The family of a US motorcyclist killed in a collision with a Model 3 is suing Tesla, claiming the automaker’s driver-assistance technologies are “flawed and inadequate”, a new case that comes at the worst possible time for the brand as its problems mount.
Accident at 130 km/h on Autopilot
The tragedy occurred in 2022 in Utah. Landon Embry, 34, was riding his motorcycle when a Tesla Model 3 traveling between 120 and 130 km/h violently hit him from behind. The Autopilot was engaged at the time of the impact.
The victim’s parents filed a lawsuit last week, blaming the driver and Tesla’s safety systems. They said the Autopilot’s sensors and cameras “should have identified the danger posed by the motorcycle.”
They also claim that the driver of the Model 3 was tired and not in a condition to drive. They write in the complaint:
A reasonably careful driver, or an adequate automatic braking system, could have slowed or stopped without colliding with the motorcycle.
Tesla faces avalanche of lawsuits
Tesla declined to comment on the case, a new blow as its driver assistance technologies are under scrutiny by authorities. Autopilot and the FSD (Full Self-Driving) system have been linked to more than 200 accidents and 29 deaths according to the American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The automaker has been hit with numerous lawsuits over the issue. In April, it had to pay compensation to the family of an Apple engineer killed in an accident involving Autopilot. But Tesla has also won several lawsuits by blaming human error.
California authorities are investigating possible misleading advertising regarding these technologies. The Justice Department has also opened an investigation into claims made by Elon Musk, who has been promising for years the imminent arrival of 100% autonomous driving. A promise never kept, while current systems require constant supervision of the driver. The motorcyclist killed in Utah had a tragic experience of this. His family hopes to convict Tesla for its “serious failings”, but the legal battle promises to be long and uncertain.
While Tesla has often blamed drivers for these types of accidents, arguing that they must remain vigilant at all times, the increase in tragedies raises questions about the real maturity of Autopilot. Despite these repeated controversies, Tesla remains the most advanced manufacturer in autonomous driving. But to convince the general public, it will have to prove that its systems are safe enough to avoid these types of tragedies.