Key Takeaways
1. The family of three victims from a New Jersey car accident has filed a lawsuit against Tesla.
2. The accident occurred while the Tesla Model S was using its Autopilot feature, resulting in a crash into a concrete bridge support.
3. The lawsuit alleges a design flaw in the vehicle and claims the emergency braking system failed to activate.
4. The family argues that Tesla did not adequately inform the driver about the safety limitations of the Autopilot system.
5. Tesla has faced multiple complaints regarding its advanced driver-assistance systems, but insists that drivers must remain attentive and in control at all times.
The family of three individuals who tragically died in a car accident in New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against Tesla in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey. The victims lost their lives in a Model S that had its Autopilot feature engaged on September 14, 2024.
Details of the Incident
David Dryerman, who was driving, along with his wife Michele and their daughter Brooke, were returning home from a music festival when their Tesla Model S unexpectedly left the road and collided with a concrete bridge support. At the time of the crash, all three were reportedly secured with seatbelts.
Allegations Against Tesla
According to the lawsuit, the Dryermans’ vehicle drifted out of its lane because of a design flaw. It also claims that the emergency braking system failed to activate, which might have stopped the accident from occurring. The family’s estates assert that Tesla did not inform David of the Model S’s safety limitations. They referenced CEO Elon Musk’s 2016 statement, which suggested that Autopilot was “probably better” than human drivers.
The legal documentation states, “Thousands of Tesla drivers have trusted the company’s ADAS technology as if it could perform safe, fully autonomous driving with just a few software updates, while in reality, it struggles to manage various everyday driving situations without driver intervention.”
Compensation Details
The lawsuit does not outline the specific compensatory and punitive damages sought by the plaintiffs.
Tesla has been the subject of several complaints related to its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Nevertheless, the company maintains that Autopilot should only be used with the driver fully focused and hands on the steering wheel at all times.
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