Tesla Lawsuits
Tesla is facing its second lawsuit in a week over a fatal Cybertruck accident in California. The parents of the deceased teenagers claim that the company ignored safety flaws that trapped the victims in the burning vehicle. The lawsuits allege that the hidden door opening mechanism made escape impossible during the post-crash fire.
NHTSA Investigation and Accident Details
Tesla is under increased scrutiny after another alarming incident with its vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating owner complaints that the electric door handles can fail, preventing entry or exit from the car. Tesla is now being sued by the parents of two teenagers who died in a Cybertruck accident last November. The lawsuits claim that safety issues with the pickup’s electric door handles prevented the teenagers from escaping.
The fatal accident occurred in the early hours of November 27 in Piedmont, California. Four teenagers were in the Tesla when it crashed into a concrete wall and became wedged between it and a large tree. Moments later, the car burst into flames, killing three of the four passengers, all of whom were 2023 graduates of Piedmont High School.
Expanding Legal Battle
Karl and Noelle Tsukahara, the parents of 18-year-old Krista Tsukahara, recently added Tesla to a previously filed lawsuit, initially filed against the estate of the 19-year-old driver, Soren Dixon, and the car’s owner. The parents of 20-year-old Jack Nelson, another victim of the crash, have also filed a separate lawsuit against the company.
Door Power Issues
As noted in the lawsuits, the Cybertruck’s door handles operate on a 12-volt battery, and if the car loses power after a crash, the electronic door mechanism will fail. The electric vehicle has mechanical door releases in the front and rear, but they can be difficult to locate. This is especially true for the second row, where the mechanical cable is hidden under a rubber mat at the bottom of the door well.
Tragedy and Testimony
The Tsukaharas’ lawsuit alleges that their daughter survived the impact and was conscious. However, she was unable to escape from the Tesla’s second row and died from smoke inhalation and burns. It is claimed that Tesla has long been aware of safety issues with its electric door handles.
These are not new concepts or ideas, and this is something vehicle designers must consider. This could have been prevented if a vehicle occupant died who otherwise could have exited the car if its doors were functional, or been rescued.
Both lawsuits are seeking unspecified punitive damages from Tesla. The Tsukahara family’s attorney believes he has a very strong case against the electric vehicle manufacturer.
They will want to blame Mr. Dixon, anyone but themselves, but this car absolutely should not have buried these people and my clients’ daughter. This is our way of holding the guilty accountable and correcting bad behavior.
These events highlight broader issues in the automotive industry related to the integration of advanced technologies without safety compromises. Electric door systems, while convenient, can create critical risks in emergency situations, especially when traditional access mechanisms become unavailable. The Cybertruck incident may trigger a reassessment of regulatory requirements for emergency access in modern vehicles, impacting future designs and safety standards.