Electric vehicles are becoming a common sight across Illinois and beyond. Drivers appreciate their quieter ride and cleaner footprint, but the technology behind them isn’t without risks.
When an electric car malfunctions, the consequences can be serious. If an accident follows, the injuries and liability questions are often even more complicated.
For Midwest drivers, knowing the potential dangers of electric vehicle failures can make a real difference if you or someone you love is hurt in a crash.
Between 2011 and 2023, EV ownership worldwide increased by an average of 53% year-over-year. While electric vehicle crashes remain a smaller portion of total car accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has reported a pattern of specific hazards tied to electric car failures, including battery fires and sudden loss of power.
In this post, our car accident attorneys will break down what you need to know if you drive (or have been injured in) an electric car. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- The most common electric car malfunctions and warning signs
- Battery system failures and their fire hazards
- Recent recalls and ongoing safety concerns
- Legal rights after an electric car accident
- How fault is determined when malfunctions cause a crash
- Steps to take if you believe a malfunction played a role in your accident
Common Electric Car Malfunctions
Modern electric vehicles look and often drive like ordinary gas cars. However, the complex technology under the hood introduces new types of failures that may not seem obvious until something goes wrong.
Charging System Malfunction Overview
Problems with the charging system can strike without much warning. If your car fails to draw power from a charging station, it may leave you stranded or cause sudden power loss while driving.
Sometimes, faulty charging cables or poorly installed charging stations can add to the problem, creating safety risks for both the driver and other motorists.
EV Control System Malfunction Types
Electric vehicles depend on advanced software and sensors to manage acceleration, braking, and battery use. If these control systems misfire or the software glitches, you might lose power unexpectedly, struggle with unresponsive controls, or find the car won’t start at all.
In some cases, software flaws have even triggered unwanted acceleration. For example, one road test reviewer was shocked when a 2024 Dodge Charger EV accelerated on its own, highlighting this issue across many EVs (USA Today).
Electrical Malfunction in Car Signs
Staying aware of symptoms can prevent a minor issue from becoming a dangerous one. Signs to watch for include dashboard warning lights, unusual noises during charging, or a sudden loss of range.
Onboard diagnostics are useful, but not a substitute for paying attention to these signs, especially when driving in and around busy cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, or Indianapolis.
Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Risks and Failures
Lithium-ion batteries power most electric cars. These battery packs combine light weight with high energy, but they come with their own risks. Additionally, the Midwest’s cold snaps and summer heat waves can stress these systems even further.
EV Battery Failure Causes
Battery issues may be triggered by manufacturing defects, physical impact (as in a crash), water intrusion during storms, or even charging mistakes.
A battery failure might first present as reduced driving range, but in some cases, it leads to smoke or even a chemical fire. The NTSB has investigated at least three EV crashes that resulted in post-crash fires.
Electric Car Battery Accidents
Unlike fuel fires, battery fires are more difficult to extinguish and can reignite hours after appearing to be put out.
In Illinois and Wisconsin, local fire departments have reported challenges fighting electric vehicle fires, sometimes requiring tens of thousands of gallons of water and extra safety equipment.
Electric Car Fire Accident Examples
Recent years have seen news stories about electric vehicles catching fire after collisions in areas like northern Indiana and suburban Illinois. In several cases, these fires were traced to damaged battery packs, underscoring the importance of proper crash investigation.
Always inform emergency responders if your accident involved an electric vehicle so they can take special precautions.
Electric Car Recalls and Safety Concerns
As with other vehicles, electric cars sometimes develop defects that lead to nationwide recalls. Manufacturers issue these recalls when they find problems that could cause injuries, fires, or sudden vehicle shutdowns.
Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Risks
Hybrid vehicles combine gas engines with electric battery packs. This means they may have twice the number of systems that can fail.
Common risks for these cars include electric shock after a crash (especially for emergency crews) and delayed fires that start after an accident scene is cleared.
Auto Product Liability Basics
A product defect does not mean every vehicle in that model year is unsafe. However, if a manufacturing or design flaw causes injuries, accident victims can seek compensation.
Under product liability law in the Midwest, the focus is on whether the vehicle was unreasonably dangerous when used as intended. Proper recall repairs are critical, as delaying or missing recall notices puts drivers and passengers at risk.
Legal Rights After EV Accidents
If you’re injured in an electric vehicle accident, you should know your rights. When a malfunction may be to blame, victims should explore their legal options, especially as EV technology continues to advance and raise new questions about responsibility.
Role of a Personal Injury Attorney
A personal injury attorney will help you understand if a malfunction played a part in the crash. These cases often require more technical investigation than typical car accidents, as the root cause might lie in software, wiring, or battery defects.
Choosing an Electric Car Accident Lawyer
Seek a lawyer with experience handling vehicle defect cases, especially involving electric or hybrid technology. They should know how to collect the right evidence, work with engineers, and push back against large manufacturers.
Working with a Vehicle Defect Attorney
If your case involves vehicle failure, a lawyer will coordinate with experts to test components, review software histories, and assess if your injury stemmed from a defect. They will also help you deal with insurance companies dragging their feet or denying claims due to the car’s electric systems.
Proving Fault in Malfunction Cases
Proving fault gets complicated when modern car tech is involved. It’s not always clear why or how a malfunction happened without digging into the details.
Accident Reconstructionist Methods
Accident reconstructionists are specially trained experts. They use crash scene data, black box information, and sometimes even recreate events using computer models to find the truth about a malfunction.
In the Midwest, these experts may also consider how extreme weather, salt from winter roads, or local charging practices may have played a role.
Evidence in EV Accidents
Evidence in these cases goes beyond photos and eyewitness testimony. Important evidence can include the car’s event data recorder, software logs, maintenance records, and physical battery inspection.
It’s vital to preserve the vehicle after a crash, including the battery and all components, so that experts can investigate thoroughly.
Manufacturer Responsibility
Manufacturers are held to a high standard. If a defect caused or worsened your injuries, they may be liable. It takes careful collection of evidence and a clear link between the defect and the injury to succeed in these claims.
Electric Vehicle Accidents: Steps for Victims
If you’ve been hurt in an electric car accident or believe a malfunction played a part, take these steps right away:
- Make sure everyone is safe and call 911. Inform emergency responders if the car is electric, so they can follow the right procedures.
- Document everything. Take photos of the vehicle, scene, charging cables, and any warning lights or error messages.
- Do not move or tamper with the car until after experts have inspected it, unless it poses a danger.
- Contact your insurance company, but avoid speculating about the cause of the malfunction in early conversations.
- Save all medical records, repair bills, and any recall notices you may have received.
Lastly, reach out to someone with experience in electric vehicle accident cases. This is the best way to assess all of your legal options.
Protect Your Rights After an Electric Vehicle Crash
Electric vehicles are changing how we drive, but they also introduce risks that Midwest drivers can’t afford to ignore. From battery fires to software glitches in self-driving cars, knowing the warning signs and keeping track of electric car recalls can help protect you and your family.
If an accident does happen, documenting everything and seeking legal guidance early can make a major difference in your recovery and personal injury case.
At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we fight for drivers and families across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin who have been hurt in EV accidents. If you or a loved one was injured due to an electric vehicle malfunction, don’t wait: schedule a free consultation today and let our team help you pursue the compensation you deserve.