Actor Sues Tesla After Defect Causes Serious Car Accident

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Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers discuss a serious car accident caused by a Tesla auto defect. The day after purchasing a new Tesla Model 3, Mena Massoud, the star of Disney’s live action “Aladdin,” was involved in a serious car accident. The actor was changing lanes on Hollywood Boulevard when the vehicle’s front wheel came off, causing the car to spin out of control and hit a tree. The insurance company found that Tesla was responsible for the accident. In a lawsuit filed against Tesla, Massoud claimed negligence, breach of warranty, and other allegations. According to documents obtained from Tesla, the Model S and X had suspension problems for years, but the company has never issued a recall.

Tesla’s suspension issue has plagued Tesla for years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had numerous anonymous complaints left on their website about the suspension issue. While the car company has issued several technical service bulletins (TSBs), which alert mechanics about the potential suspension problems with the Model S and X, they have never taken steps to issue a recall. In one of their TSBs, the company warned that the manufacturers may have used front suspension fore links that did not meet the appropriate strength specification. They went on to say that if there was a link failure, the driver would still be able to maintain control of the car, even if the tire met the wheel arch liner.

When a Recall Should Be Issued

According to a safety official from the Center for Auto Safety, a company should issue a recall for the following circumstances:

  • The vehicle is in violation of a federal motor safety standard
  • The vehicle has a significant defect

Unfortunately, Tesla is not doing this, either because they do not believe that the problems are serious safety issues or they do not want to do anything that would impact share price, said the safety official. The company uses TSBs, which are not the same as product recalls. In fact, they have issued multiple TSBs on Models S vehicles made in 2012, 2013, and 2014, which described various suspension issues. For example, in a TSB that was issued for the 2012 and 2013 Model S cars, Tesla described an issue with the front lower control arm ball joint that could cause faster wear and require premature replacements of parts. What safety advocates want is more transparency. Specifically, they want automakers to take safety critical issues more seriously and report defects to the NHTSA.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Auto Defects

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident involving a defective car part, you are urged to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. We will determine whether the defective part caused the accident and ensure that you receive that maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.