A Utah driver has filed a lawsuit against Tesla after crashing into a fire truck at a red light while using Autopilot mode in her Model S. Heather Lommatzsch’s lawsuit claims that the salespeople told her the car would stop on its own in Autopilot mode if something were in its path.
The suit further alleges that when she tried to apply the brakes when she saw the stopped cars the car’s brakes failed. She is seeking at least $300,000 in damages to cover her medical bills, in addition to compensation for damages after her physical injuries, deprived her of being able to enjoy life.
The May 11 accident, left Lommatzsch with a broken foot. Also, police cited her with a misdemeanor traffic violation for failure to keep a proper lookout. The fire truck’s driver suffered injuries but was not injured enough to require hospitalization.
Tesla spokesman Dave Arnold released a statement in response to the lawsuit. He states that the “company has always been clear that Autopilot doesn’t make the vehicle impervious to all accidents.”
“When using Autopilot, drivers are continuously reminded of their responsibility to keep their hands on the wheel and maintain control of the vehicle at all times,” Arnold said.
Tesla’s defense
Tesla stresses that Lommatzsch was cited because she was looking at her phone before the crash. Data obtained from her car shows that she did not touch the steering wheel for 80 seconds before the crash.
The data shows that her car picked up speed about 3.5 seconds before crashing into the fire truck. Unfortunately, she did not apply the brakes until a fraction of a second before the impact.
The Carlson Law Firm Can Help Victims of Autopilot Vehicle Crashes
The Utah crash is just one of several Tesla accidents that have put the spotlight on Autopilot. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an Autopilot vehicle crash, contact the Carlson Law Firm. We can help you determine the best course of action. Our firm will help you prove the negligence of an at-fault party.
Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an Autopilot vehicle crash attorney.
