Florida is now home to the second-most electric vehicles per capita. There are over 58,000 electric cars on Florida’s roadways, which is great news for emissions. The question is, is this great news for vehicle safety?
Getting into an auto accident is always distressing, especially if the accident resulted in serious injuries and significant property damage. Now, Florida drivers are wondering if electric vehicles could lead to more serious or frequent car accidents.
RHINO Lawyers do more than just represent victims of Tampa car accidents. We also make it a priority to stay on top of the latest auto accident statistics and news.
Read on to learn more about the safety of electric vehicles and how they’re impacting accident rates.
Are Electric Vehicles Safer for Drivers and Passengers?
When talking about vehicle safety, there are a few different factors to consider. One of them, and the one that tends to occupy car manufacturers the most, is how safe a car is for the people inside it.
So far, it seems that electric vehicles are just as safe for their drivers and passengers, if not safer, than conventional cars. These kinds of safety tests are completed by simulating several different types of accidents to determine how the car holds up and how the people inside the car would fare. So far, these tests have not revealed any unusual or serious risks that we don’t see in conventional vehicle safety standards.
In other words, electric vehicles don’t pose an outsized risk to the people who own or ride in them. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re safer for everyone else.
Are Electric Vehicles Safer for Others on the Road?
Many of the people who are concerned about electric vehicle safety are not the people who are driving electric vehicles. If you were to be involved in an accident with an electric vehicle, could it cause more damage?
The research on electric vehicle safety for others on the road is still in the early stages. There are many factors to account for when analyzing electric vehicle safety data, including the fact that they are still far outnumbered by conventional vehicles and they’re not as frequently used for long-distance driving. That said, there are a few factors that indicate that electric vehicles may pose more of a risk to others on the road.
Fast Acceleration
What many drivers don’t realize when they get behind the wheel of an electric car is that these cars accelerate quickly, quietly, and without a lot of force. Hitting the gas with the same amount of force in an electric car is going to cause faster acceleration than it would in a conventional car.
Without extra care, electric vehicle drivers may find themselves driving too fast too quickly, and their quiet motors can leave nearby drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians unprepared. Not only does this mean that there’s less time to react to the circumstances, but it can also lead to a high-force crash, which can cause more property damage and serious injuries.
Heavy Machinery
While those lithium-ion batteries cut down on emissions, they add a lot of weight. Electric vehicles are significantly heavier than their conventional counterparts.
This increased weight may contribute to the safety of the people inside an electric car. It also contributes to the danger others will face if hit by an electric car. Like cars moving at high speeds, heavy cars will strike other objects with more force, which can cause far more damage.
Are Electric Vehicles Involved in More Accidents?
So far, most of the studies regarding electric vehicle accident rates are coming out of Europe. This is, in part, because electric vehicles made a bigger impact abroad, and make up a larger percentage of all vehicles than they do here in the states.
What are these European studies telling us? It appears that electric vehicles may be involved in more accidents than conventional vehicles. As you might suspect, this statistic is linked to fast acceleration speeds.
While electric vehicles may come with a learning curve, it is still a driver’s responsibility to operate their vehicle in a safe manner. Trends aside, causing an accident by accelerating quickly is still negligent behavior.
What Should You Do After an Electric Vehicle Auto Accident?
Why does it matter that negligence is still in play when an electric vehicle causes an accident? Negligence is the key factor in car accident claims.
If you were in an accident involving an electric vehicle, proceed as normal. Contact the police and document the accident. Exchange information with the driver and seek medical attention.
Once you are able, contact an auto accident lawyer. If the accident was caused by another driver and left you with serious injuries and financial damages, you may want to file a car accident claim. Car accident claims can help you to recover the money you’ve lost to medical bills, a reduced capacity to work, and more.
Can the defendant argue that it was their electric vehicle’s fault and not their own? Chances are, this argument won’t hold up in court. At the end of the day, all drivers are responsible for safe driving habits.
Injured in an Accident? RHINO Lawyers Can Help
Are electric vehicles safer in an auto accident? It depends on whether or not you’re in it. While research is still in the early stages, we have reason to believe that accidents involving electric vehicles may produce serious consequences.
If you were injured in an auto accident in Tampa, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll schedule your free case consultation so that you can tell us more about the circumstances of your accident. If we believe that you have a case, we’ll do everything we can to fight for your compensation.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
