What Are the Hidden Dangers of Electric Vehicle Accidents?

Although there are no statistics that show that car accidents involving electric vehicles have a higher rate of serious injuries and fatalities, there are unique characteristics of these accidents that can make them a particular risk. Electric cars run on a different infrastructure than passenger vehicles, resulting in their own particular dangers. Whether it is the battery itself or the weight of the car, there is a chance that an accident involving a vehicle can lead to more serious injuries. Here are some of the hidden dangers of crashes involving electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Accidents May Involve More Force

The battery packs in electric vehicles add a considerable amount of weight. On average, an electric vehicle tends to be 10-30% heavier than a passenger car as a result of the battery pack.

The additional weight can make a crash far more severe. The weight of a vehicle is a prominent factor in the amount of force that is unleashed in an accident. Crashes that involve more force tend to result in injuries that are more serious. This holds true for both the occupants of the electric vehicle and the other car that was involved in the accident.

The Risks of Fires and Toxic Substance Exposure

Obviously, electric vehicles run on a different mechanical infrastructure than gasoline-powered cars. The latter runs the risk of bursting into flames because of the presence of gasoline that could be leaking after a crash. Electric vehicles come with their own set of risks. The fact that these cars run on electricity means that exposed wiring could make the vehicle hazardous and a risk for a severe electrical shock.

Lithium-ion batteries may be even more of a fire risk than what may be posed by a gasoline vehicle. In an accident involving the latter, a fire will burn for as long as there is flammable gasoline. Fires involving lithium-ion batteries may burn hotter and longer than those in gasoline vehicles. In addition, the battery may even reignite and catch fire again in the days after the accident because of damage to the battery pack.

In general, the impact from a car accident could damage the vehicle’s battery to the point at which there is a delayed fire risk. An electric vehicle needs to be monitored closely in the days after the accident because of the damage that may have occurred in the crash. It is entirely possible that the battery could ignite after the crash because of the harm that was done.

The electric vehicle battery may also emit toxic substances at the time of the crash and in the days afterward. If the occupant of the vehicle is trapped inside after the crash, they may be exposed to these toxic substances and become sickened. These crashes also pose harm to first responders who may inhale these substances.

You May Not Know How Badly Your Car Was Damaged

Electric vehicles run far more quietly than those that are powered by gasoline. With the latter, it may be far easier to know that your car has been damaged. When you are driving a car with an engine that does not make much noise, it can be difficult to know the extent of the damage to the battery and the car. You may end up driving a vehicle that is malfunctioning, and you may not even know it until your car fails or catches fire when it is on the road.

Washington, D.C., Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King Will Protect Your Rights

If you have been injured in a crash involving an electric vehicle, whether it was your car or that of the other driver, speak to the Washington, D.C., car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King.  Our experienced legal team will investigate your case and fight to protect your rights. Call us at 888-740-KING (5464) or complete our online form today for a free consultation. We have offices in Washington, D.C., National Harbor, MD, Falls Church, VA, and Durham, NC, and we serve clients in the surrounding areas.