Electric Cars Could Spawn Personal Injury Claims

Quoting some alarming accident statistics, a law firm with a a strong plaintiff personal injury practice points out that a characteristic of hybrid electric cars sometimes considered a positive – the fact they are almost totally silent – may constitute a danger to pedestrians. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that pedestrians are about 39 percent more likely to be hit by a hybrid electric car than one with a conventional engine. Currently some hybrids come with various kinds of artificial noise features, such as a one that comes on at low speeds and could be effective in parking lots, but there are regulations in the works that will mandate more extensive technology. The National Federation for the Blind is lobbying on the issue.