Tesla Faces Lawsuit After Doors Failed to Open During Car Fire | Carscoops

      The electric vehicle manufacturer is facing a new wrongful death lawsuit claiming that the door handles of the Model 3 malfunctioned during a fiery accident, leaving a couple trapped inside.

      Witnesses attempted to rescue the couple but were unable to open the doors.

      The complaint alleges that Tesla sold vehicles with defective door handle designs.

      Another legal issue arises for Tesla, focusing on a devastating crash that again puts the spotlight on the company's design decisions.

      This latest lawsuit asserts that the electrically operated door handles on a 2018 Model 3 failed to work after a collision and subsequent fire, resulting in one occupant being trapped and ultimately leading to her death.

      Read: Trapped Children Die In Tesla Fire After Door Handles Allegedly Wouldn’t Open

      This case poses another significant concern for Tesla, which could be financially burdensome and compel the company to revisit how its vehicles handle emergencies, especially when power is lost.

      **Door Handles Under Scrutiny**

      The lawsuit, filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, details the events of January 7, 2023. Jeffrey Dennis was driving his Tesla Model 3 with his wife in Tacoma, Washington, when the vehicle reportedly accelerated unexpectedly and collided with a utility pole at the intersection of South 56th and South Washington Streets.

      Shortly after the crash, the electric vehicle ignited. It is alleged that several witnesses tried to open the Tesla’s doors to save the couple, but were unsuccessful as the doors did not operate without battery power. Some witnesses even attempted to smash the Model 3’s windows with a baseball bat, but this too was futile.

      Eventually, first responders were able to extract the couple, but Wendy Dennis succumbed to her injuries at the scene, while Jeffrey Dennis sustained severe burns on his legs.

      **Could It Have Been Prevented?**

      The complaint highlights that the Model 3 has a “unique and defective door handle design” that obstructed rescuers from freeing the couple. It further alleges that Tesla was aware of the defect in the door handle but did not rectify it and continued to market and sell the popular electric vehicle.

      The lawsuit extends beyond just the door handles; it also claims that Tesla's Automatic Emergency Braking system failed to engage as the vehicle hurtled toward the utility pole. Moreover, it accuses the company of employing “a highly explosive battery chemistry” despite the availability of safer, more efficient, and less expensive alternatives.

      Jeffrey Dennis is seeking monetary compensation for the wrongful death of his wife and for his own long-term injuries, along with compensatory and punitive damages under California law.