Tesla Accident Lawyers in Pompano Beach

What to Do After a Tesla Autopilot Crash

1. Put Safety First
   • All parties: Bring vehicles to a safe stop if possible, switch on hazard lights, and check everyone for injuries.
   • If you were driving a Tesla: Turn off Autopilot and ensure the vehicle is secure.
   • If you were struck by a Tesla: Stay clear of traffic, damaged battery packs can pose fire risks.
2. Call 911 Immediately
   • Request police and EMS. A formal crash report documents Autopilot involvement and preserves scene details that matter later.
   • Politely decline any suggestion to “handle it privately.”
3. Accept Prompt Medical Care
   • Tell EMTs every symptom; headache, dizziness, stiffness, no matter how small.
   • Florida’s 14-day PIP rule makes fast treatment essential for benefits.
4. Secure Critical Tech Evidence
   • If you were in the Tesla
     • Tap Save Dashcam (or use voice command “save clip”) to lock video footage.
     • Photograph the touchscreen showing Autopilot/FSD status and software build (Controls > Software).
     • Do not reset the infotainment system or accept OTA updates until logs are copied.
   • If you were struck by a Tesla
     • Photograph the Tesla’s VIN (door jamb or windshield).
     • Ask the officer to note that the Tesla’s Autopilot was active (driver display often shows blue steering-wheel icon).
     • If safe, record any dash-cam LEDs or audible Autopilot alarms you observed.
5. Gather Scene Evidence
   • Take wide and close-up photos of vehicle positions, lane markings, traffic signals, and weather conditions.
   • Record witness names, phone numbers, and brief voice-memo statements while memories are fresh.
   • Note any Autopilot disengagement points (skid marks, sudden swerves) or radar blind-spots (heavy rain, glare).
6. Protect Your Claim, Call an Attorney Before Insurers
   • Tesla drivers: Insurers may allege you “misused” Autopilot or ignored warnings.
   • Other victims: Tesla’s logs can prove the system failed to brake or steer. A lawyer can subpoena those logs and the Event Data Recorder.
   • Our Pompano Beach team handles every call, form, and negotiation while you heal. Free consultation, no fee unless we win.

Recent Tesla Autopilot Accidents

South Florida has seen several headline-grabbing Tesla crashes, including a 2021 incident in which a Model Y slammed into a home, killing two people and a 2018 crash that burst into flames after multiple impacts.

The timeline below highlights the most significant Autopilot crashes and investigations from April 2024 through May 2025. These events show why regulators and courts remain wary of Tesla’s “self-driving” claims, and why securing dash-cam video, vehicle logs, and other evidence immediately after any Autopilot crash is so critical.

• 23 May 2025 – FSD rollover crash (Florida): A Model Y running the latest “FSD Supervised” update suddenly veered off-road and flipped upside-down; the driver said he could not regain control. Shows loss-of-control failures can still occur even after Tesla’s 2023 recall.[1]
• 12 May 2025 – Regulators press robotaxi plan: NHTSA demanded detailed safety data before Tesla’s planned driver-less pilot in Austin, citing a 2023 pedestrian death in Arizona and the 2024 Seattle motorcyclist fatality tied to FSD. Reflects intensifying scrutiny of any “driver-out” rollout.[2],[3]
• Q1 2025 – Tesla safety report: Tesla claims one crash every 7.44 million miles with Autopilot active versus 1.51 million miles without it. The company presents this as evidence of improved safety, though critics note it counts all crashes, not just those under federal investigation.[4]
• 7 Jan 2025 – New NHTSA probe (“Smart Summon”): The agency opened an investigation into parking-lot crashes involving Tesla’s updated remote-control feature, covering about 2.6 million vehicles. Shows regulators widening their lens beyond highway Autopilot.[5]
• 18 Oct 2024 – FSD low-visibility investigation: NHTSA launched a separate probe after four crashes, one fatal, where FSD was engaged in fog, sun glare, or dust, affecting 2.4 million cars built 2016-2024. Highlights ongoing perception-sensor limitations.[6]
• 31 Jul 2024 – Seattle motorcyclist fatality: Police confirmed a Model S was in FSD mode when it struck and killed a 28-year-old rider; the driver was reportedly looking at his phone. Underscores the deadly mix of driver distraction and FSD’s difficulty detecting motorcycles.[3]
• 26 Apr 2024 – NHTSA fatal-crash tally: U.S. auto-safety regulators said Autopilot had been implicated in at least 13 fatal crashes since 2018. Provides an official baseline that courts and policymakers now reference.[7]

The Autopilot Problem

Distracted driving has always been one of the leading causes of car accidents – regardless of the vehicle. In a Tesla with FSD (Full Self Driving) activated, the autopilot system controls the steering wheel, accelerates, and brakes the car.  Leading some drivers to pay less attention to the road; increasing the possibility of being involved in a car accident.

Frequently Asked Questions