The Facts
Tesla Inc. is preparing to defend itself in two lawsuits over allegations that its Tesla Model 3's Autopilot driver assistant feature led to fatalities in 2019.
The first trial, scheduled for mid-September in California, is related to a crash that killed the driver of a car which veered off a Los Angeles highway and struck a tree, before bursting into flames and critically injuring two passengers.
The Spin
Narrative A
Tesla can't deny the reality that there have been dozens of accidents — many deadly — involving its Autopilot feature. From the name of the technology to the company's manipulative marketing practices, it's no wonder many drivers overestimate it. Tesla must accept some responsibility for these fatal outcomes.
Narrative B
Tesla's cars aren't self-driving, and their Autopilot feature doesn't make them fully autonomous, so drivers must always be ready to take complete control. While anyone can blame Elon Musk for false and misleading assurances, the responsibility for such accidents rests on the person behind the wheel.
