Tesla Model S a Fire Trap?

Tesla Motors is known for their cutting edge electric vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the Tesla Model S a 5-star safety rating in every subcategory without exception, setting a new record for the lowest likelihood of injury to occupants (Tesla Motors).
However, Recent crash fires involving Tesla Model S vehicles have had the NHTSA, personal injury lawyers, and Tesla all concerned about the safety of the lithium-ion battery pack in Model S vehicles.

On July 4th 2014, officers reported chasing a stolen Model S in Los Angeles, CA at speeds of up to 100 mph before the vehicle hit another. The Tesla then collided with a light pole that split the car in half. The front half of the car caught fire when the battery pack ignited, while the rear half became wedged in the entrance to a building. The driver of the Tesla was flung from the vehicle. The Tesla driver and a passenger were in critical condition, as well as two other passengers in serious condition, following the crash. (Green Car Reports) There were no injuries to the drivers of these 3 fire incidents.

This is not the first time Tesla fell under criticism for fires resulting from crashes. In November 2013, the first of 3 fires took place, all in Tesla Model S EV’s and all within six weeks of each other. The first of the three took place in Washington when a Model S had its battery pack pierced by a metallic piece of road debris, causing the front trunk to engulf in flames. The second fire took place in Mexico when the front of the vehicle went up in flames when it crashed into a tree. The third crash took place just weeks later in Tennessee when the driver "ran over a tow hitch" that "hit the undercarriage of the vehicle causing an electrical fire” (Reuters).

Following NHTSA investigations of these 3 crashes, in March 2014, Tesla added a titanium plate to further strengthen the casing around its lithium-ion battery in Model S vehicles. Tesla is currently investigating the July 4th crash (Bloomberg). Tesla Motors has not released a recall for the Model S in spite of the fires following these crashes. Personal injury lawyers will continue to monitor reports on the causes of these crash fires.