Tesla has been in the news a lot recently, but not all that news is positive. Some of the most unsettling articles published about the electric car company have pointed to electrical fires, explosions, and more than one occasion of spontaneous combustion.
Battery Fires
Although any car has a risk of catching fire, especially during a crash, fully electric vehicles are of special concern because of their batteries. According to Tesla’s Emergency Response Guide, a battery fire can take up to 24 hours to extinguish. While this presents a challenge to authorities, it can also present a hazard to other drivers on the road, especially in the case of explosions.
Explosions
In addition to a parking garage explosion in Shanghai that burnt out 3 cars, Teslas have exploded on busy highways, thus endangering those around them. In the Moscow highway incident, the car accident itself was not particularly severe, but the car exploded…twice. The parking garage mishap is even more alarming because the fire seemed to incite without any rhyme or reason. Fortunately, the drivers of the Tesla and the cars it destroyed were not in their vehicles.
Spontaneous Combustion
In a case out of California, the driver was not lucky enough to be outside of his Tesla when it caught fire. While driving in Santa Monica traffic, a man was flagged down by a couple and told to pull over. To his horror, his vehicle was on fire. Even though he was able to safely get out, his car was left on the side of the road with flames and smoke overtaking the underside. His wife posted a video of the damage to Twitter and included a caption saying the accident occurred “out of the blue” and “thank god my three little girls weren’t in the car with him.” If anyone was injured in this particular crash, Tesla could likely be found liable. This is because of product liability laws.
Product Liability
Across Florida and the United States, manufacturers and distributors of products must ensure that their products are safe and fairly marketed. Tesla is already under scrutiny for its marketing practices, but these highly-publicized fires could suggest that their products are more dangerous than CEO Elon Musk lets on. If you have been hurt by a Tesla fire or other automobile defect, our product liability attorneys may be able to help. At Frohlich, Gordon & Beason, P.A., we have a legacy of hard work and results and are confident in our ability to handle complex cases. Tell us your story today by calling (941) 979-9010 or requesting a free consultation online.