Hybrid vehicles are much safer for occupants than conventional non-hybrid conventional vehicles.  However, these vehicles also seem to be involved in more numbers of pedestrian accidents than conventional vehicles.

According to a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, hybrid vehicles protect their occupants in accidents much better than conventional vehicles do.  These vehicles pack greater mass than conventional non-hybrid vehicle, and therefore, can absorb impact better.  In fact, these vehicles offer approximately 25% more protection than non-hybrid conventional vehicles.

That’s the good news.  The bad news is that these vehicles are also involved in more pedestrian accidents.  Houston car accident lawyers have not been unaware of that fact.  It’s been known for a while that hybrid cars make very little noise while traveling in electric mode, and therefore, are less likely to warn pedestrians about their approach.  A pedestrian who cannot hear an approaching car, is more likely to be in an accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently considering the addition of noise-emitting device on all hybrid vehicles.  These devices would emit a sound similar to that of a gas-powered engine, thereby alerting pedestrians approaching a car.  The agency has been especially concerned about the risks to visually impaired pedestrians who rely on the sense of hearing to detect an approaching car.  Children also may be at a high risk of accidents, when they cannot hear an approaching hybrid vehicle.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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