Are Electric Cars Dangerous to Pedestrians?
Electric vehicles are a popular choice among drivers in Los Angeles, with advantages such as greater sustainability and lower gas prices than nonelectric vehicles. Without combustion engines, however, electric vehicles are extremely quiet. While this may be viewed as another advantage to driving an electric car, it can present a serious hazard to pedestrians, who may not hear the car coming; so much so that the U.S. government required all hybrid cars and electric vehicles to make some type of noise when traveling under 19 miles per hour.
Prevalence of Pedestrian Accidents With Electric Cars
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. in 2017. This is the equivalent of one death every 88 minutes. In addition, over 137,000 pedestrians had to go to emergency rooms for nonfatal accident injuries. In California alone, almost 900 pedestrians were killed in 2018 (source: the California Office of Traffic Safety).
Every year, serious and fatal pedestrian collisions involve electric or hybrid vehicles. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 24,297 pedestrian accidents involved electric vehicles from 2000 to 2008. The study concluded that overall, the odds of a hybrid electric vehicle being in an accident involving a pedestrian or bicycle are greater than an internal combustion engine vehicle (1.57 and 1.35, respectively).
Lack of Noise as a Factor for Danger
Studies have shown that the quiet nature of electric vehicles is a risk factor for these collisions. The NHTSA found that electric vehicles are 37 percent more likely to cause pedestrian collisions and 57 percent more likely to cause bicycle collisions than vehicles that use louder combustion engines.
The statistics for pedestrian accidents involving electric vehicles are much higher among individuals with disabilities. One study found that an astounding 93 percent of people with vision problems have issues with electric vehicles, as they are unable to hear them as they can with combustion engine vehicles.
Studies confirming the dangerous nature of silent electric vehicles, especially for pedestrians with disabilities, is what drove the government to pass a mandate requiring electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturers to make noise by September 2020 (extended to 2021 due to COVID-19). The hope is that the sounds implemented will provide greater protection for pedestrians who may otherwise fail to notice these vehicles.
Pedestrian Road Safety
As a pedestrian in Los Angeles, you may be able to reduce your risk of an accident involving an electric vehicle by paying attention to your surroundings. Be hypervigilant when walking, jogging or running around LA, especially in busy downtown areas and intersections with a lot of vehicle traffic. This means avoiding distractions, such as looking down at your cell phone or listening to music.
You can also reduce your risk of a collision by understanding and obeying the roadway rules that apply to you as a pedestrian. If a traffic control signal tells you to yield the right-of-way to oncoming vehicles, for example, wait at the curb until you are given the sign to walk. Even if you have the right-of-way, double-check that an oncoming driver sees you and is coming to a full stop.
Injured? Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you were hit by an electric car while walking or jogging around Los Angeles, you may be entitled to financial compensation. All drivers in California must carry bodily injury and property damage liability insurance to pay for the car accidents that they cause. You may be entitled to financial compensation if the driver is at fault for your pedestrian collision, such as by speeding or distracted driving.
If an investigation finds that the manufacturer of the electric or hybrid vehicle contributed to the accident, such as by failing to adhere to the new federal standard for noise, the manufacturer may also be liable for your accident. A Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer can thoroughly investigate your pedestrian accident to determine fault and collect evidence. Then, your lawyer can help you pursue maximum financial compensation for your serious injuries and losses.