$20M Lawsuit filed against Tesla after accident that injured 5 police officers

[TruckElectric]

Lawsuit filed against Tesla after accident that injured 5 police officers
Pappas Restaurants also named in lawsuit

A Tesla crashed as officers were on the scene of a traffic stop in Splendora in February 2021. (KPRC 2 / Click2Houston.com)

Tesla and Pappas Restaurants have been named in a lawsuit filed seven months after an accident that injured five police officers in Splendora, Montgomery County.

The Buzbee Law Firm and Muery & Farrell PC filed the suit which alleges Tesla has not done enough to address issues with the automaker’s Autopilot system.

According to the lawsuit, on Feb. 27, 2021, a Tesla Model X - with Autopilot engaged - crashed into several police officers who were involved in a traffic stop on the Eastex Freeway near East River Road. The suit claims all the officers were badly injured.

The lawsuit continues on to state the following: “Due to the design and manufacturing defects known to Tesla, Tesla’s failure to adequately warn of those defects, and Tesla’s unwillingness to admit or correct such defects, the Autopilot and Tesla’s system safety features failed to detect the officers’ cars or to function in any way to avoid or warn of the hazard and subsequent crash.”


The officers are seeking damages for injuries and permanent disabilities. The lawsuit lists damages in excess of $1,000,000, with maximum damages of $20,000,000.

According to the suit: “The officers want to hold Tesla accountable, and force Tesla to publicly acknowledge and immediately correct the known defects inherent in its Autopilot and collision avoidance systems, particularly as those impact the ongoing safety of our nation’s first responders.”

The lawsuit claims Tesla’s autopilot system has been linked to at least 12 crashes in the United States involving first responders working active scenes with flashing lights.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21069638-lawsuit-filed-against-tesla-and-pappas-restaurants

The other defendant - Pappas Restaurants
The lawsuit against Tesla also lists Pappas Restaurants as a defendant, claiming the driver of the Tesla was overserved alcohol at a Pappasito’s Cantina prior to the accident. According to the suit, the police report from the night of the accident indicates the driver was arrested on suspicion of intoxication assault.


https://www.click2houston.com/news/...fter-accident-that-injured-5-police-officers/

 

[Cybertaxi]

Drunk driving incident, law suit is DOA

 

[Crissa]

Yeah, there's no way that in corporate-friendly, anti-tort Texas that suit is going anywhere.

-Crissa

 

[SSonnentag]

Just another fraudulent lawsuit. They're suing the wrong entity.

 

[m.delmed129]

I’m genuinely curious in each of these scenarios, whether or not Autopilot was actually engaged, and how it’s verified after the fact.

I do wonder how many people have gotten comfortable driving their Tesla in true Autopilot mode, that they may only use TACC, and wrongfully ignore they aren’t using Autopilot.

I will admit to being an irresponsible driver in this regard, in the past. Autopilot gives a false sense of autonomy, in that, even when I’ve put it into TACC, willingly, I forget that I didn’t choose Autopilot, and don’t recognize it until I’m drifting toward a lane line. This has happened twice to me, and after this it was a wake up call to not let myself be ignorant to which feature I’m using..and giving 100% of my attention to the task at hand..driving.

Don’t need a lecture on my past irresponsibility, I’m aware. I’m putting this out there for those that either have been lulled into this false sense of security themselves, and add some extra context to what may actually be happening here, in some of these cases.

I fortunately did not consume alcohol before these events, and can only imagine how the negative outcome or lack of recollection later could be affected with those variables.

 

[Ogre]

I’m genuinely curious in each of these scenarios, whether or not Autopilot was actually engaged, and how it’s verified after the fact.

Your Tesla keeps track of this stuff. I'm not sure if it signals back to the mothership or they subpoena the black box.

I forget that I didn’t choose Autopilot, and don’t recognize it until I’m drifting toward a lane line.

I don't forget, but I have had a few times where I thought it was engaged and it was just TACC.

 

[Bigvbear]

Feel sorry for the guys, but I bet they would not be suing Ford if it had been an Explorer. Autopilot isn't designed to be the designated driver.

 

[John K]

They are suing deep pockets in hopes the jury disregards laws to award a payout. Since, deep pockets will not feel the sting.

This is autopilot and not FSD. a glorified cruise control with the same precaution requirements.

If Autopilot made an abrupt right turn into the officers , there could be an argument for culpability.

 

[TruckElectric]

Yeah, there's no way that in corporate-friendly, anti-tort Texas that suit is going anywhere.

-Crissa

I wouldn't be so sure, especially if the trial is in Houston.

 

[Crissa]

I wouldn't be so sure, especially if the trial is in Houston.

They'd have to file it in federal district, I think, since Tesla isn't incorporated in Texas at the time of the transaction.

I don't actually know because the lawyers literally left that part blank.

-Crissa

 

[Quicksilver]

You can bet that the ambulance chasers were passing out cards in the Emergency Room.
There would be a lot less of these lawsuits if the plaintiffs had to pay the legal costs of the defendants if they lost.
95 percent of all trial lawyers make the other 5 percent look bad.

 

[jerhenderson]

Drunk driving incident, law suit is DOA

The suit cites defects - as there are none its also toast on that basis.

 

[jerhenderson]

Just another fraudulent lawsuit. They're suing the wrong entity.

Saul Goodman at work

 

[John K]

In a liability lawsuit, you name everyone breathing that day.

 

[Kevinb2]

"Tesla autopilot is all at fault! Oh yeah, and the restaurant that I ordered to-go alcohol from." - Drunk Driver