What To Do When Your Electric Car Is In An Accident: Complete Guide

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Key Insights

• Electric cars are statistically no more likely to be involved in accidents than conventional vehicles, with human error remaining the primary cause of most UK road incidents regardless of vehicle type.
• EV batteries are designed with robust safety systems and are generally less combustible than petrol or diesel fuel, making fire risks significantly lower than commonly perceived.
• Standard accident procedures apply to electric vehicles, but additional considerations include high-voltage system safety and specialised recovery requirements for damaged EVs.
• Gap insurance is particularly important for electric car salary sacrifice schemes, as EVs can depreciate rapidly and standard insurance may not cover the full outstanding lease amount.

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common on UK roads, with many drivers making the switch through electric car salary sacrifice schemes. While EVs are statistically as safe as conventional vehicles, knowing what to do if you're involved in an accident is essential for any electric car driver.

Electric Vehicle Accident Facts

Contrary to popular belief, electric cars are no more likely to be involved in accidents than petrol or diesel vehicles. Research consistently shows that human error, not vehicle type, remains the primary cause of road accidents across the UK.

EV Safety Considerations

Battery Safety: Modern EV batteries are engineered with multiple safety systems and are typically less combustible than conventional fuel. The high-voltage battery packs are heavily insulated and designed to withstand significant impact while protecting occupants.

Vehicle Weight: While electric cars are generally heavier due to battery packs, manufacturers have developed advanced braking systems and safety features to compensate for this additional weight, ensuring stopping distances remain comparable to conventional vehicles.

Emergency Response: First responders are increasingly trained to handle EV accidents safely, with specific protocols for dealing with high-voltage systems and potential battery damage.

EV vs Conventional Car Accident Response

Understanding the key differences between electric and conventional vehicle accidents helps ensure appropriate response and safety measures.

Aspect	Electric Vehicles	Petrol/Diesel Cars
Primary Safety Risk	High-voltage electrical system (400-800V)	Fuel leak and fire hazard
Immediate Hazards	Electrocution risk if battery damaged	Combustible fuel vapours
Recovery Requirements	EV-specialist recovery services with insulated equipment	Standard recovery vehicles sufficient
Repair Specialists	EV-qualified technicians required	Most garages can handle repairs
Emergency Response	Fire service needs EV-specific training and equipment	Standard firefighting equipment
Insurance Complexity	Higher due to specialist parts and gap insurance considerations	Standard motor insurance processes
Fire Suppression	Requires significantly more water (up to 40,000 litres)	Standard foam/water systems
Towing Method	Often requires flatbed or dolly wheels	Can be towed conventionally

What To Do Immediately After An Electric Car Accident

1. Ensure Safety First

Switch on hazard lights immediately to make your vehicle visible to other road users. Check that all passengers are safe and move to a secure location if possible.

For electric vehicles, turn off the ignition completely to deactivate the high-voltage system. Most modern EVs will automatically shut down the high-voltage system in the event of a collision.

2. Check for Damage

Examine your electric car thoroughly for any visible damage, no matter how minor it appears. Pay particular attention to:

• Body panels and lights

• Charging port area

• Undercarriage (where the battery pack is located)

• Any fluid leaks (though EVs have fewer fluids than conventional cars)

Never admit liability at the scene, even in casual conversation. Exchange insurance details with all parties involved.

3. Document Everything

Take comprehensive photographs of:

• All vehicle damage from multiple angles

• The accident scene and road conditions

• Number plates of all vehicles involved

• Any relevant road signs or traffic lights

• Damage to property or street furniture

This photographic evidence will be crucial for insurance claims and can significantly impact the success of your claim.

4. Contact Emergency Services

Call 999 if:

• Anyone is injured

• The accident involves significant damage

• The road is blocked

• You suspect the EV's battery pack has been damaged

• There are any signs of electrical damage or unusual smells

Important for EVs: If you suspect battery damage, inform emergency services that an electric vehicle is involved so they can send appropriately trained personnel.

5. Use Warning Triangles Safely

If safe to do so, place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your vehicle on the same side of the road.

On motorways: The Highway Code advises against using warning triangles on motorways due to the danger of walking in live traffic lanes. However, if you're on the hard shoulder and it's safe to do so, you may place a triangle behind your vehicle – but only if you can do so without crossing live lanes. In most cases, it's safer to simply use hazard lights and move to a safe location behind the safety barrier.

6. Contact Your Insurance Provider

Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, even for minor incidents. If you have your electric car through a salary sacrifice scheme, contact your scheme provider to inform them of the accident - The Electric Car Scheme will be able to guide you through the process. 

Special Considerations for Electric Vehicles

High-Voltage System Safety

If your EV has been significantly damaged, avoid touching any exposed wiring or damaged battery areas. High-voltage systems in electric cars can remain energised even after the vehicle is switched off.

Recovery and Repairs

Electric vehicles often require specialised recovery and repair services. Many conventional garages are not equipped to handle EV repairs, particularly those involving the high-voltage system or battery pack.

If your electric car needs recovery:

• Inform the recovery service that it's an electric vehicle

• Specify the make and model

• Mention any visible damage to the charging port or undercarriage

Insurance Considerations for Salary Sacrifice EVs

Comprehensive Insurance Guide for Electric Car Accidents

Understanding insurance implications is crucial for electric vehicle owners, particularly those using salary sacrifice schemes.

Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) Implications for Written-Off Vehicles

If your salary sacrifice electric car is written off during the scheme period, several BiK considerations apply:

• Immediate BiK Cessation: Your 3% BiK rate stops from the date the vehicle is deemed a total loss

• Prorated Calculations: HMRC calculates BiK based on actual usage period, not full tax year

• Replacement Vehicle BiK: New vehicle BiK starts immediately upon replacement delivery

• No BiK Gap: With established providers like The Electric Car Scheme, seamless replacement prevents BiK complications

Impact on Salary Sacrifice Calculations

Immediate Financial Changes:

• Salary Sacrifice Deductions: Stop immediately when vehicle is written off

• Gap Insurance Activation: Covers difference between insurance payout and outstanding lease amount

• Replacement Vehicle Costs: New salary sacrifice amount may differ based on replacement vehicle value

Financial Protection Mechanisms: Through quality salary sacrifice schemes:

• Zero Additional Cost: Gap insurance ensures no unexpected bills

• Maintained Savings: Replacement vehicle maintains your 20-50% cost savings

• Seamless Transition: New vehicle arrangements handled without employment contract changes

Insurance Settlement Timelines: EVs vs Conventional Cars

Conventional Vehicle Claims (Typical Timeline):

• Initial Assessment: 2-3 days

• Repair Estimate: 3-5 days

• Settlement Decision: 7-14 days total

• Payment Processing: 2-5 days after acceptance

Electric Vehicle Claims (Typical Timeline):

• Initial Assessment: 3-5 days (requires EV-qualified assessors)

• Specialist Evaluation: 7-14 days (battery and high-voltage system checks)

• Parts Availability Check: 5-10 days (EV-specific components often have longer lead times)

• Settlement Decision: 14-21 days total

• Payment Processing: 3-7 days after acceptance

Factors Causing EV Delays:

• Limited number of EV-qualified insurance assessors

• Specialist EV repair facility availability

• Battery safety assessments requiring additional expertise

• Higher-value claims requiring additional authorisation levels

Acceleration Through Salary Sacrifice: Established providers like The Electric Car Scheme maintain relationships with EV-specialist insurance partners, often reducing settlement times by 30-40% compared to standard motor insurance policies.

Motorway vs Local Road Accidents

The location of your accident significantly affects safety procedures and emergency response for electric vehicles.

Local Road Accidents

Warning Triangle Setup:

• Place triangle 45 metres behind your vehicle on same carriageway side

• Use high-visibility clothing when exiting vehicle

• Safe to retrieve triangle once emergency services arrive

Emergency Response:

• Local emergency services may have longer response times in rural areas

• Specify EV involvement to ensure EV-trained personnel are dispatched

• Consider that some rural areas may have limited specialist EV recovery services

Motorway Accidents

Warning Triangle Protocol:

• DO NOT attempt to place warning triangles on live running lanes

• Use hazard lights and move immediately to safety barrier area

• If on hard shoulder, only place triangle if you can do so without crossing traffic lanes

• Exit vehicle on the side away from traffic and move behind safety barriers

Emergency Response:

• Highways England/Traffic Scotland response typically within 20 minutes

• Inform 999 that an electric vehicle is involved for appropriate specialist attendance

• Recovery vehicles may need extended time to access due to lane closures

Safety Positioning:

• Move well behind safety barriers, not just away from your vehicle

• Consider that EV battery damage may require extended emergency service presence

• Be prepared for longer road closures due to specialist recovery requirements

After the Accident: Next Steps

Working with Your Salary Sacrifice Provider

If your electric car is obtained through a salary sacrifice scheme, contact your provider immediately. They will typically:

• Coordinate with their insurance partners

• Arrange appropriate EV-specialist repairs

• Provide a suitable replacement vehicle if needed

• Handle communications with the leasing company

Repair Considerations

Electric car repairs can take longer than conventional vehicles due to:

• Specialist parts availability

• Need for EV-qualified technicians

• Additional safety checks on high-voltage systems

• Potential battery pack assessment or replacement

Replacement Vehicles

If your electric car is off the road for an extended period, your salary sacrifice provider should arrange a replacement vehicle. With The Electric Car Scheme, replacement vehicles are typically other electric models to maintain your low-emission driving experience.

Prevention and Preparation

Regular Maintenance

Keeping your electric car well-maintained can prevent some accidents:

• Ensure tyres are properly inflated and have adequate tread

• Keep windscreens and lights clean

• Check that all safety systems are functioning properly

• Maintain awareness of your vehicle's range and charging needs

Emergency Kit for Electric Cars

Consider keeping these items in your EV:

• Warning triangle and high-visibility vest

• First aid kit

• Emergency contact numbers (including your scheme provider)

• Portable phone charger

• Insulated gloves (in case of electrical emergency)

Practical Emergency Checklist

• Immediate Actions (First 5 Minutes)

  Safety First:

  • Switch on hazard lights immediately

  • Turn off ignition completely to deactivate high-voltage system

  • Check all passengers for injuries

  • Exit vehicle away from traffic if safe to do so

  • Move to secure location behind safety barriers

  Assess the Situation:

  • Check for visible EV battery damage (undercarriage/charging port area)

  • Look for any unusual smells or sounds from battery area

  • Note any fluid leaks (though EVs have fewer fluids)

  • Observe if high-voltage warning lights are illuminated

• Emergency Services (Call 999 if required)

  Tell the operator:

  • "This involves an electric vehicle"

  • Your exact location and vehicle registration

  • Nature of injuries (if any)

  • Whether you suspect battery damage

  • If the road is blocked or hazardous

• Documentation Phase

  Photograph everything:

  • All vehicle damage from multiple angles

  • EV charging port and battery area (if accessible)

  • Other vehicles involved

  • Road conditions and signage

  • Number plates of all vehicles

• Exchange information

  • Insurance details with all parties

  • Contact information

  • Driving licence details

  • Vehicle registration numbers

• Contact Priority List

  For Salary Sacrifice Electric Cars:

  1. Emergency services (if injuries/major damage)

  2. Insurance company

  3. Your lease provider - while they will not get involved in the claims process - they may be able to assist in case of write-off.

  For Privately Owned EVs:

  1. Emergency services (if required)

  2. Your motor insurance company

  3. Finance company (if applicable)

• EV-Specific Safety Warnings

  DO NOT:

  • Touch any exposed high-voltage cables (orange-coloured)

  • Touch damaged battery areas

  • Attempt to move vehicle if battery damage suspected

  • Use water near damaged electrical components

  DO:

  • Keep people away from damaged battery area

  • Inform recovery operators that vehicle is electric

  • Request EV-specialist recovery if battery damage suspected

• Emergency Kit Items (Keep in Vehicle)

  • High-visibility vest and warning triangle

  • Emergency contact numbers (scheme provider, insurance)

  • First aid kit and portable phone charger

Conclusion

While accidents involving electric cars follow similar procedures to conventional vehicles, the specialised nature of EV technology requires additional considerations. The key is remaining calm, prioritising safety, and working with knowledgeable insurance and repair providers.

For drivers considering the switch to electric through a company electric car scheme, comprehensive insurance coverage including gap insurance provides essential protection. With proper preparation and understanding of EV-specific safety considerations, electric car drivers can confidently handle any accident situation while enjoying the many benefits of electric vehicle ownership.

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Last updated: 18/08/2025

Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms; 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme’s terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions; England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.

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