The clean energy company, Tesla, was in the news last week for two separate accidents involving its popular electric vehicles. Although the causes of both incidents are still under investigation, they will be sure to reignite concerns by safety advocates over the application of autonomous driving technology on our nation’s roadways.
Tesla Accidents in the US
The first accident occurred in California, leaving 3 car occupants dead after a Model S struck a curb and then slammed into construction equipment. Hospital workers took three construction workers to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The second incident occurred in Ohio. A driver crashed his Tesla 3 head-on into the Greater Columbus Convention Center shortly after losing control of his brakes. The accident sent the car airborne and caused approximately $300,000 worth of damage. The shocking incident was caught on CCTV and can be seen below.
Watch the video below:
Tesla Recalls Over 100,000 Vehicles
In addition to these high-profile accidents, Tesla also received negative press after announcing it would be recalling over 100,000 China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles due to overheating concerns. Being a high-profile company with a celebrity public figure at its helm, any news involving Tesla’s vehicles will undoubtedly come under scrutiny. Being a high-profile corporation can potentially skew perceptions about the company’s overall safety record. However, with the surge of autonomous vehicles operating on the road, it’s important to alleviate any potential concerns. It’s also essential to determine if the cause was due to driver error, vehicle malfunction, or something else.
Conclusion
Autonomous driving technology is here to stay, so familiarity with these systems and adequately addressing safety issues will ultimately encourage broader public adoption and reduce consumer hesitancy, which is said to be high.
If you or a family member have been injured or suffered a loss due to a vehicle accident, contact our Nashville-based office at 615-244-2111 for a free and confidential consultation, and we will assist you with your case. Our law firm works on a contingency basis. Unless we reach a settlement or jury verdict award on your behalf, there is no fee.
Stay safe out there.
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