Houston Electric Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Everything You Need Know About the Risks of Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles, or EVs, are becoming more and more popular every day. With the promise of being environmentally friendly and cheaper to operate, it’s no wonder that people are making the switch from gas-powered cars.
If you’re injured in an electric vehicle accident, it is good to know that our knowledgeable EV accident attorneys can help you get compensated for your losses. Find out how we can help you.
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Legal Help for Electric Vehicle Injuries
Electric vehicles are still a relatively new technology, and while there are not yet many laws in place specifically governing accidents involving EVs, it’s important to get counsel from our vehicle accident lawyer to guide you through the maze and help ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible.
In addition to physical injuries, you may also be able to recover compensation for monetary losses suffered in the accident. This includes things like lost wages, medical bills, and transportation costs.
Scheduling an appointment with one of our electric vehicle injury lawyers is easy. Contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law by calling 713-973-8888 or using our online form.
Our team works for our clients to get the highest compensation possible for their suffering.
Why Are Electric Cars Dangerous?
Electric Vehicles Can Be Dangerous and Cause Injuries
As people search for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and eliminate their dependency on oil, electric vehicles may seem a smart choice, but how safe are electric cars?
There are some risks associated with electric vehicles that you should be aware of before you dream of being able to drive in the carpool lane by yourself.
The following are examples of how electric vehicles can be dangerous:
- Non-motorists such as pedestrians and bicyclists can easily be injured by electric vehicles.
- Electric vehicles can be a fire hazard.
- The batteries in electric vehicles can release harmful toxins into the environment.
- Electric vehicles can be susceptible to theft due to the high cost of their batteries.
- There is an inherent risk of electrocution by first responders after an EV crash.
Attorneys in Houston for Accidents Caused by Electric Cars
Legal Representation Is Just a Phone Call Away
With the rise of electric vehicle ownership comes an increased risk of accidents. The concern over accidents caused by EVs is so great that Congress passed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act in 2010 to establish and study safety standards for electric and hybrid vehicles – and with good reason, since the crash rate with bicyclists and pedestrians is significantly higher compared to gas-powered vehicles.
A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that the rate of accidents involving pedestrians and hybrid electric vehicles increased by 40% since these types of cars have been on the road.
As of March 2022, there have been 240 deaths involving Tesla cars. Twelve of these fatalities occurred while the car was on autopilot.
Based on this track record, the risks of electric vehicles are clear. That’s why our skilled team is your greatest asset if you’ve been in an accident. We understand the ways in which EV technology can affect a personal injury case. Find out why so many clients turn to our team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law. Call us today at 713-973-8888 or toll-free 1-800-444-5000.
Electric Vehicles and Risks to Pedestrians in Houston
Electric vehicles pose a risk to pedestrians for a variety of reasons. One of the main dangers of electric vehicles is their quietness. Electric cars are virtually silent when being driven, which can create a dangerous situation for pedestrians in Houston who may not hear the car coming.
This is especially important for visually impaired pedestrians who rely on the sound of an approaching vehicle for their safety. One of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act laws requires all hybrids and EVs traveling under 18.6 mph to generate a vehicle-in-motion noise to alert pedestrians that an electric vehicle is near them.
If you’ve been hit by an electric vehicle, seeking the counsel of an attorney for an electric vehicle accident who has experience in fighting for pedestrian rights is so important.
Electric cars and motorcycles are almost too quiet to notice, and insurance companies may try to blame you for not paying attention.
That’s why your personal injury lawyer must have the experience needed to represent you in an electric vehicle accident lawsuit.
Injuries to pedestrians from electric vehicles on Houston’s busy streets can be life-changing. Victims of EV accidents may feel confused about who is at fault. Call our EV injury attorneys today at 713-973-8888 or 1-800-444-5000 to get help with your legal rights.
