Electric Shock: The Hidden Dangers of EVs in Crashes You Need to Know
| September 16th, 2024
The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has been rapid, driven by their potential to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Manufacturers like Tesla, Nissan, and Chevrolet lead this green movement, offering vehicles with environmental benefits, advanced technology, and impressive performance.
However, alongside their many advantages, these vehicles have a hidden risk: the danger of electric shock following an accident. Shock injuries can leave victims with lifelong scarring and emotional distress and require extensive medical care to treat.
Learn more about the hidden risks of EV-related crashes and how our California car accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers can help you hold the manufacturer responsible for damages.
Understanding the Hidden Risks
Due to their complex electrical systems, EVs introduce a new risk to vehicle safety concerns: electric shock or burns. These vehicles are powered by high-voltage batteries, typically between 400 and 800 volts.
Designed to deliver power to the vehicle’s motor, these batteries can become a source of danger in an accident due to the following:
- Electric Shock: Electric shock happens when the high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles are damaged in an accident. If the protective insulation is compromised, and someone touches the exposed parts, they can get shocked.
- Thermal Burns: EV batteries can overheat if damaged in a crash, leading to burns. The concentrated energy in the batteries can generate intense heat when the structure is compromised, making them a burn hazard.
- Chemical Burns: The electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries is a chemical that can be corrosive. If the battery casing is breached, this electrolyte can leak out and cause chemical burns on contact with the skin.
- Fire and Explosion Hazards: Damaged EV batteries can catch fire or explode. This is often due to thermal runaway, where one cell’s failure rapidly increases temperature and ignites neighboring cells, potentially leading to a powerful explosion.
Consequences of EV-Related Accidents
Injuries like electric shocks or burns in an EV crash can have severe consequences. Electric shocks can lead to cardiac arrest, muscle damage, and other serious health issues, often requiring long-term medical treatment. Whether from direct contact with overheated batteries or chemical exposure, burns can be deep and require extensive care.
The cost of managing these injuries can be more than many families can handle—even with health insurance. It often involves emergency care, specialized treatments, and long-term therapy, which can financially burden you and your family.
Shocks and burns can also impact your quality of life, causing lasting physical and psychological distress.
How Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you suffer electric shock injuries in an EV collision, you can seek compensation from the at-fault party. However, these cases can be complex, featuring multiple liable parties and requiring technical evidence.
Our personal injury attorneys have the experience to handle your case effectively. We can help in the following ways:
- Understanding EV Technology: Our attorneys work with experts to understand the technical aspects of electric vehicles, including their high-voltage systems and battery designs. Technology expert insights allow us to assess how these components can cause or worsen accidents, providing a solid foundation for building a strong case.
- Assessing Manufacturer Liability: We rigorously analyze EVs’ design and manufacturing processes to identify any failures meeting safety standards that may have led to the accident. This involves scrutinizing battery integrity, electrical insulation, and overall vehicle safety features.
- Navigating Product Liability Claims: Our team manages claims that involve complex product liability issues specific to electric vehicles. We argue these cases by demonstrating how defects in design or manufacturing could have directly resulted in the injuries sustained.
- Documenting Injuries and Damages: Our lawyers collect and present evidence, including medical documentation and technical assessments, to prove the link between the EV accident and your injuries.
- Providing Legal Support and Advice: We guide clients through legal proceedings involving EV accidents, offering clear, informed advice at every step. Our comprehensive support ensures you understand your rights and the legal strategies available.
Pursue Fair Compensation After an EV Accident
Electric vehicle accidents present unique risks, such as electric shocks and burns, that require informed legal action. Our skilled California car accident attorneys handle cases involving EV technology. We can use our knowledge to successfully determine the cause of your injuries and seek compensation from the manufacturer or other at-fault party.
Contact our team today for a free consultation. Berg Injury Lawyers can help you take the first step toward securing the settlement you deserve and get you on the road to recovery.
