According to a lawsuit recently filed in Florida, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla produces vehicles that are inherently dangerous to operate. A detailed article on the allegations contained within the suit—including defective product manufacturing and negligent service practices—can be found here.
On May 8th, 2018, the driver and one passenger were traveling on Seabreeze Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale when the 2014 Tesla S hit a wall at high speed. The vehicle then hit a lamp post on the opposite side of the road after rebounding from the wall. Per the complaint, the vehicle erupted in flames, killing both men inside. In the lawsuit, the attorney for the family claims that the car itself was unreasonably dangerous and defective. They claim the vehicle’s batteries were not adequately protected or shielded to prevent catching fire in a collision.
The Details
According to the lawsuit—filed by the family of the deceased passenger in the vehicle—the manufacturer was negligent when it removed an electronic speed limiter from the car. It also suggests the battery Tesla supplied with the vehicle was defective.
Lawyers for the plaintiff argue the Tesla S battery is prone to extremely intense fires—alleging at least a dozen Tesla S batteries have caught fire during collisions around the world. From 2006 through 2010, fire departments in the U.S. have responded to an estimated 152,300 car fires each year, according to a statement from the National Fire Protection Association.
Two months before the crash, the parents of the driver had Tesla install a speed limiter after their son received a speeding ticket in the vehicle. The device limited the vehicle to a top speed of 85 MPH. According to the complaint, a Tesla service center in Broward County removed the limiter without the permission or knowledge of the owner. The passenger’s parents suggest Tesla was negligent to do so.
About Product Safety
The Consumer Product Liability Act (CPSA)—enacted by Congress in 1972—serves as a basis for protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products. The CPSA also provides the Consumer Protection Safety Commission with the authority to pursue recalls and ban products if circumstances require.
We Can Help.
If you or someone you love has injured by a potentially defective or dangerous product, contact Daggett Shuler Law for help. An experienced Product Liability Attorney can handle your entire case and work to secure fair and just compensation for you.
If you have questions about a dangerous product, call Daggett Shuler at 800-815-5500. When you call, you will speak with a Winston-Salem, North Carolina Defective Product Accident Attorney absolutely FREE. We will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you—and fight hard to secure the compensation you deserve.
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