Washington- The U.S. announced the first fatality in a wreck involving a car in self-driving mode, the 40-year-old owner of a technology company who nicknamed his vehicle, “Tessy” and had praised its sophisticated “Autopilot” system just one month earlier for preventing a collision on an interstate. The government said it is investigating the design and performance of the system aboard the Tesla Model S sedan.
Joshua D. Brown, of Canton Ohio, died in the accident in Williston, Florida, when his car’s cameras failed to distinguish the white side of a turning tractor-trailer from a brightly lit sky and didn’t automatically activate its brakes, according to government records obtained Thursday. The driver died due to injuries sustained in the accident.
The system is designed to allow Teslas to cruise along highways without drivers having to steer, brake or accelerate. The car is supposed to stay in its lane and stop suddenly if traffic ahead comes to a halt.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary evaluation into the fatal crash of a Tesla electric car that had its “Autopilot” feature engaged at the time of the incident.
At Bishop Legal, we represent clients who have sustained serious injuries as the result of defective or unsafe products. These injuries may result from:
Defective motor vehicle parts. This may include tire blowouts, faulty brakes, seatbelts, and airbags.
Defective tools. This can include faulty saws, drills, routers, and other power tools.
Defective machinery. This includes defective conveyor belts, die casters, punch machines, and other machinery.
Defective construction equipment such as ladders, lifts, forklifts, scaffolds, and railings.
Defective household products such as child safety containers, unsafe toys, appliances, and other household items.
Design defects such as in construction, architecture, manufacturing, engineering, and infrastructure such as the design of roadways and highways.
We represent the seriously injured and in the most tragic of cases, we handle wrongful death. We offer personal, dedicated, and compassionate representation to injured victims. Our teams of experienced personal injury lawyers are committed to helping clients achieve the justice they deserve.
If you or a family member has been seriously injured as the result of a defective or unsafe product in Washington State, please contact us for a free consultation, 1-800-291-1821.
