California leads the nation in electric vehicle adoption, with millions of EVs on the road in 2025. Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and other EV brands are now common sights on freeways and city streets. But with this surge in popularity comes an unexpected problem—accidents involving electric vehicles are climbing at alarming rates. From high-speed crashes to fire risks, EV accidents are creating new challenges for California drivers and victims.

The Rise of EV Accidents in 2025

Accident reports show that California has seen a 22% increase in electric vehicle crashes compared to 2023. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego lead the state in EV-related collisions. The growing number of electric cars, combined with their unique driving characteristics, has made roads riskier in ways many drivers didn’t anticipate.

Why EVs Are Involved in More Accidents

Acceleration, Many EVs boast instant torque and rapid acceleration, which can lead to drivers losing control or rear-ending other vehicles.
Silent Operation, Because EVs are quieter than gas-powered cars, pedestrians often don’t hear them approaching, leading to more collisions in crosswalks.
Battery Fires, EV crashes sometimes result in dangerous lithium-ion battery fires that are difficult for emergency crews to control.
Driver Overconfidence, Advanced driver-assist features can create a false sense of security, causing distracted driving or misuse of autopilot systems.

Cities Hit the Hardest

Los Angeles, In 2025, LA freeways have seen dozens of EV-related pileups, especially on the 405 and I-5.
San Francisco, The rise of self-driving EVs like Waymo has contributed to multiple pedestrian-involved accidents downtown.
San Diego, EV crashes tied to distracted drivers using in-car touchscreens are increasing in the Gaslamp Quarter and Mission Valley.
Sacramento, Freeway speeds and inexperienced EV drivers have led to a surge in highway crashes this year.

Human Stories Behind the Numbers

In January 2025, a Tesla driver in Los Angeles lost control on the 101, slamming into multiple vehicles and causing a fiery crash. In April, a pedestrian in San Francisco was struck by a self-driving EV that failed to stop in time at a crosswalk. These incidents show how EV accidents can be more complex and dangerous than traditional car crashes.

Legal Challenges for Victims

EV accidents often involve multiple parties, drivers, car manufacturers, and even software companies. In 2025, lawsuits have already been filed against manufacturers for defective batteries, malfunctioning autopilot systems, and inadequate safety warnings. Victims face uphill battles as companies fight to limit liability.

What Victims Should Do After an EV Crash

Call 911 immediately and request medical help, especially in crashes involving battery fires. Document the scene with photos and video, and gather witness statements. Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney, since EV cases are often more complex than standard car accidents.

Conclusion

California’s embrace of electric vehicles has created both innovation and new dangers. With EV accidents surging in 2025, victims need to understand their rights and the unique legal challenges these cases present. At Hillstone Law, we fight for Californians injured in EV crashes, ensuring they are fully compensated and holding negligent drivers and corporations accountable.