Tesla Sued Over Autopilot Technology in Fatal Crash
The family of a driver who died in a 2023 collision is suing Tesla, claiming that the company’s “fraudulent misrepresentation” of its Autopilot technology was to blame. The incident occurred in Walnut Creek, California, when a Tesla Model S sedan, driven by Genesis Giovanni Mendoza-Martinez, crashed into a parked fire truck while the Autopilot system was engaged. Mendoza-Martinez died in the crash, and his brother, Caleb, was seriously injured.
The Mendoza family filed the lawsuit in October in Contra Costa County, but Tesla had the case moved to federal court in California’s Northern District. The plaintiffs face a higher burden of proof in federal court for fraud claims.
The lawsuit alleges that Tesla and CEO Elon Musk have exaggerated or made false claims about the Autopilot system for years to generate excitement about the company’s vehicles and improve its financial condition. The family’s attorneys point to tweets, company blog posts, and remarks on earnings calls and in press interviews.
Tesla’s attorneys argue that the driver’s own negligent acts and/or omissions were to blame for the collision, and that reliance on any representation made by Tesla was not a substantial factor in causing harm to the driver or passenger. They claim that Tesla’s cars and systems have a “reasonably safe design,” in compliance with state and federal laws.
This is not the first lawsuit filed against Tesla over its Autopilot technology. There are at least 15 other active cases focused on similar claims involving Tesla incidents where Autopilot or its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system had been in use just before a fatal or injurious crash. Three of those cases have been moved to federal courts.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also launched an investigation into the Autopilot system, which has resulted in changes to the system through over-the-air software updates. NHTSA has also opened a second probe evaluating whether Tesla’s recall remedy to resolve issues with Autopilot around stationary first responder vehicles has been effective.
In addition, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has sued Tesla, alleging that its Autopilot and FSD claims amount to false advertising. Tesla is currently rolling out a new version of FSD to customers, and Musk has been promising investors that Tesla’s cars will soon be able to drive autonomously without a human at the wheel.
