 67 percent of its fleet to alternative fuels and is installing more public charging stations to help NYC residents make the transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

While these statistics show the progress New York City is making toward a greener future, electric vehicles also pose safety risks. They weigh far more than gasoline vehicles, run quieter, and present different risks when involved in serious accidents.

This article will examine how safe electric vehicles are and some issues that may be of concern. We will also explore the potential injuries they can cause and what you should do if you are involved in an electric vehicle accident.

Electrical Vehicle Safety Advantages

Before discussing the dangers of electric vehicles, it is important to acknowledge that these are required to meet the same safety standards and to undergo testing – just like conventional cars before they can hit the road.

Electrical vehicles also often have additional safety features that may not be present in traditional vehicles. For example, many electric models now include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and features to shut off power if a collision or short circuit is detected.

In addition, electrical vehicles may have a lower center of gravity due to the central positioning of the battery packs. This can improve their stability and make them less likely to roll over in the event of a crash.

Many electric vehicles have earned key safety awards. In 2024, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded 3 electric makes its highest honor, the Top Safety Pick+ award. Its rigorous testing assesses vehicles’ safety performance in frontal and side-impact crash tests.

Potential Dangers in Electric Vehicles

Although electric cars are generally as safe as – if not safer than – regular vehicles, they do pose some unique challenges.

Fires

The good news is that although electric vehicles have been involved in recalls due to fire risks, a study has shown they are less likely to catch fire than hybrid or regular gas-powered vehicles.

Analysis of data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) showed electric vehicles were involved in just 25 fires per 100,000 vehicles. By contrast, gas-powered cars were involved in about 1,530, while hybrid cars had 3,475 fires per 100,000 vehicles.

That said, the NTSB has highlighted a group of people who are particularly at risk from lithium-ion battery fires – first responders. The potential dangers include:

• Electric shock from exposed high-voltage components
• Uncontrolled temperature and pressure increases that can cause thermal runaway, leading to fires
• Residual energy in the damaged battery, which can cause it to reignite

If you are involved in an electric vehicle collision, first turn the vehicle off – safely. Avoid touching the high-voltage batteries, cables, and other components; many manufacturers use bright orange cables to make these easier to spot.

Let first responders know that this is an electric vehicle. This can help them to keep both you and themselves safe as they assist you.

Acceleration risks

Typically, electric cars have lower top speeds than regular cars. However, they can reach top speed much more quickly. A recent study by Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) found that the acceleration risks posed by electric vehicles are 180 percent to 340 percent higher than with traditional vehicles.

More rapid acceleration may reduce the time electric car drivers have to react to hazards, including pedestrians, cyclists, and other road vehicles. Drivers who are unfamiliar with driving electric cars may not realize this crucial difference, causing them to accelerate too aggressively. The injuries caused by being struck by a fast-moving, heavy vehicle could be devastating.

Harder to exit in an emergency

Being in a car crash is bad enough, but being stuck in the vehicle and struggling to get out afterward is the stuff of nightmares. If the electric motors on the doors of your electric car shut down after an accident, you will need to use the emergency release functions to get out.

On some Teslas, the emergency release function is known to be tricky to find. For example, to open the Falcon wing doors on a Tesla Model X, you need to remove the speaker grill on the door and then pull the release cable down and towards the front of the car. Try doing that after sustaining a serious injury! Even worse, the rear doors on a Model 3 have no emergency release function.

Silent operation

A benefit of electric cars over conventional vehicles is the low level of noise pollution they generate. However, their almost silent operation can pose a danger to pedestrians, who can’t rely on hearing an electric vehicle coming before making a decision to step out into the road.

Both electric car drivers and pedestrians need to be extremely vigilant to prevent accidents, even at low speeds where wind resistance and tires create less noise. Congress now requires electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturers to add sounds to electric and hybrid vehicles when traveling at speeds of up to 18.6 miles per hour to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and blind people.

Heavier vehicles

Electric vehicles are significantly heavier than their conventional equivalents. For example, GMC’s Hummer EV weighs about 3,000 pounds more than the equivalent full-size pickup. Its full battery pack alone weighs nearly as much as a regular Toyota Corolla sedan. Meanwhile, Ford’s F-150 Lightning pickup is over 2,000 pounds heavier than the gas-powered model.

The laws of physics dictate that when two objects collide, the heavier of the two will do more damage to the other. As the electric vehicle may often be the heavier vehicle, the impact on other vehicles and pedestrians can be catastrophic.

Potential Injuries From Electric Vehicle Crashes

Electric vehicles can cause the same range of injuries as conventional vehicles, but there are a few added risks worth noting. Common auto accident injuries include:

•  Whiplash

•  Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

•  Broken bones

•  Cuts and bruises

•  Burns

If the battery packs in an electric vehicle catch fire, the results could be catastrophic. Burn injuries can be particularly serious, leading to the following complications:

•  Dehydration

•  Infections, including sepsis

•  Respiratory problems from inhaling smoke and chemical fumes

Burn injuries can have a long-term, even permanent, impact on your health and your ability to work. If you have been affected by burn injuries after an electric vehicle crash, it is essential to seek medical treatment and find out your rights to compensation. You may be able to pursue a settlement that could help you pay for your medical and living expenses resulting from your burn injuries.

What to Do After an Electric Vehicle Crash

Your first priority should be to seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine, always get yourself checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries do not cause pain immediately but can have severe consequences down the line.

If you are able to do so safely, try to collect the following information at the scene of the collision:

•  Name and contact details of other drivers or pedestrians involved

•  Make, model, and license plate numbers of the vehicles involved

•  Details of eyewitnesses

•  Photographs of the scene

Call the police and cooperate with them at the scene. Then, as soon as possible, talk to an experienced New York City vehicle accident attorney; do this even before you talk to the insurance company. Your attorney will be able to advise you on your legal rights and help you avoid potential pitfalls.

Let Hill & Moin LLP Fight for Your Rights

Electric vehicles may be the future, but if you have been injured by one, we understand that you need justice right now. The vehicle accident lawyers at Hill & Moin have over 50 years of experience in successfully fighting car accident cases and winning settlements that have changed our clients’ lives.

At your free case evaluation, one or more of Hill & Moin’s lawyers will carefully review your case and explain your legal options. If we take on your case, we will look closely at the impact of your injuries and how they may affect you in the future so we can pursue fair compensation on your behalf. We want you to feel like we are the lawyers in your family, fighting for justice so you can rebuild your life.

Are you ready to learn about our Personal Injury Recovery SolutionsⓇ? Schedule a free case evaluation with a compassionate vehicle accident lawyer by calling (212) 668-6000 or filling out our online form today.

Don’t wonder about your rights!