NHTSA’s Special Crash Investigation Program is Looking into the December 29, 2019 Tesla Accidents
Car accidents can be tragic, leading to injury and at times death. Victims of Tesla accidents are advised to retain legal representation. Contact a car accident attorney today if you or loved one has been involved in a Tesla accident.
In December, 2019, a Tesla accident in Putnam County’s Interstate-70 led to the death of a 23-year old female. Jenna N. Monet from Prescott Valley, AZ was in a 2019 Tesla Model 3, as a passenger, when it collided with a stationary fire truck. Jenna and her husband, Derrick N. Monet sustained severe injuries and were transferred to Terre Haute Regional Hospital. Unfortunately, Jenna succumbed to her injuries and died at the hospital. None of the firefighters in the parked truck were injured in the accident.
By January 9, 2020, the Indiana State Police hadn’t yet determined whether the Tesla’s Autopilot function was on at the time of the crash. The Autopilot enables the vehicle to steer, brake and increase speed automatically. According to Tesla, the Autopilot feature doesn’t make the car autonomous.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s special accident investigation program plans to launch a collision scene and car inspection of the accident. The program looks into special real-world accidents anywhere in the US. Additionally, it performs in-depth assessments of emerging technologies.
The Special Crash Investigation Program is investigating another December 29 accident between a Tesla Model S sedan and a Honda Civic. It’s believed the Tesla steered off a Gardena, CA freeway and hit a Honda Civic, leading to the deaths of two people. The authorities have not yet been able to determine whether the Tesla’s Autopilot system was active during the crash.
NHTSA is also investigating another December 7 crash involving a Tesla Model 3 and a police car. The Tesla hit the police vehicle, but fortunately, nobody sustained any injuries. The driver of the Tesla said that Autopilot was active at the time of the collision.
Overall, the NHTSA program has evaluated 23 wrecks involving vehicles with some type of crash avoidance / driver assistance mechanism. Fourteen of those collisions involved Tesla vehicles. NHTSA has already published two of those crash reports, one of which is about Tesla’s Autopilot system. The remaining 21 have not yet been published as of January 9, 2020.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
Tesla accidents and other types of car collisions can be devastating. Julian C. Gomez is a nationally recognized car accident attorney, who can help you pursue justice and rightful compensation. Having an attorney with the knowledge, skills, and reputation, can help in establishing a stronger case. Julian C. Gomez can help you fight for the compensation you deserve to cover costs associated with your Tesla accident, like:
- Existing and ongoing healthcare expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to property
You shouldn’t have to fight for your rights alone; Julian C. Gomez is here to help you. Get in touch with The Julian C. Gomez Law Firm today to schedule a consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.