Tesla Sued Once Again in Alameda County
Tesla has faced numerous lawsuits over the years, and these lawsuits seem to be filed on a regular basis throughout the United States. One of the most recent lawsuits against the car manufacturer has been filed in Alameda County. In July of 2021, it was reported that Tesla was being sued over the death of a 15-year-old boy. Once again, the infamous autopilot feature took center stage, as plaintiffs sought to establish that this AI technology led directly to the death of their son. How easy is it to sue Tesla for these kinds of injuries? Have any of these lawsuits been successful in the past? What should you do if you have been injured by a Tesla crash in Oakland?
Your first step should always be to get in touch with a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney in Oakland. These legal professionals can listen carefully to your unique situation before recommending the best course of action. Each case is different, so you really need to book a consultation with one of these attorneys in order to proceed in the most efficient manner. While internet research is a positive first step, you will need the personalized attention of an attorney in order to determine the best way forward.
Tesla Sued For Death of 15-Year-Old Boy
A family in Alameda County is claiming that Tesla’s Autopilot feature is to blame for the death of their 15-year-old son. While the family was driving in their vehicle, they were rear-ended by a Tesla Model 3 on Interstate I-880. The impact caused their vehicle to flip over, flying over the barrier and off the freeway. The family’s 15-year-old son was ejected from the vehicle in this crash and suffered fatal injuries. The father, Maldonado Escudero, suffered a severely injured spine.
It was later determined that the Tesla Model 3 was traveling over the speed limit and reached a velocity of 70 miles per hour before the impact. The highway’s posted speed limit was 65 miles per hour. Perhaps most importantly, the family alleges that the driver was not even in control of his vehicle at the time of the crash. Instead, they claim that the driver was utilizing Tesla’s Autopilot feature. Crucially, they point out that for at least six seconds prior to the crash, this driver did nothing to avert an obvious collision. This would imply that he was not paying attention to the road and instead relying on the Autopilot feature to avoid collisions.
The family’s attorney has apparently acquired footage from the Tesla’s onboard camera systems that support these claims. This video clearly shows Escudero properly using his right-turn indicators before trying to change lanes. A few seconds later, the Tesla had impacted the rear of the vehicle while traveling well above the speed limit.
Who is to Blame?
Tesla has been named as a defendant in this lawsuit, joining the driver of the Model 3 and his wife. However, the auto manufacturer has been attempting to shift the blame squarely onto the shoulders of the driver, claiming that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle itself. Instead, they point to a police report which seems to suggest that the driver of the car was to blame for the accident due to his inattentiveness and his speeding. Nowhere in the police report does it state that the Tesla vehicle itself was to blame for the fatal accident.
At the end of the day, it seems likely that this family will have the opportunity to recover compensation for their losses, either via Tesla, the driver of the Model 3, or a combination of both. Tesla’s official statements describe Autopilot as an “enhanced form of cruise control” and stress that a human operator must be supervising the system at all times. However, they have been accused of misleading their customers with advertising campaigns that seem to overstate the capabilities of this feature.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you have been searching the Oakland area for an experienced personal injury attorney, look no further than Mary Alexander & Associates. We know how traumatic and life-altering these kinds of accidents can be, especially if you have lost a loved one. These accidents can be even more difficult to process when you know that someone else was to blame. There have been many questions raised about Tesla’s autopilot feature, and this latest lawsuit will not be the last.
If you believe that any “technologically advanced” feature of your automobile led to your crash, you have every right to file a personal injury claim. With our assistance, you can recover a considerable settlement for your injuries. This settlement can help you pay for medical expenses, missed wages, and much more. Book your consultation today, and we can help you strive for a positive outcome.
