Tesla on Trial

Awan v. Tesla (Dr. Omar Awan case)

California DMV vs. Tesla

A significant regulatory case where the California Department of Motor Vehicles has sued Tesla for allegedly using misleading and dishonest brand names for their Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems. **Case Details** The California DMV filed this lawsuit claiming that Tesla’s use of terms like “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” misleads consumers about the actual capabilities of these systems. The DMV argues that these names suggest the vehicles can operate autonomously when they actually require constant driver supervision. **Key Issues** Misleading marketing and branding practices Consumer protection concerns False advertising allegations Regulatory compliance with automotive marketing standards Public safety implications of misleading product names **Current Status** The case is pending with a verdict expected on November 26, 2025. **Significance** This case could set important precedent for how automotive companies market semi-autonomous driving features and may force Tesla to change how it brands and describes its driver assistance systems. The outcome could impact consumer understanding and expectations of current autonomous driving technology.

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Nelson v. Tesla (Jack Nelson case)

Mendoza v. Tesla (Genesis Mendoza case)

Genesis Giovanni Mendoza Martinez was driving his Tesla on a CA highway, with autopilot engaged, when it failed to recognize a parked emergency vehicle in the break down lane, struck the vehicle, and killed Genesis. Img source: https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2025/tesla-autopilot-lawsuit-crash-into-fire-truck.shtml

Pelletier v. Tesla (Sasha Pelletier case)

Sasha Pelletier was driving his motorcycle on a San Diego highway to meet his family for his graduation celebration when a Tesla with Autopilot engaged failed to appreciate Sasha's motorcycle or the traffic which had slowed to a stop, striking Sasha at freeway speed. Sasha suffered severe, life-altering injuries including brain trauma and internal organ damage that he may never recover from.

Embry v. Tesla (Landon Embry case)

Landon Embry was traveling in his Harley Davidson motorcycle on the I-15 freeway when a 2020 Tesla Model 3 driving in Autopilot failed to detect the motorcycle. Landon was thrown from his motorcycle and died from extensive injuries.

Haidar v. Tesla (Mofazzal Haidar case)

Mofazzal Haidar was driving his 2020 Tesla Model 3 as an NYPD officer directed traffic for a nearby crime scene. While following the officer's instructions, Mr. Haidar's car suddenly accelerated, veered to the right of the road, and collided with a truck. He sustained serious injuries, including to the brain, that permanently impact his life.

Hendrickson v. Tesla (Steven Hendrickson case)

Steven Hendrickson was driving his Tesla, with autopilot engaged, when it failed to recognize and avoid an overturned semi-truck, striking the truck and killing Steven.

Jackson v. Tesla (Sylvia Jackson case)

Jackson was in a parking lot loading groceries into her parked car when a Tesla, with autopilot engaged, failed to recognize her or her vehicle, the Tesla struck Jackson and pinned her between it and her vehicle resulting in the amputation of both her legs from the knee down.

Brown v. Tesla (David and Sheila Brown case)

David Brown was driving his model 3 with his wife Sheila in the passenger seat, with autopilot engaged, when two spontaneous accelerations caused the vehicle to strike two separate vehicles, burst into flames, killing David and Sheila.

Huang v. Tesla (Walter Huang case)

Walter Huang’s Tesla, with autopilot engaged, veered into a center divider on the highway, killing him.

McLaughlin v. Tesla (Aaron McLaughlin case)

Driver Aaron McLaughlin claims he had both hands on the steering wheel, with autopilot engaged, when his Tesla suddenly and without any warning swerved into a crash-cushion on the median of a Virginia highway in 2020, leaving him severely injured.

Taylor v. Tesla (Douglas Mark Taylor case)

Douglas Mark Taylor (aka Mark Taylor) was taking trash out in front of his home when a 2015 Model S struck him, causing catastrophic injuries including to his brain. Mark died of his injuries in November 2021. The plaintiffs "suspect" that the Tesla may have had Autopilot activated at the time of the crash. <https://bertmartinez.com/teslas-autopilot-faces-new-probe/>

Angulo v. Tesla (Naibel Benavides case)

A Tesla Model S, with autopilot engaged, failed to recognize, and stop at a cautionary light and stop sign at the end of the roadway, continuing off the road and striking Angulo and his companion, Naibel Benavides, who were standing next to their parked vehicle, killing Benavides and severely injuring Angulo.

Lopez v. Tesla (Gilberto Lopez case)

A Tesla Model S was traveling, with autopilot engaged, at 74 mph when it left a freeway and failed to recognize, and stop at a red light, striking a Honda civic and killing both occupants, including Gilberto Lopez.

Maldonado v. Tesla (Jovani Maldonado case)

15 year old Jovani Maldonado was traveling with his father Benjamin in their Ford pickup truck, when a Tesla, with autopilot engaged, failed to recognize or stop until a fraction of a second before colliding with the rear end of the ford, throwing Jovani out of the vehicle and killing him.

Monet v. Tesla (Jenna Monet case)

Derrick was driving his Tesla Model 3, with autopilot engaged, when the vehicle failed to recognize, and stop/avoid a stationary emergency vehicle in the left lane, striking the vehicle and killing his wife (the passenger) and severely injuring him. Note: in 2023 a jury decided to not find Tesla Autopilot responsible in the crash. <https://fortune.com/2023/11/01/tesla-convinces-jury-autopilot-not-responsible-first-lawsuit-blaming-fatality-technology-trial/> IMG SOURCE: https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2022/tesla-model-3-driver-sues-death-of-wife-indiana-crash.shtml

McCarthy v. Tesla (Kevin McCarthy case)

Kevin McCarthy was a passenger in a Tesla Model S when the driver lost control of the car attempting to avoid a head on collision with an oncoming vehicle traveling the wrong way on a one-way street and collided with a tree. The car burst into flames and toxic fumes were released. Witnesses observed Kevin McCarthy attempting to escape, but the lawsuit alleges he could not get out safely due to faulty door handles. Firefighters removed him from the vehicle after 20 minutes and he died at a local hospital from injuries suffered in the fire. <https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/lawsuit-claims-design-defects-led-to-fatal-2016-tesla-crash>