The families of three individuals killed in a September 2024 Tesla Model S crash in New Jersey have filed a lawsuit against Tesla Inc, alleging that the vehicle’s Autopilot system was defective and unreasonably dangerous, leading to the fatal accident.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey by the estates of David Dryerman, his wife Michele Dryerman, and their daughter Brooke Dryerman. The family was returning from a music festival when their Model S left its lane and struck a concrete bridge support. All three were reportedly wearing seatbelts at the time.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs claim the car’s Autopilot feature failed to detect and avoid the hazard, and that the emergency braking system did not engage. The filing also cites a lack of sufficient warnings about the limitations of Tesla’s driver-assistance system.
“Thousands of Tesla drivers have relied on Tesla’s ADAS technology as though it were capable of safe, fully autonomous self-driving with minor software updates when in fact it is incapable of safely handling a variety of routine roadway scenarios without driver input,” the lawsuit states.
The suit references a 2016 statement by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who said the company’s Autopilot was “probably better” than a human driver, alleging this contributed to a misleading perception of the technology’s capabilities.
While the plaintiffs have not specified the amount in compensatory or punitive damages sought, the case adds to a growing number of legal challenges Tesla faces over the safety of its advanced driver-assistance systems. Tesla has maintained that Autopilot is not fully autonomous and that drivers must remain attentive and keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times when it is engaged.
Source: Reuters