The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has added another fatality involving a Tesla to the list of crashes it is investigating because of the use of partially automated driving systems. According to a CNBC news report, a special crash investigation team was sent out to a July 26 crash on the Long Island Expressway in New York in which a Tesla Model Y SUV fatally injured a man. Investigating agents have now been sent to 10 fatal crashes featuring similar circumstances, nine involving Tesla vehicles.
Details of the New Investigation
The New York crash is on an updated list of those under investigation by NHTSA that was released on Sept. 3. The New York Police Department said that a 52-year-old was hit by a Tesla and killed while changing a flat tire on his vehicle, which was parked on the left shoulder of the Long Island Expressway in Queens. The Tesla driver remained at the scene. The victim was identified as Jean Louis of Cambria Heights, New York.
This fatal incident was revealed about three weeks after NHTSA opened up a formal investigation into Tesla’s partially automated driving system or Autopilot and how it has been involved in crashes involving parked emergency vehicles. The investigation comes as NHTSA has become more aggressive in looking at these automated driving systems since President Joe Biden took office. For years, NHTSA has hesitated to regulate the systems, which are believed to have tremendous potential to save lives.
As more reports of crashes started involving its Autopilot, Tesla has been saying that drivers must never take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road and must be ready to intervene at any moment – even if the Autopilot feature is engaged. Tesla has been criticized by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other safety advocates who say it needs a stronger system to watch drivers, making sure they are paying attention.
Auto Product Liability Issues
Our auto defect lawyers have raised concerns, particularly about Tesla’s Autopilot, which has a misleading name and has repeatedly been abused by drivers on our freeways in Southern California and elsewhere.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a malfunctioning Autopilot system, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to help you better understand your legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/03/feds-probe-new-york-tesla-crash-that-killed-man-changing-flat-tire-.html
