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Tesla Autopilot Was Engaged When Vehicle Struck Fire Truck

On Behalf of | Sep 17, 2019 | Wrongful Death

Having to worry about whether or not a product we buy will cause us or our families harm is the stuff of nightmares. Consumers are almost always caught off guard by a defective product. The California wrongful death attorneys at Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation are always ready to help families of those who have been killed due to defective products. Today, we want to talk about a case that has been in the news plenty over the last few years in which a Tesla slammed into the back of a firetruck.

Autopilot Is Back In The News

If you have watched the news recently, you may have seen multiple stories about Tesla’s autopilot. It has shown up in recent wrongful death cases that have been filed. It has also made the news concerning drivers falling asleep behind the wheel of their vehicle while moving down the highway.

A government report about a Tesla slamming into the back of a fire truck in Culver City was just released. The incident happened last year on the 405 Freeway, and the driver of the Tesla was using the Autopilot system. A vehicle in front of him suddenly changed lanes, and he did not have time to react to the parked firetruck.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said that the driver did not see the parked firetruck and did not brake the vehicle. The NTSB says that the man’s Tesla also failed to break.

This report is interesting because it calls into question the effectiveness of Tesla’s Autopilot system. However, Tesla has specifically warned drivers that their system is not fully autonomous. The company says that drivers who use Autopilot must be ready to intervene at all times.

In this case, the driver of the Tesla lived. However, two other similar crashes in Florida and Silicon Valley saw different results. Both drivers in those cases died.

Wrongful Death Cases Are Complex

Wrongful death cases can be brought by surviving family members of those who have been killed due to the careless, negligent, or intentional actions of another individual, company, or entity. We commonly see them as a result of:

  • Car accidents
  • Commercial truck accidents
  • Defective products
  • Medical malpractice
  • Birth injuries
  • Premises liability injuries
  • Workplace incidents
  • Construction accidents
  • Boating incidents, and more

Let Us Help You Through This Today

If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person, company, or entity, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation, our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to get to work on your behalf. We want to secure the compensation your family needs, including:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Cost of pre-death medical care
  • Loss of future income and benefits of the deceased
  • Mental anguish damages
  • Loss of consortium or companionship damages
  • Punitive damages against those responsible

When you need a California wrongful death lawyer, you can reach out to us on our website by clicking here or calling us at 818-783-5757.

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