As if
fires and explosions from oil and gas rigs weren’t enough in Texas, now the state has
to worry about electrical fires, explosions, and spontaneous combustion
in passenger vehicles.
Tesla appears to be the culprit.
A History of Legal Battles in Texas
Since 2013, the state of Texas has barred Tesla from excepting state law and opening
its own dealerships. While lawmakers want to keep local consumers safe from
monopolies, they may be keeping them from a litany of other threats.
Claims and Controversy
As a company that frequently believes it’s above the law, Tesla has
recently been
under scrutiny from national safety organizations. The company claims to have the “safest” crash test rating
in the United States, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) does not condone this messaging.
Additionally, the company’s safety claims seem to be constantly undermined
by its controversies. In addition to
several ongoing investigations about their vehicles’ AutoPilot systems, Tesla has been associated with
dangerous electrical fires and
spontaneous combustion.
Electrical Fires
In February of this year, a car was engulfed in flames after a mysterious
collision with trees in the median. Not only was the driver “burned
beyond recognition,” but the vehicle continued to burn for an entire
day after the accident. While any vehicle can catch fire, and electrical
fires are naturally more difficult to put out, Tesla fires, specifically,
have been a concern
since 2013.
Spontaneous Combustion
Just this June, a man was driving a Tesla in Los Angeles traffic when his
car caught on fire without warning or cause. He was flagged down by a
concerned couple and left the vehicle to burn on the side of the road.
The incident is alarming, but Tesla asserted that it was “very rare.”
Still, this is not the first time a Tesla has caught fire without rhyme
or reason. Vehicles manufactured by Tesla have caught fire in
Hong Kong and exploded in
Shanghai.
Perhaps Texas’ decision to limit the sale of Teslas is wise, after all.
What to Do if You’ve Been Affected by a Fire or Explosion
At the Law Office of James M. Stanley, we have been representing injured
Texans and their families since 1976. We have special experience with
claims arising from fires and explosions, and are also well-versed in
car accident and
product liability cases. If you were harmed by a Tesla, we will help you determine the best angle
to approach the case from and support you every step of the way.
Even if you were burned or injured by an oil or gas rig,
our attorneys are here for you.
Call us at (817) 591-4222 today for a free consultation.