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Tesla Could Be Facing More Wrongful Death Lawsuits

On Behalf of | Aug 15, 2019 | Wrongful Death

As the technology in vehicles enhances, we have to wonder if sometimes we aren’t the guinea pigs of automakers’ new improvements. While we hope you or your loved ones never need a California wrongful death lawyer, the team at Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation is ready to step in on your behalf. Today, we want to talk about a case against the automaker Tesla out of Florida that could have implications across the US, including here in California.

What Is Going On With These Teslas?

Today, we want to bring you a story coming out of Florida, but one that links back to our state. We have learned that the family of a Florida man who died when his Tesla collided with a semi-truck has filed a lawsuit against the automaker. They allege that their “defective” autopilot system was at fault in the crash.

An attorney for Jeremy Banner’s family filed the lawsuit in Palm Beach County. Banner died on March 1, 2019, when his 2018 Tesla Model S slammed into a semi-truck that crossed his path on a Florida highway. This was considered an underride truck accident that sheared the roof of the Tesla off. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says that Tesla’s autopilot had been on for 10 seconds before the crash occurred. The vehicle was traveling at around 68 mph at the time of the incident.

The lawsuit referred to a similar accident in 2016 that involved Tesla’s autopilot system on the same highway and also involving a semi-truck.

How Does This Link To California?

These incidents have also happened here in California. On January 22, 2019, a Tesla collided with a fire truck in Culver City, Los Angeles. There was also a crash on March 23, 2018, that involved two cars in Mountainview, California.

The lawsuit mentioned above says that Tesla “specifically knew that its product was defective and would not properly and safely avoid impacting other vehicles and obstacles in its path.”

Tesla says that autopilot mode is safe when used properly and that drivers must be prepared to take control of the vehicle at all times.

We Are Ready To Help You Through This

If you have lost a loved one due to a defective product, you need to secure legal assistance as soon as possible. At Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation, we know that defective products are everywhere. Above, we see these cases developing against automaker Tesla. We also know that many recalls take place each year in the US. Our team will get to work on your case so we can secure the compensation you deserve if you’ve lost a loved one. This can include:

  • 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 attorney, you can reach out to us on our website by clicking here or calling us at 818-783-5757.

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