Four friends died as they were trapped in a burning Tesla after it crashed and the car’s electronic door handles broke.
According to a report in The Daily Mail, a woman in her 20s was the only survivor of the fiery Oct. 24 crash after Rick Harper, a motorist who was passing by, smashed the window of the blazing Model Y with a metal pole. Four people, identified as 25-year-old Neeraj Gohil, his sister Ketaba Gohil, 29, Jay Sisodia, and Digvijay Patil, all perished in the tragic crash.
Harper told the Toronto Star that the surviving woman could not open the doors from inside. The crash occurred in Toronto when the driver of the Tesla lost control, crashed into a guardrail and struck a concrete pillar. The vehicle caught fire on impact. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of these deceased victims as well as the surviving victim. We hold them in our prayers.
Concern About Tesla Door Design
According to Canada’s CTV news, Harper who bravely rescued the sole survivor of the crash, said he could not open the car from outside and had to break a window to help get the woman out. This incident raises the question about the safety of electric vehicles in emergencies.
Doors need power to open and if the battery dies, the doors can lock up. In a similar crash in Wisconsin last month, five people were killed when a Tesla crashed into a tree and caught fire. Electric vehicles have a latch inside the car that can manually open doors.
There is typically one on the driver’s side and sometimes one in the car’s back seat. However, most owners may not know about the presence of these latches.
However, in many situations, those in the vehicle cannot access the latch either because they don’t know about its existence or simply because they cannot access it due to location, incapacitation, or disorientation.
CTV also noted the example of a man trapped in his Tesla during floods in Toronto in July. He was eventually able to pry a window open and crawl out. He said it felt like he was in a “horror movie” because the doors were stuck and he couldn’t open the car.
A Florida family has sued Tesla because of its doors, claiming they are to blame for the death of Omar Awan in 2019. First responders tried to get Awan out of the vehicle but couldn’t open the doors.
The medical examiner determined that Awan died from burns and inhaling toxic fumes, not from the impact of the crash. In court filings, however, Tesla denied allegations that the car was “state of the art” and made to industry standards.
Tesla Doors: Defective Design Raise Serious Concerns
The design of Tesla doors has been discussed, especially in the context of accidents and emergencies.
While Tesla’s door mechanisms emphasize aesthetics and advanced technology, including flush-mounted handles and electronic latches, they have raised safety concerns in several crash scenarios. Below are key issues associated with Tesla door designs that could trap occupants during crashes:
Tesla’s dependence on electronic systems
Tesla doors rely heavily on electronic components to operate. Electrical systems that control the handles, latches, and opening mechanisms may stop working if there is a power outage. So, a loss of battery power may render the electronic door mechanisms unusable. Also, damage to the electrical system during a crash may prevent the doors from being unlocked or opened.
Tesla’s flush-mounted door handles
Tesla’s flush-mounted door handles contribute to its minimalist design but can complicate emergency egress. First responders struggle to locate or operate these handles in emergencies, especially if unfamiliar with Tesla’s design. The handles retract into the car’s body when the vehicle is locked, and if the electronic system fails, they may not deploy.
Tesla emergency door release mechanisms
While Tesla vehicles have mechanical emergency door release mechanisms, they can be hard to locate. The emergency releases are often located in non-intuitive positions, such as at the base of the window or near the footwell. Occupants unfamiliar with Tesla vehicles may not know how to operate the manual release, especially under stress.
Structural issues with Tesla Cars
Tesla’s engineering includes strong, rigid body designs for safety, but this can sometimes hinder access to first responders. The aluminum and reinforced steel construction can make it harder for emergency personnel to cut through the doors with standard tools. Also, if the car sustains severe damage, the doors may jam rendering mechanical and electronic releases ineffective.
If You’ve Been Injured Due to Defective Vehicle Design
If you have been injured due to defective vehicle design, you may have the right to seek compensation by filing a product liability claim. Manufacturers have a legal duty to design and produce reasonably safe vehicles for consumers. When a design defect compromises safety and causes injury, the manufacturer or other parties in the production chain may be liable.
Here are some steps you can take:
Seek medical attention. Your health and safety come first. Obtain immediate medical care and keep all records of your treatment, as they will be essential for your claim.
Preserve all evidence. Do not repair the vehicle after the accident. Take photographs of the damage, defective components, and the accident scene.
Identify the defect. Some common design defects include:
- Faulty door mechanisms that trap occupants during crashes.
- Unstable vehicle frames are prone to rollovers.
- Poorly designed airbags that fail to deploy or deploy improperly.
- Defective brakes or steering systems.
Product liability cases can be complex, requiring technical and legal knowledge. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you evaluate your claim, identify responsible parties, and navigate the legal process.
You may be able to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and, in some cases, punitive damages. Families that have lost loved ones may be able to seek compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
The auto defect attorneys at Bisnar Chase are actively working on serious injury cases involving malfunctioning Tesla doors. We are committed to getting justice for those who have been injured or have lost loved ones as a result of design defects that could have been prevented and should absolutely be corrected.
Sources: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14069607/friends-burned-death-trapped-inside-tesla-electronic-doors-failed.html
https://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/you-couldn-t-open-the-door-concerns-over-awareness-of-and-access-to-tesla-emergency-latch-after-4-killed-in-toronto-5-killed-in-wisconsin-1.7108463