How Our Electric Vehicle Accident Lawyer Can Help You with Compensation
Learn What Our Team Can do to Help You after an EV Accident
Due to the uniqueness of electric vehicles, our electric vehicle lawyer can help you with compensation in a number of ways. For example, our EV attorney can help you recover property damage caused by an electric vehicle, or help you obtain compensation from the manufacturer if your electric vehicle has a defect that causes it to malfunction and causes you injuries.
If you’ve been hit by an electric vehicle, our EV injury attorney can help you recover damages sustained in an accident. Under Texas Law, victims of EV accidents can be compensated for present and future losses such as:
- Medical bills including hospital bills, ambulance bills, or therapy expenses
- Loss of income such as loss of wages or earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering and mental or emotional pain
- Physical impairment, loss of companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Autonomous Driving Accident Attorneys in Houston
Self-Driving Electric Vehicles Pose a Greater Danger than Gas Powered Ones
Since electric vehicles do not make engine noises, drivers of self-driving electric vehicles should be extra vigilant while being behind the wheel on autopilot. However, that seems to defeat the whole purpose of allowing a car to drive itself.
For the safety of others, drivers of EVs should be aware of the silent nature of their electric cars and take extra precautions when approaching an intersection or turning. The driver of any vehicle, autonomous or otherwise, owes a duty of care to always yield to pedestrians, especially if they are crossing the street at a crosswalk. The takeaway is that even though an electric vehicle may have the ability to be self-driving, an operator of an EV still needs to be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to take evasive action if necessary.
Self-driving cars pose other risks as well. One example is the State of Arizona banning the testing of driverless cars in the aftermath of an autonomous Uber accident that killed a pedestrian. The reason for the unfortunate crash was the car’s failure to sense the pedestrian crossing the street and, consequently, not engaging the brakes. Due to the number of self-driving crashes in Germany, a law was passed to ban the advertising of the autopilot function in electric vehicles.
Our attorneys handle electric car accident claims for victims seriously injured by an EV. We understand how the limitations of advanced technology mean that EVs sometimes pose a real danger to drivers and passengers, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists.
If you were injured in an accident caused by an EV, call our Houston electric vehicle accident lawyer today at 713-973-8888.
Electric Vehicle Recalls
When EV Companies Know the Dangers of Injuries are Higher
Tesla recently announced a recall for 11,704 vehicles over an issue with the forward-collision warning system (FCW). The problem results in false automatic emergency braking (AEB) events, which can increase the risk of a collision.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was notified of the problem in October 2021, and Tesla began investigating the issue. The company has now determined that the forward-collision warning system may falsely activate the automatic emergency braking event when there is no risk of a collision.
In February 2022, Tesla recalled 54,000 vehicles because cars using the full self-driving feature were not stopping for stop signs. It seems that Tesla had designed its software to purposely break the law by rolling through stops signs at over 5 mph. Tesla has since disabled this feature.
Are Electric Vehicles More Likely to Catch Fire?
Our Houston Injury Lawyers Can Help with Burns from Electric Vehicles
Another risk associated with electric vehicles is the possibility of fire. This can happen if something goes wrong with the car’s charging system or with the battery itself. State Farm recently sued Tesla for $1.2 million when a Tesla’s electrical system failed while charging and started a fire that burned down a home.
If an electric vehicle crashes and catches fire, the chances of survival are diminished because a battery fire can be especially dangerous, and burns from batteries or battery fires can cause severe disfigurement and emotional suffering.
In a recent fatal crash involving a Tesla that hit a tree and burst into flames, firefighters used 30,000 gallons of water in an attempt to extinguish the fire, but to no avail. The fire lasted for hours; eventually the firefighters gave up and allowed the fire to burn itself out.
If you’ve suffered burn injuries from an accident involving an electric vehicle, call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law at 713-973-8888 or toll-free 1-800-444-5000. Your compensation should match your pain and suffering. We will not stop until we obtain what you deserve.
