New York Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Tesla is under renewed federal scrutiny following reports that some vehicles equipped with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system may run red lights, veer into oncoming lanes, or even stall on railroad tracks. While this probe is unfolding, it raises urgent questions for drivers, potential victims, and anyone who may be harmed by such system failures.
At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we follow developments like these closely because they can affect real people’s lives. With almost 40 years’ experience handling serious personal injury, motor vehicle, and wrongful‐death claims, we help people understand the legal options when technology fails. If you have been injured in a Tesla collision or any car crash, you can always schedule a free consultation with our team to review what your options might be.
What’s Behind the Federal Investigation?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an inquiry into millions of Tesla cars that use FSD. This investigation is centered on how the system handles critical driving tasks, such as stopping at red lights, interpreting lane markings, responding to wrong‐way signs, and navigating railroad crossings. Reports already point to dozens of incidents that may involve FSD errors, including collisions and injuries. So far, no deaths have been reported due to FSD technology specifically.
Complicating matters is that Tesla, despite marketing FSD as an advanced driver‐assist feature, still states that drivers retain ultimate responsibility. The central question now is whether those features function reliably, whether drivers were given enough warning or control over system decisions, and whether Tesla met its duty to ensure safe operation.
From a legal perspective, this investigation could lead to accountability for accidents that might otherwise be dismissed as system “limitations.”
When Advanced Tech Meets Injury
If an FSD system malfunctions and a crash results, the consequences can be devastating. Some likely scenarios, based on reports so far:
- A vehicle may run through a red light without warning.
- The system may unintentionally steer into oncoming traffic.
- A vehicle may stall or fail to clear railroad tracks.
- Sudden, unexpected behavior may give the driver too little time to react.
Tesla has stated that, despite the name, its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system does not make vehicles completely autonomous. The company has also stated that it is working to address the known issues.
This highlights some of the challenges of filing a claim against Tesla after a car accident involving one of its cars, even though many of the company’s vehicles have been investigated following injuries and fatalities. In the past, Tesla has blamed crashes involving its cars on “reckless” drivers, and laws concerning semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles are still catching up. Relative to other causes of accidents, there are fewer claims involving autonomous and semi-autonomous driving technology, so precedent has not been established for many types of accidents involving this technology. Interpreting old tort laws around new tech can also be challenging, which can make it harder to establish liability in these cases.
Another challenge for any plaintiff who has been injured by a Tesla is the complex technical evidence in these cases. Tesla also maintains strict control over its data, which can make establishing fault challenging. Tesla has in some cases tried to withhold data, arguing that releasing some information or agreeing to large settlements could stifle innovation.
Despite these challenges, there have been successful claims made against the company and multiple recalls. Almost 175,000 of 2021 Model Y Tesla SUVs are being investigated. The NHTSA is also investigating the “Actually Smart Summon,” following reports of collisions. This year, Tesla has recalled 376,000 Model 3 and Model Y cars and most Cybertrucks.
Previously, there have been multiple personal injury claims and wrongful death claims linked to Tesla’s Autopilot feature. In these cases, plaintiffs have argued that the feature failed to work correctly, causing injuries to Tesla owners, other motorists, and pedestrians. Tesla has also faced claims from its own workers after workplace injuries occurred at the carmaker’s plants.
What To Do if You’re Involved in One of These Crashes or Investigations
If you or a loved one are involved in a crash, especially one involving advanced driver assistance or autonomous features, here are immediate steps to take:
- Seek medical care right away, even if injuries seem minor.
- If you can, take photos, note vehicle configurations, get contact and insurance information from all parties, and preserve witness names.
- Request vehicle records if possible, including systems, logs, and software versions, especially in tech-integrated vehicles.
- Contact a lawyer promptly before speaking in depth with the insurance companies or relying solely on their adjuster.
- Preserve electronic evidence, if your own self-driving car was involved.
At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we can engage accident reconstruction experts, forensic engineers, and software experts to untangle how and why a crash happened.
Why Trust The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel to Represent You?
Crashes involving autonomous vehicles are more complex because of the systems involved. In addition, large corporations such as Tesla often try to shift the blame to drivers and owners of their cars. This company (and other EV manufacturers) have deep pockets and talented teams protecting their interests, which makes it harder for plaintiffs to fight back, unless they are working with skilled lawyers.
When you work with The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, you can take advantage of our:
- Nearly 40 years of experience in complex personal injury, vehicle, and criminal defense matters.
- Successful verdicts and settlements.
- Deep commitment to client relationships and clear communication.
- Rapid responsiveness.
- Our network of expert witnesses and professionals, who help us build strong cases.
The Tesla FSD investigation underscores an accelerating reality: collisions aren’t always caused by human error alone. As technology evolves, liability becomes more complex. But the core legal principles remain. When safety systems fail, victims may be entitled to compensation, but they may need a skilled attorney to secure that compensation.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, schedule a free consultation with The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel today. We can address your questions and start exploring what options you may have for compensation.