As more semi-autonomous vehicles gain traction on U.S. roads, the risk of an accident and injury also seems to rise. Attorneys on both sides of Harcourt et al. v. Tesla, Inc. rebuke liability. (Credit: Franz12/Shutterstock.com)
Mallory Harcourt parked her new Tesla Model X in her driveway on Dec. 27, 2018. She was heavily pregnant (eight months) and planned to unpack groceries, change the diaper on her toddler and then go back to the SUV. Harcourt shut off the Tesla, but the "Falcon wing doors" remained open as she and her toddler headed into the garage and up the stairs. The young child ran back to the Model X, climbed into the driver's side and managed to accelerate the vehicle into Harcourt, lifting and pinning her against the garage wall.
A neighbor heard Harcourt's screams for help and reversed the vehicle. She suffered multiple injuries, including a broken leg and pelvic fractures and had to deliver the baby prematurely with a broken pelvis. Having bought the Tesla Model X just four days before the accident, the Harcourt family attempted to return the SUV, but Tesla allegedly refused, standing by the integrity of the Model X technology.
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