Sudden Acceleration and Other Risks of Electric Vehicles
Sudden unintended acceleration in electric vehicles happens when the throttle fails to stabilize a voltage spike which causes the electric motor to accelerate on its own. Since this type of malfunction can happen at any time, it can cause a serious accident. Moreover, some modern cars come equipped with automated assistance technology that can confuse some drivers who are trying to avoid an accident and cause a car to accelerate or not stop at all.
For example, some electric vehicles come equipped with adaptive cruise control that uses radar to gauge the distance of a vehicle in front of it; but the problem is that people rely on this technology too much. Adaptive cruise control is an assisted driving technology that is unable to detect a stopped car. If the driver is not paying attention and doesn’t intervene, the results can be fatal.
Very often, in an electric car accident lawsuit, the cause of the accident can be difficult to discover and prove. Complex technology often turns into complex litigation.
Choosing the right lawyer can make the difference between winning or losing your accident case. The good news is there are experienced board-certified Texas attorneys who are ready to help. Call 713-973-8888 for a free case review.
FAQs About EV Accidents
Common Questions Our Electric Vehicle Accident Lawyers Hear from Clients
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may have many questions about your legal options. Our electric vehicle injury lawyers in Houston can provide you with the answers and help you need to pursue compensation. Here are some common questions and answers:
Generally speaking, the law views electric vehicle accidents in the same way as any other kind of accident. That is, if someone is injured or property is damaged due to negligence on the part of the driver, they may be held liable.
However, there are some unique aspects to electric vehicles that could come into play in certain accidents. For example, if an accident occurs because an electric vehicle’s battery suddenly failed, the manufacturer of the battery could potentially be held responsible.
During your free consultation, our lawyers will review your case and answer any questions you have. We will also explain how we can help you pursue your rights for an accident involving an electric vehicle.
You won’t have to pay anything upfront to hire our firm. We only collect a fee if we’re able to recover compensation for you.
Electric cars may be cleaner and more efficient than gasoline-powered cars, because EVs emit far fewer emissions than gasoline-powered cars.
On the other hand, when it comes time to charge an EV, the electricity that is used to recharge the battery is often sourced from fossil fuels since 40% of power plants generate power from natural gas and 19% of power plants are coal-fired.
One of the biggest dangers of electric cars is their range. Most electric cars can only travel for about 100 miles on a single charge, which may not be enough for long trips. If your EV battery dies, you could be stranded for long periods without food or water.
Electric cars also take longer to charge than gasoline-powered cars, so you need to plan ahead if you’re going to use one for an extended period.
Electric cars have a lot of torque, which makes them fun to drive. However, electric cars are still a relatively new technology, and there is a lot of work still to be done on how EVs can be safer for pedestrians, other motorists, and the occupants of an EV.
Legally speaking, if an electric car battery malfunctions or catches on fire, the manufacturer could be held liable. This could create a lot of financial pressure for car companies, and it could discourage people from buying electric cars.
An electric vehicle accident can be more serious than a standard car accident. For example, the batteries in electric vehicles can release hazardous materials, including acid and toxins. These materials can cause serious injuries to people and property.
Because the technology of EVs is different from traditional gas-powered cars, determining liability can be difficult, especially if there are conflicting accounts of what happened. An attorney can help you navigate these complex legal waters and get the compensation you deserve.
Do you have more questions? If you believe your injuries sustained in an accident involving an electric vehicle were caused by negligence, whether on the part of the driver or the manufacturer, we can help. Our attorneys are ready to answer any questions you may have about a possible legal case.
Call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, Your Electric Vehicle Lawyers in Houston
Experience + Skill + Determination = Results
Electric vehicle crashes can have serious consequences, and it is important to consult with an experienced EV lawyer who can help you understand your rights and options. Insurance companies may handle claims involving electric vehicles differently than other types of accidents, so it is also important to have an injury attorney who understands how electric vehicles work in your corner.
Get the help you need today. Contact our electric vehicle accident lawyer today at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law by calling 713-973-8888 or toll-free 1-800-444-5000.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
