NHTSA to Investigate Yet Another Tesla Crash in California

Learn more about the potential legal consequences behind a recent fatal car crash that the NHTSA is investigating involving a Tesla Model 3 allegedly suffering an Autopilot malfunction.
Written by Jason Crosby
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Tesla
just can’t seem to keep its name out of the headlines when it comes to car crashes. Another deadly accident has occurred, this time in California. It’s the latest, and likely not the last fatal accident involving a Tesla. But whether the results of this investigation will turn out to be detrimental for Tesla is yet to be seen. 
We wish you nothing but safe driving while you’re on the road, but if a car accident does happen, you want to make sure you have
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What happened in this latest Tesla car crash?

TechCrunch
reports that the NHTSA is investigating a Tesla crash involving a 2018 Tesla Model 3, which unfortunately managed to strike and kill a pedestrian. It’s part of a specific set of cases that the NHTSA is looking at involving driver-assisted technology.
Tesla’s Autopilot mode has become the subject of intense federal scrutiny, as multiple fatalities and videos of irresponsible use have surfaced since the software upgrade debuted. 
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Is the NHTSA unfairly singling out Tesla?

Though it may seem like most of the NHTSA’s stories involve Tesla’s vehicles, it’s not without reason. It’s also important to remember that Tesla has been notably reluctant to cooperate in most investigations involving their vehicles, which hasn’t improved relations with federal agencies. Out of the 45 open automated driving cases, 36 involve a Tesla vehicle, and 11 of these crashes resulted in 15 fatalities—a concerning number. 

The NHTSA isn’t backing down on investigating Tesla

This recently announced investigation may just be the tip of the iceberg, as new reports of Tesla vehicles crashing into first-responders on the roadways have also surfaced. So far, 11 of these crashes have been reported, all involving an alleged malfunction or driver error related to Tesla’s Autopilot mode. 
If the NHTSA finds sufficient evidence that Tesla’s Autopilot mode is unsafe to use on the roadways, they could issue a recall. 
This recall would affect some 830,000 Tesla vehicles, a massive recall by all accounts. 
MORE: Beware of Misleading Data Around Driver-Assist-Related Crashes 

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