If you’ve been hurt in a Tesla accident in Oroville, you need an Oroville Tesla accident lawyer who understands these special cases. Tesla cars use technology that changes how we look at car crashes. At Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer, we help Tesla crash victims get the money they deserve for their injuries.
Oroville Tesla Accident Lawyer
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How Does Tesla’s Autopilot System Actually Work?
Tesla’s Autopilot system uses cameras and sensors mounted around the car to “see” the road, other vehicles, and obstacles. It’s not truly self-driving. Instead, it’s what’s called a “driver assistance system” that helps with some driving tasks. You must still pay full attention.
The basic Autopilot package that comes with every new Tesla includes:
- Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: Keeps your car at a safe distance from vehicles ahead by automatically adjusting speed
- Autosteer: Helps keep your car in its lane and works together with the cruise control
Tesla also offers a more advanced package called “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” that adds:
- Navigate on Autopilot: Guides your car on highways from on-ramp to off-ramp, suggesting lane changes and taking exits
- Auto Lane Change: Helps move to another lane when you put on your turn signal
- Autopark: Helps park your car in parallel or perpendicular spaces
- Dumb Summon: Lets you use your phone to move your vehicle in and out of tight spaces
- Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control: Recognizes traffic signals and stops the car appropriately
Despite its advanced features and the “Full Self-Driving” label, Tesla clearly states that drivers must keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times.
Why Work With an Oroville Tesla Accident Lawyer at Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers?
When a Tesla self-driving accident happens, figuring out who’s responsible gets complicated. Was the driver not watching the road? Did the Autopilot system fail? These questions directly affect who pays for damages. Our firm offers:
- Special Knowledge: We understand Tesla’s technology and how it affects liability
- Tech Skills: We know how to get and read data from Tesla’s computers
- Maximum Compensation: We fight for every dollar you deserve for medical bills, missed work, and pain
- Proven Results: Our track record shows we get results for clients
Our Oroville personal injury lawyers keep up with all the new laws about self-driving cars. When you need a Tesla accident attorney who understands both legal and technical issues, we’re here to help.
You Can Seek These Damages Following an Automated Vehicle Collision in California
After a self-driving car accident in California, you can ask for money to cover your doctor and hospital bills, lost paychecks, the cost of fixing or replacing your car, and compensation for pain and suffering, mental distress, and permanent injuries or scars.
How much money you can get depends on how badly you were hurt and how the crash affects your life.
What Are the Common Causes of Tesla Accidents in Oroville?
A good Oroville Tesla accident lawyer looks at all the possible causes to figure out who’s responsible, but certain causes are most common.
Distracted Driving
Even with Autopilot, Tesla drivers must watch the road. Many crashes happen when drivers think the car can drive itself and stop paying attention, but Tesla’s own instructions say drivers must keep their hands on the wheel and be ready to take over at any moment.
Drunk Driving
Some Tesla owners wrongly think the car can drive while they’re impaired. But Autopilot is not designed to detect if the driver is drunk or impaired and cannot safely take over driving duties.
Poor Weather Conditions
Wet weather causes more than slips and falls. Rain, fog, and snow can block Tesla’s cameras and sensors, making Autopilot work poorly. According to Tesla’s documentation, Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features may be limited in bad weather when visibility is poor.
Autopilot and Self-Driving Errors
Tesla’s systems sometimes get confused. Problems can include failure to detect stopped emergency vehicles, confusion at complex intersections, unexpected braking for no reason (phantom braking), and difficulty with unusual road markings.
Battery Fires
After a crash, Tesla’s batteries can catch fire. These fires burn extremely hot and are harder to put out than regular car fires, as seen with every Tesla truck accident fire that attracts massive online attention. First responders need special training to handle Tesla battery fires safely.
Software Glitches and Updates
Tesla sends updates through the internet, but sometimes, these updates have bugs that can affect how the car drives or cause it to suddenly brake when it shouldn’t. When a vehicle gets a new software update, drivers need to be extra careful until they understand any changes.
Tesla Y Model Cars Have Been Cited for Being at High Risk of Fatal Crashes
A study by automotive research firm iSeeCars found that the Tesla Model Y has a fatal accident rate of more than three times the average car over a billion miles driven. However, this higher Tesla self-driving accident rate doesn’t appear to be due to vehicle design issues.
The Model Y has received excellent safety ratings from crash tests conducted by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Instead, researchers suggest that driver behavior might be the primary factor, with issues such as:
- Over-reliance on Autopilot features
- Distracted driving due to touchscreen-centric controls
- Driver complacency when using automation features
- Misconceptions about the vehicle’s self-driving capabilities
Our Tesla Model Y accident lawyer team can investigate whether driver behavior, potential technology issues, or some combination contributed to your crash.
Let Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Work With the Insurance Companies So You Don’t Have To
After a Tesla accident, insurance companies make things harder because they don’t want to pay for crashes involving new technology. They often:
- Ask tricky questions about Autopilot
- Try to blame you instead of the car
- Say your injuries aren’t as bad as they really are
- Push you to take a quick, cheap settlement
Our experienced attorneys handle all talks with insurance companies so you don’t have to deal with their pressure tactics.
