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The family of a Texas man who died in a fiery Tesla Cybertruck crash is suing the automaker, alleging negligence in the vehicle’s design and manufacturing. The lawsuit, filed in Harris County, claims Michael Sheehan was unable to escape the Cybertruck after it veered off the road, struck a culvert, and burst into flames in Baytown on August 5, 2024.
According to the lawsuit, the crash itself was survivable, but the Cybertruck’s design trapped Sheehan. The suit argues that the vehicle’s doors become inoperable when power is lost, and Tesla failed to provide adequate warnings or training on how to safely exit the vehicle after a collision. The suit also names a Mont Belvieu bar, accusing it of over-serving Sheehan before the accident.
This appears to be the first lawsuit against Tesla specifically concerning the Cybertruck’s safety features in a fatal accident. However, a similar incident in California resulted in the deaths of three college students when a Cybertruck crashed and caught fire. The cause of the fire in the California crash remains under investigation.
The Cybertruck, released in November 2023, was met with both enthusiasm and apprehension. Its sharp, unconventional design raised safety concerns even before its launch. Some analyses have indicated a higher rate of fire fatalities in the Cybertruck’s first year compared to vehicles like the Ford Pinto. The Cybertruck has also faced recalls related to acceleration pedals and exterior panel detachment.
Despite these concerns, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Cybertruck a five-star overall safety rating in its initial crash test. The Sheehan family is seeking over $1 million in monetary relief. A trial date has not yet been set.
Keywords: Tesla Cybertruck, lawsuit, fatal crash, wrongful death, vehicle safety, fire, Harris County, Baytown, design defect, NHTSA, Texas.