TESLA RESUELVE UNA DEMANDA POR MUERTE POR NEGLIGENCIA QUE INVOLUCRA LA FUNCIÓN DE PILOTO AUTOMÁTICO

Tesla settles high-profile lawsuit after Apple engineer killed when his Tesla Model X crashed on California highway

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – The family of an Apple engineer has settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Tesla just before the case was set to go to trial.

Walter Huang, who worked as an engineer for Apple, died in Silicon Valley on March 23, 2018, when his Tesla SUV crashed into a concrete median strip.

Lawyers for his family said the vehicle’s Autopilot system was engaged when the crash occurred. Tesla has touted the safety features of its Autopilot system.

But lawyers for the plaintiff’s family have argued that Tesla oversold the technology’s capabilities. According to them, it is not as safe as advertised. There have been a number of collisions involving Tesla vehicles on Autopilot in California.

• A Tesla in ‘Full Self-Driving’ mode was involved in an accident on the Bay Bridge that left 8 people injured in 2023.
• A Tesla on Autopilot crashed into a parked fire truck in Walnut Creek in March 2023.
• A Tesla on autopilot crashed into a wall before catching fire in California in December 2022.
• A Tesla on Autopilot was reportedly involved in a fatal pedestrian collision in May 2022.

This deal came as Tesla has come under increased scrutiny over its Autopilot feature. In particular, there have been a number of videos online of people who have fallen asleep in their Tesla while Autopilot is engaged.

Tesla has also recalled 2 million vehicles in the United States to update the Autopilot software.

Liability for crashes involving Tesla vehicles

Tesla has continued to grow from a small startup to become the largest automaker in the world by market capitalization. One of the features that helped Tesla become popular among consumers is the Autopilot feature. Despite what the name might suggest, Tesla vehicles that engage Autopilot are not capable of driving themselves. They still require human intervention in most situations associated with their use on the road. Even for that limited use case, drivers are required to monitor what is happening. Despite the promise of this technology, there are many reports about the shortcomings of the Autopilot feature.

• Vehicles on autopilot have had trouble stopping for stalled traffic.
• Autopilot vehicles are supposed to require drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. But some drivers have found a way to get around this requirement.
• Vehicles on autopilot have reportedly been affected by sun glare.

Depending on the facts of any case, Tesla could potentially be liable for collisions involving its vehicles. All automakers have a legal obligation to create vehicles that are reasonably safe. They must also warn consumers about non-obvious dangers associated with using their products. When an automaker creates a vehicle with design, manufacturing, or marketing defects, this could form the basis of a civil lawsuit.

A number of lawsuits against Tesla have argued that the vehicle’s Autopilot feature is unsafe. In particular, there have been numerous instances where Tesla vehicles on Autopilot have failed to stop for parked emergency vehicles or stationary objects. It has also been alleged that Tesla has not taken sufficient steps to warn consumers about the shortcomings of this software. There are a number of steps that should be taken following any accident involving a Tesla vehicle.

• The police report of the collision should be reviewed.
• It must be determined whether the vehicle was in Autopilot or “full self-driving” mode.
• Medical records related to the accident must be retained.
• An experienced Orange County car accident attorney should be contacted .

Car accidents can be particularly traumatic. Many accident victims are left with life-altering injuries and may need to take long periods of time off work. Sadly, however, Tesla and other manufacturers will often do everything in their power to deny liability if one of their vehicles is involved in a collision. That’s why it’s always a good idea to seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can examine all the unique facts of your case and let you know if you have a claim that can be pursued.

Getting Legal Help After Accidents Involving Tesla Vehicles

At Samer Habbas & Associates we extend our best wishes to all those who have been impacted by crashes involving Tesla vehicles. The safety features Tesla is implementing have the promise of drastically reducing collisions. But these features should not be placed on public roads without proper safeguards and testing.

Have you or someone you love been injured in an accident involving a Tesla vehicle on Autopilot? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our team of car accident attorneys is here to help in any way we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need some type of support, we may be able to help. You can reach us anytime at 949-727-9300