A victim of an accident in a burning Tesla is filing a lawsuit over problems with the door handles (2 photos)

Tesla Model Y Door Handle Issues

The issue of the safety of the Tesla Model Y door handles has become a hot topic after US regulators launched an investigation into about 174,000 electric vehicles. Tesla quickly confirmed that it was conducting its own review and said the system would be redesigned after a series of disturbing incidents. In several cases, parents had to break windows to rescue children trapped inside the car due to non-working built-in handles.

Deeper Problems and Lawsuit

However, the problems may be deeper. Tesla was sued in June over the same issue, alleging that the Tesla Model Y’s non-functioning handles contributed to a passenger’s serious injuries in a crash.

The case, filed in Texas by plaintiff Susmita Maddy, concerns a collision that occurred on December 9, 2023. Maddy’s husband, Venkateswara Pasumarthi, was driving their Model Y when he had a medical emergency and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle struck a power line pole and the front end caught fire.

Trapped Inside the Vehicle

According to reports, bystanders and witnesses were unable to open the passenger door because the locking mechanism prevented it from being opened from the outside. The fire is believed to have spread to the interior of the Model Y, leaving the passenger with “severe burns and respiratory damage.”

The lawsuit alleges that Tesla “was defective and unreasonably dangerous because its design, manufacture, or marketing failed to adequately minimize the risk of injury.” It also alleges that the vehicle was not crash-safe, that the passenger compartment could not be evacuated or accessed after an incident, and that the door handles and locking system “were defectively designed.”



Further Consequences and Claims

Tesla is also under scrutiny for allegations that it “inadequately tested the 2023 Model Y to ensure its safety” in crashes similar to the one involving Maddy and Pasumarthi.

The plaintiff is seeking damages covering medical expenses for all injuries, loss of income, ongoing pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and long-term health impairment. The case will be tried by a jury and is being represented by Payne Mitchell Ramsey Law Group in Dallas, Texas.

This situation highlights the importance of electric vehicle safety, especially when it comes to escape mechanisms. Many drivers rely on advanced technology, but incidents like this are a reminder of the need for manufacturers to be rigorously tested and respond promptly to potential defects. Further investigations could impact not only Tesla, but also the safety standards of the entire automotive market.