The Levels of Self-Driving & Automation in the Tesla Model Y
A self-driving car accident attorney knows the self-driving levels that help determine who’s at fault in Tesla accidents.
Level 0 (Momentary Driver Assistance)
The car has basic safety alerts but no automation; therefore, the person behind the wheel does all the driving tasks.
Level 1 (Driver Assistance)
The car can help with either steering or speed control, but not both at the same time.
Level 2 (Additional Assistance)
The car can control both steering and speed in certain situations, but the driver must stay alert and ready to take control instantly.
Level 3 (Conditional Assistance)
The car handles most driving tasks in specific situations, though the driver must be available to take over when needed. Tesla vehicles aren’t officially at this level yet.
Level 4 (High Automation)
The car can drive itself completely within certain areas without needing driver attention. Human controls are still included but rarely needed. Current Tesla vehicles can’t do this.
Level 5 (Full Automation)
The car can drive anywhere in any conditions without any human input needed. This remains a future goal that no commercially available car has achieved.
How to Gather Evidence in a Tesla Car Accident in Oroville
Getting the right evidence is very important in Tesla accident cases.
Importance of Data From Tesla’s Onboard Computer
Every Tesla records everything about how the car was driving, what the driver was doing, and whether Autopilot was on. This digital evidence can show exactly what happened before and during a crash, including:
- Whether Autopilot was engaged
- How the steering wheel was being used
- If brakes were applied
- Vehicle speed and acceleration
- Whether driver warnings were activated
- If the driver’s hands were detected on the wheel
A self-driving car accident lawyer knows the legal steps to get this data before it’s deleted; this data must be requested quickly through proper legal channels.
Obtaining Video Footage From Tesla’s Cameras
Teslas have multiple cameras around the car that often record crashes, including front-facing cameras, side cameras, rear cameras, and interior cameras (in newer models) that can show if the driver was paying attention.
Eyewitness Testimonies and Police Reports
We still need traditional evidence, too. We talk to people who saw what happened and carefully read police reports. These conventional types of evidence work together with the high-tech evidence to tell the complete story of what happened in your Tesla self-driving accident.
Have You Been Injured Seriously by a Tesla Automated Vehicle?
What happens when a Tesla get in an accident can change your life. You can experience injuries such as:
- Brain injuries affecting your thinking and memory
- Spinal cord damage that could cause paralysis
- Damage to internal organs
- Serious burns from Tesla battery fires
- Multiple broken bones
- Permanent disabilities
These injuries often require long hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, and may prevent you from working. Our Oroville personal injury lawyer team knows how to handle serious cases. We’ve helped people with life-changing injuries get the money they need.
Can Elon’s Tesla’s Manufacturer Be Held Liable for a Self-Driving Car Accident in Oroville?
Yes, Tesla can be legally responsible for accidents involving their vehicles.
CHAPTER 301—MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY Title 49
According to federal laws, car manufacturers must make safe vehicles. And Tesla might be responsible if they designed the self-driving system poorly, parts of the car were defective, they didn’t properly warn drivers about system limitations, or they advertised Autopilot as safer than it really is.
Let Us Worry About Proving Liability for Your Tesla Accident
Figuring out who’s responsible for a Tesla accident can be tricky. Here’s who might need to pay.
Driver (Without Autopilot/Self-Driving On)
When driving without automation, the driver is responsible, just like in any other car.
Driver (With Autopilot/Self-Driving On)
Even using Autopilot, drivers must watch the road. However, in a Tesla Autopilot accident, Tesla might share responsibility.
Vehicle Mechanic
If a repair shop did something wrong when fixing the Tesla, they might be responsible.
Am I a Potential Tesla Crash Victim?
You might have a case worth pursuing if:
- You were hurt in any crash involving a Tesla
- Your accident happened within the last two years
- The crash was caused by a careless driver, Autopilot problems, or car defects
- You have medical bills, missed work, or other losses
- You were hit by a Tesla while walking, biking, or in another vehicle
Even if you were partly to blame, you can still get money under California’s laws. Our attorneys offer free case evaluations to help you understand your options.
Contact the Oroville Tesla Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation With Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer!
If you’ve been hurt in a Tesla accident, don’t wait to get legal help. Every day that passes could mean lost evidence or missed deadlines. We have proven results for Tesla and other self-driving accident cases.
Contact us today to schedule your free case review. Our Oroville Tesla accident lawyer team will listen to your story and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.
Oroville Tesla Accidents FAQs
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Tesla Accident?
In California, you have two years from your accident date. However, if a government vehicle was involved, you must file a special claim within six months.
What if My Insurance Doesn’t Cover All My Medical Bills?
If your insurance isn’t enough, we can help you get additional money from the at-fault driver, Tesla, or other responsible parties. Don’t settle for less than you need.
How Is a Tesla Accident Different From a Regular Car Crash?
Tesla accidents are more complex because we need to analyze computer data and determine whether Autopilot worked correctly. We work with experts who understand both cars and computers.