Product safety in any industry is crucial, but maybe none so much as in the automotive industry. A failure in any component can cause an entire vehicle to break down and potentially cause a deadly accident. One recent incident raising concerns over product safety and liability is the case of a Tesla owner whose steering wheel reportedly came off – while they were driving. The incident, reported in early 2023, is not the first of its kind, and is once again raising questions about the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure the safety of their products.

Product liability is the legal concept that holds manufacturers and sellers responsible for any harm and injuries caused by their products. This includes defects in design, manufacturing, and labeling, as well as failing to warn consumers of potential dangers. The idea behind product liability is that companies should be held accountable for any harm caused by their products, and that consumers should be able to trust that the products they buy are safe to use.

In the case of the Tesla steering wheel, the incident raises questions about whether the company is liable for any harm caused by the defect. According to reports, the owner of the Tesla Model Y was driving on the highway when the steering wheel suddenly came off in their hands. The owner was able to bring the car to a stop without incident, but the incident could have been much more serious if they had been traveling at a higher speed or on a more crowded road. Per The Drive:

Prerak’s [the Tesla owner’s] experience isn’t unique. In fact, the same scenario happened in 2020 to a Tesla Model 3 owner whose steering wheel fell off less than a month into vehicle ownership. In both cases, it would appear that a similar failure occurred where the bolt holding the wheel to the steering column may have backed out—or, in the case of the 2020 incident, simply not have been installed. Either way, the steering wheel may have only been held in place by the airbag and wheel control harnesses when the failure occurred.

Tesla has not yet commented on the incident, but the company will likely face questions about the safety of its products and the steps it is taking to address the issue. This is not the first time that Tesla has faced questions about product safety; in fact, the company has been involved in several high-profile incidents in recent years, including crashes involving its Autopilot system.

What is product liability?

Product liability is an important concept because it helps to protect consumers from harm caused by defective products. Manufacturers have a responsibility to design and produce products that are safe and free from defects, and they can be held liable if they fail to do so. In cases where a defect is discovered after a product has been sold, manufacturers may also be required to issue recalls or take other steps to mitigate the harm caused by the defect.

The incident of the Tesla steering wheel coming off while the owner was driving highlights the importance of product liability and the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure the safety of their products. While it is not quite yet clear what caused the defect in this case, companies need to take steps to identify and address potential safety issues before they cause harm to consumers. By holding manufacturers accountable for any harm caused by their products, product liability helps to ensure that consumers can trust the products they buy and use every day.

Prerak was originally charged for the steering wheel repair, even though he did nothing to cause the issue. The fee was later removed from the invoice after he complained publicly on Twitter.

What if that missing steering wheel had caused an accident?

What if Prerak and his family had not been so lucky? What if there had been speeding traffic around his vehicle when the steering wheel fell off in his hands? If he had not been able to control his vehicle, chances are a car accident would have happened, possibly with serious injuries for everyone involved.

And, if Prerak partnered with a skilled Knoxville personal injury attorney after the accident, his lawyer would work to demonstrate that the car manufacturer (in this case, Tesla) was liable for all injuries sustained in the collision under the theory of product liability:

• The steering wheel suffered from a product defect, which caused it to detach
• This defect made it impossible to control the vehicle, which caused an accident
• This accident resulted in injuries to Prerak and his family
• These injuries resulted in direct losses (like medical expenses and pain and suffering)

A product liability lawyer would use evidence like the vehicle and the defective part itself, police reports, and medical documents to prove this case to the insurance company or the court.

If you or a loved one were injured by a defective vehicle, talk to the attorneys at Banks and Jones today. With 30 years of experience helping the people of Knoxville, we understand the personal injury claims process inside and out. We work with your doctors, the insurance company, and accident reconstruction experts to ensure you secure maximum financial compensation for your injuries and losses. To speak with a respected and experienced car accident lawyer today, call us or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation.