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We reconsider the economic analysis of (major) technological risks via the civil liability system, in a perspective that includes the possibility of technological change: firms can innovate to obtain a more efficient risk prevention technology. We use analyses from environmental economics (Endres et alii, 2006, 2008) and include two characteristics inherent in the analysis of major risks: ex post insolvency and the possibility of designing ?double impact? innovations (capable of reducing both the cost of prevention and the probability of accidents). Contrary to Endres et alii, we show that strict liability and negligence rules have different impacts on behaviour. Performance of the negligence rule depends on the type of innovation developed and on the regulator?s behaviour.