Fully electric vehicles continue to flood into Houston, with many drivers taking advantage of tax credits to lower the cost of buying a new set of wheels. To some, EVs are a breakthrough and the future of transportation. As Houston car accident lawyers, however, we are more worried about the risks these cars pose to others on the road. Any crash with an electric vehicle could potentially cause life-threatening injuries and be enormously expensive. The Stano Law Firm explains more below.
EVs are Heavy—Really Heavy
Electric vehicles are much heavier than those powered by an internal combustion engine—up to 50% heavier. For example, the 2023 GMC Hummer EV weighs more than 9,000 pounds. A comparable 2023 GMC Sierra weighs only 6,000 pounds.
The reason? The heavy battery which powers the vehicle. If these cars had a smaller battery, they would certainly be lighter—but the vehicle might only be able to travel 50 miles after being fully charged.
To extend the range—and reduce the number of times the car needs to be charged—manufacturers have included a larger, heavy battery. This is a definite trade-off: more range for more weight.
The heavier a vehicle, the more damage it can cause in a crash. You could suffer life-altering injuries if struck by an EV. Instead of a broken leg, you could suffer a shattered pelvis, for example. Or a major traumatic brain injury.
Your risk of a fatality increases about 47% for every 1,000 pounds added to a vehicle. So a vehicle that is several thousand pounds heavier is much more likely to result in fatal or at least catastrophic injuries.
The Battery Could Catch on Fire—And Be Hard to Put Out
EVs use a lithium battery which is notoriously difficult to extinguish if it catches on fire. Some EVs have required more than 3,000 gallons of water to fully extinguish, and the fire can burn for up to 24 hours. This type of fire can also ignite other vehicles near it or even burn down a nearby building.
Any fire is potentially devastating for motorists involved in a crash. Imagine just barely getting out of your vehicle while badly hurt. You could collapse to the ground. Because you are so close to the EV, you could suffer second- or third-degree burns from the heat. An EV with a raging fire is also likely to completely total your vehicle.
EV Owners Could Take More Risk Behind the Wheel
This claim is controversial. One study out of Ireland found that EV drivers are more likely to get into accidents where they are at fault than motorists in other vehicles. The increase was small—about 4%. Researchers did not speculate on the reason for the increase in accidents for electric vehicles.
One reason might be that drivers are unfamiliar with how to handle an EV, so they are more prone to mistakes while behind the wheel. These vehicles tend to have more power, which a driver isn’t expecting.
Injured by an Electric Vehicle?
The Houston car accident lawyers at The Stano Law Firm can help anyone injured in a car crash. We are well-positioned to negotiate a settlement for someone struck by an electric vehicle.
Although EV technology is new, accidents will still turn on traditional legal principles like fault. If the EV driver made some mistake behind the wheel, we can seek to hold them accountable for colliding with you. Some drivers are merely careless, which is enough to establish liability.
We also need to fully analyze your injuries, including pain and suffering. A settlement should cover economic and non-economic damages, and major injuries deserve more compensation to make up for turning your life upside down.
Another consideration is your own negligence. Maybe you were on the phone or speeding when an EV crashed into you. That would make you partially to blame for a crash. Under Texas law, your negligence can reduce the compensation you receive—and sometimes even prohibit you from suing.
Call Our Houston Auto Accident Lawyers Today
The Stano Law Firm knows how to negotiate settlements for accident victims. If you were struck by an EV or any other vehicle, please call us. We have years of experience negotiating with the state’s largest car insurers, and we know the tricks they use to avoid paying fair compensation. If hired, we bring professionalism and unmatched legal skills to the negotiation process, and we aren’t afraid to sue in court, either. Contact us by calling 832-777-0390 to schedule a free consultation.