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Investigation Reveals that Tesla Battery Posed Danger after Fatal Florida Car Accident

Autopilot

According to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board on June 26th, the battery in a Model S Tesla car involved in a fatal car accident here in Florida reignited twice after firefighters extinguished the blaze that consumed the vehicle on impact, presenting a significant hazard to consumers. The report is part of a federal agency investigation into the electric car’s lithium-ion battery and its potential to start fires, as well as the emergency response to this potential hazard.

The Board is now examining a number of crashes involving Tesla vehicles, including those involving the Autopilot driver-assistance system, which has reportedly failed to prevent car accidents.

Previous Class Action Settlement over Autopilot System

The Model S and Autopilot system have faced their history of legal challenges: On May 24, the company reached an agreement settling a class action lawsuit with buyers of both the Model S and X cars, who alleged that the company’s Autopilot system was “demonstrably dangerous” and “essentially unusable.” These features were not only arguably dangerous for those riding in the cars and others on the road, but also fraudulent and misleading, as the Tesla car owners had paid an extra $5,000 to have their cars equipped with software systems that promised “additional safety features” such as automated emergency braking and side collision warning; all measures that turned out to be completely inoperable, according to the complaint. Tesla has agreed to place more than $5 million into the settlement agreement, and has indicated that, even though the settlement only covers U.S. customers, it would “compensate all customers globally in the same way.”

Previously, two Tesla drivers died in crashes in which Autopilot was engaged, one of which is still being investigated by safety regulators. The company has also agreed to compensate any owners who purchased the 2.0 version of the Autopilot software and had to wait longer than expected for these driving features to work in their vehicles.

Contact Florida Car Accident & Personal Injury Attorneys

If you have suffered due to a car accident that was either the fault of the other driver or a manufacturer, ensure that you discuss the issue with an experienced car accident lawyer before you speak with anyone else about the accident, including any insurance companies. It is crucial to ensure that you work with someone who is knowledgeable and trustworthy, and who will ensure that your best interests are protected so that you can start to get back on your feet and on the road to recovery. The experienced Jacksonville accident attorneys at Douglas & Douglas are here to help—contact us today to find out more.

Resources:

ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/HWY18FH013-prelim.pdf

reuters.com/article/us-tesla-autopilot-lawsuit/tesla-agrees-to-settle-class-action-over-autopilot-billed-as-safer-idUSKCN1IQ1SH

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