Tesla Lawsuit 2023 Updates: Autopilot & Self-Driving Malfunctions
Despite marketing the Tesla driver assistance programs as being safe and fully functioning, both the autopilot and self-driving features have been linked to crashes that have caused injuries and cost lives, leading many to question how effective this technology actually is.
Between July 2021 and June 2022, there were 392 reported crashes involving driver-assistance programs, with Tesla accounting for nearly 70% of them, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In some cases, the programs failed to recognize emergency vehicles or motorcycles.
February 2023 - Tesla Recall
Due to safety concerns raised by the NHTSA, Tesla issued a recall of over 360,000 vehicles with Full Self-Driving Beta, an experimental driver-assistance software, on February 16, 2023.
About the Tesla Class Action Lawsuit
Even if they didn't use autopilot software or get in an accident, Tesla owners paid for technology that may not work properly. As a result, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Tesla over their deceptive marketing.
The proposed Tesla class action lawsuit alleges that the company:
- Knew the autopilot and self-driving features didn’t work or, in some cases, exist
- Misled consumers about the safety and effectiveness of these features since 2016
If you own or lease a Tesla with autopilot or self-driving technology, you may be entitled to compensation from the Tesla class action lawsuit.
Who Can File a Tesla Autopilot Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file a Tesla autopilot lawsuit if:
- You purchased or leased a Tesla vehicle in January 2016 or after
- Your Tesla has autopilot or self-driving technology
The Tesla class action lawsuit is regarding false advertising claims. This means you can join even if you didn’t suffer any injuries, experience a malfunction, or get in an accident.
How to Sue Tesla for Autopilot & Self-Driving Malfunctions
At Sokolove Law, we know how stressful taking legal action can be, but you shouldn’t have to work hard to file a Tesla lawsuit — your lawyers should.
Our Tesla autopilot lawyers will work to make the legal process as easy as possible for your family by handling every step on your behalf.
In general, this can include your legal team:
- Verifying your eligibility to take legal action
- Gathering the evidence to support your claim
- Filing the Tesla autopilot lawsuit within any deadlines
- Negotiating a Tesla lawsuit settlement with the defendant(s)
- Presenting your case during a trial in court
Tesla Lawsuit Settlements & Verdicts
When you file a Tesla lawsuit, compensation may be awarded in one of two ways:
- Tesla Lawsuit Settlement: When your legal team and the defendant agree to an amount of compensation to resolve your lawsuit, possibly without going to court, it’s known as a Tesla settlement
- Trial Verdict: If a Tesla lawsuit settlement isn’t reached, your case may proceed to a trial, where a judge and/or jury can decide the outcome with a verdict
Why Choose Our Tesla Autopilot Lawyers?
When it comes to suing powerful corporations like Tesla, not every attorney or law firm is going to be able to offer you the same advantages. It’s very important to find a firm with the experience and resources needed to hold these kinds of companies accountable.
As an established personal injury and product liability law firm, Sokolove Law is proud to offer:
- Over 45 Years of Experience: Since 1979, Sokolove Law has helped injured clients hold the companies that wronged them accountable.
- Results in the Billions: We’ve secured over $9.6 Billion because we are dedicated to getting our clients the results they deserve.
- Attorneys & Offices Nationwide: As a national law firm, Sokolove Law can help clients wherever they may be in the U.S.
- No Financial Investments or Risks: Our Tesla autopilot lawyers only get paid if you do, so there aren’t any out-of-pocket costs or hourly fees.
Our team of skilled Tesla lawyers is prepared to fight on your behalf for the justice and compensation you deserve. Get started today by contacting us.
Get Help Filing a Tesla Self-Driving Lawsuit
You deserve justice if you paid for technology that doesn't work — and Tesla lawyers with Sokolove Law may be able to help.
Our Tesla lawyers can file a lawsuit to:
- Hold Tesla accountable for their defective product
- Pursue the most compensation possible on your behalf
- Take a stand against misleading or false advertising
Don’t wait — take the first steps toward justice today.
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Tesla Class Action Lawsuit FAQs
What is the lawsuit against Tesla?
The class action lawsuit against Tesla is about how the autopilot and self-driving technology may not function as advertised.
Because Tesla owners paid for technology that may not work properly, they may be entitled to compensation from the Tesla class action lawsuit.
How much does a Tesla lawyer cost?
There aren’t any upfront or out-of-pocket costs to work with Sokolove Law. Our Tesla accident lawyers only get paid if they secure compensation in your case.
This way, you can take legal action without having to worry about how to afford any hourly fees.
Is Tesla responsible for self-driving accidents?
In some cases, yes. Many believe that Tesla’s autopilot and self-driving programs may not be as safe as the company advertised.
A class action lawsuit against Tesla for its deceptively marketed autopilot and self-driving technology has been proposed to allow vehicle owners to hold the company responsible.
If you have a Tesla with self-driving technology, you may be eligible to join the class action — even if you weren't in an accident.
How many Tesla autopilot crashes have there been?
Hundreds, if not thousands. Unfortunately, automakers were not required to report crashes that involved their driver assistance programs, so there was no real way to assess the safety risks. This has since changed, giving us a glimpse into the problem.
There were 273 reported Tesla autopilot or self-driving crashes between July 2021 and June 2022, according to data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you own a Tesla with autopilot or self-driving software, you may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit against Tesla.
Even if you weren't in an accident or didn't use the driver assistance programs, you may still qualify because you paid for features that potentially don't function as advertised.
Tesla autopilot vs. self-driving — what’s the difference?
The Tesla autopilot and self-driving settings have different functions:
- Autopilot lets the vehicle steer, accelerate, and brake within the lane
- Self-driving allows the vehicle to obey traffic signals and change lanes
However, there have been multiple incidents across the country involving Tesla autopilot or self-driving accidents, leading many to question if this technology is as safe as it was advertised.
What happens if Tesla autopilot crashes?
First and foremost, if you’ve been in a Tesla autopilot crash, call 911 and get medical help as soon as possible for any injuries you may have sustained.
Even if you feel fine afterward, it’s important to still get checked out since shock can mask many initial symptoms after an accident. These medical records can also help with any future legal claims you may wish to file.
If you’re able, you should also try to document as much as possible from the scene of the crash and text yourself a record of what happened since your memory may be better right after it happens.
Some things to note or take pictures of if possible include:
- Extent of the damages
- License plates of other vehicles involved
- Phone numbers of potential witnesses
- Road signs nearby
- Weather and road conditions
If you have a Tesla with autopilot or self-driving features, you may be eligible for compensation from a Tesla self-driving lawsuit — even if you've never been in an accident.
What was the Tesla recall in February 2023?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encouraged Tesla to issue a recall on vehicles that included an experimental driver-assistance software known as Full Self-Driving Beta after finding a number of safety concerns. Tesla issued a voluntary recall on February 16, 2023.
The NHTSA identified multiple issued with the FSD Beta system, including:
- An inability to identify changes in speed limit
- Failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign
- Proceeding through an intersection with a stale yellow light
- Traveling straight while in a turn-only lane
Cars that may have the SDF Beta system include the Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y. Tesla will be remotely updating vehicles that utilize this system through an over-the-air software update.
