Tesla Under Investigation After String of Suspicious Crashes in California
Tesla has become one of the most successful American car companies within just a few years, and its success is largely due to its technologically-advanced features. But what if these features are causing more harm than good? What if this technology is causing people to crash and suffer terrible injuries? These are some of the questions federal investigators are trying to answer as they look into recent crashes in California – including one particular incident involving a Tesla and a fire truck. But what can you do if you have been injured by a Tesla crash in California?
Feds Investigate Tesla Crash
The main question federal investigators are trying to answer is whether the Tesla that crashed into the Contra Costa County fire truck had its “Autopilot” feature engaged at the time of the collision. If this technology were in use, it would heighten existing concerns about the safety of driver-assistance technology. Not only did this crash injure the Tesla driver, but it also injured four firefighters. Unfortunately, the driver of the Tesla did not recover from his injuries. This makes it difficult to determine what was going on behind the wheel of the vehicle – but so-called “black boxes” from vehicles can provide investigators with clues about the vehicle’s speed and other data.
The Vehicle Had Been Recalled
It was later revealed that this particular Tesla was a “Model S” – the same type that had been recalled across the nation due to flaws in the “Full Self Driving” feature. Over 360,000 of these vehicles were recalled due to safety concerns. Tesla insists that while the technology allows Teslas to drive themselves, human operators must be alert and ready to intervene at a moment’s notice. Unfortunately, there have been numerous accounts of Tesla drivers sleeping behind the wheel or engaging in other highly-distracting behavior while relying on the software to get them safely to their destinations. To say that this is a recipe for disaster would be an understatement.
Unsafe Steering Wheels
In other news, it was reported that steering wheels from Model Y SUVs were completely detaching. At least two Model Ys had been sold without an important bolt in their steering wheels. With nothing holding the steering wheel onto the steering column, users got quite a scare when it came loose. This is yet another aspect of a much wider investigation into Tesla and its alleged safety issues. The investigation may uncover more safety issues of which the public is not yet aware.
Where Can I Find a California Personal Injury Attorney?
If you have been searching for an experienced personal injury attorney in California, look no further than Knez Law Group, LLP. We know how dangerous car crashes can be, and there may be a number of negligent parties that you can sue for damages. Book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan based on your specific circumstances. Act now to avoid issues with the statute of limitations.
Matthew J. Knez graduated from the University of Redlands in California where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. He went on to pursue his Law Degree at the University of LaVerne, College of Law in Ontario, California. While pursuing his law degree he earned various awards, including CALI Award in Torts and he was on the Dean’s List. Mr. Knez was also a member of the Justice and Immigration Clinic where he worked with people seeking asylum into the United States from countries where they had experienced persecution or threat of persecution. Additionally, Mr. Knez was a member of Law Review where he was an Associate Editor and published a Law Review article on California family custody move-away cases.