• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Click here for directions
  • 954-597-6770
  • info@ljwlegal.com
Long, Jean & Wechsler. P.A. Logo

Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Pompano Beach Florida

  • Home
  • Areas of Practice
    • Animal Attacks
    • Boating Accidents
    • Car Accidents
    • Civil Rights
    • Elder Abuse & Nursing Home Neglect
    • Florida Personal Injury Lawyer
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Pompano Beach Mass Torts Lawyers
    • Product Liability
    • Slip & Fall Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Uber & Lyft Rideshare
    • Wrongful Death
    • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Legal Team
    • Lyle R. Long, Esq.
    • Alex Jean, Esq.
    • Ryan Wechsler, Esq.
    • Len Blumenthal, Esq
  • Case Results
  • Our Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Our Office
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Areas of Practice
    • Animal Attacks
    • Boating Accidents
    • Car Accidents
    • Civil Rights
    • Elder Abuse & Nursing Home Neglect
    • Florida Personal Injury Lawyer
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Pompano Beach Mass Torts Lawyers
    • Product Liability
    • Slip & Fall Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Uber & Lyft Rideshare
    • Wrongful Death
    • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Legal Team
    • Lyle R. Long, Esq.
    • Alex Jean, Esq.
    • Ryan Wechsler, Esq.
    • Len Blumenthal, Esq
  • Case Results
  • Our Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Our Office
  • Contact Us
Hero image of a gavel

Tesla Accident Lawyers in Pompano Beach

You are here: Home / Areas of Practice / Pompano Beach Car Accident Lawyers / Tesla Accident Lawyers in Pompano Beach
Tesla being driven

Key Takeaways

  • Driver still liable: Even with Autopilot engaged, Florida law holds the human driver responsible for any crash.
  • Preserve vehicle data: If possible, secure the Tesla dash-cam and Autopilot logs immediately; they can make or break your claim.
  • Act qickly: Report the crash, seek medical care within 14 days to protect PIP benefits, and document the scene, especially on busy corridors like I-95.
  • Complex tech, familiar rules: Claims proceed under standard negligence and product liability theories; an attorney who understands both is critical.

Tesla Car Accident Lawyers in South Florida

Tesla vehicles have gained large adoption and attracted many customers.  Locally, Tesla has a dealership location in Fort Lauderdale and there are 2 supercharger stations in Pompano Beach, FL.  
 

Teslas and Safety

In their vehicle safety report, Tesla states their vehicles are the “safest cars in the world”.

With an increase in the number of Teslas on the road and a customer base with several individuals that seem to test the limits of the car, there has been a significant increase in the number of car accidents involving a Tesla.  

Tesla Car Accident Lawyers

Navigating any lawsuit is a complicated task due to aggressive insurance companies who always fight to pay you less than you deserve, add to the mix, an emerging technology in a new electric vehicle such as a Tesla and you have a case that can become difficult to navigate very fast.  Our Tesla car accident lawyers understand the law and they know how to fight the insurance companies to help you recover maximum compensation.

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

  • Who is liable if a Tesla on Autopilot causes a crash?

    In Florida, the human driver remains the primary party responsible, even when Autopilot or “Full Self-Driving” is active. The law treats these features as driver-assist systems, meaning the driver must monitor the road and be ready to take over at any moment. Liability can still be shared among multiple parties (e.g., another motorist, a road-maintenance contractor) under Florida’s comparative-fault rules, but Autopilot alone does not shift blame away from the person behind the wheel.
  • Can I sue Tesla for an Autopilot accident in Florida?

    Yes, but only under specific circumstances. You would need to bring a product-liability claim alleging a design defect, manufacturing defect, or inadequate warnings about Autopilot’s limits. These cases are complex: you must prove that the system malfunctioned and that the defect, not driver misuse, caused the crash. Because Florida courts often scrutinize such claims closely, partnering with an attorney who can secure vehicle logs, expert testimony, and any relevant recall data is essential. In most routine crashes, the driver’s insurance is pursued first; a direct suit against Tesla is reserved for clear evidence of system failure or misleading safety claims.

What can you do if you were involved in a Tesla car accident?

If you or someone you know was involved in a car accident involving a Tesla – or any vehicle – our team is ready to help you.  Our car accident legal team will be with you every step of the way to fight for you.  Just like with every one of our car accident cases, there is no cost to you unless we win your case. Our compassionate and understanding legal team is ready to help you.

Schedule a free case evaluation today or call us at 954-597-6770

Sources:

  • [1]: https://electrek.co/2025/05/23/tesla-full-self-driving-veers-off-road-flips-car-scary-crash-driver-couldnt-prevent/
  • [2]: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-agency-ask-tesla-answer-questions-robotaxi-deployment-plan-2025-05-12/
  • [3]: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-was-full-self-driving-mode-when-it-hit-killed-seattle-motorcylist-police-2024-07-31/
  • [4]: https://www.tesla.com/VehicleSafetyReport
  • [5]: https://electrek.co/2025/01/07/tesla-is-under-investigation-for-actually-smart-summon-crashes/
  • [6]: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/nhtsa-opens-probe-into-24-mln-tesla-vehicles-over-full-self-driving-collisions-2024-10-18/
  • [7]: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/apr/26/tesla-autopilot-fatal-crash
  • Areas of Practice
  • Case Results
  • Pompano Beach Law Firm Testimonials
  • Contact Our Pompano Beach Personal Injury Law Firm
  • Privacy Policy

1937 E Atlantic Blvd #205
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
(954) 715-2400
Get Directions

Nou Pale Kreyol | Hablamos Espanol

Follow us on social media!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Google

Copyright © 2025 · Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A. ·

Return to top