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Automatic Tesla braking may be at fault in accidents

More than 750 owners of Tessla vehicles nationwide have complained to U.S. safety officials about their cars braking for no reason when they have had the vehicle’s automatic driving system engaged. If you own a Tesla in Georgia and have experienced an accident because of such a mishap, you may be able to file a product liability claim.

Probe into Tesla vehicles began in early 2021

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed the contents of a May 4 letter that asked Tesla for all consumer and field reports about false braking involving its vehicles plus crashes, property damage, injuries and deaths. The letter also asks whether the manufacturer’s “Full Self Diving” and automatic braking systems were operational when incidents occurred.

NHTSA began investigating product liability claims of phantom braking in Tesla’s Models 3 and Y in February 2021 after receiving 354 complaints. The investigation looked into approximately 416,000 Tesla vehicles from the 2021 and 2022 model years. The complaints have indicated that rapid deceleration often occurs without warning. Owners have also indicated that they are worried about suffering rear-end collisions, especially on a freeway, when this problem occurs.

Tesla’s automated system also comes under scrutiny for detecting s-shaped curves, oncoming and cross-traffic and seeing metal bridges and different sized vehicles, including large trucks. NHTSA also seeks information on how the vehicles’ cameras deal with reflections, shadows, glare and blockage.

How will my injuries be classified?

If you are injured in an accident involving a self-driving Tesla that has suddenly stopped, you may wonder how your case will proceed. Is it a product liability or a personal injury claim? No matter what classification a Tesla case falls under, if you and your family members were injured in a vehicle involving a Tesla vehicle that did not perform properly, you may be able to file a claim for compensation for your injuries.

Conversely, you may be exonerated if you are charged with negligence in a claim where your Tesla caused an accident. Providing evidence that your vehicle stopped because it was defective may affect the outcome of your case.