Electric Vehicle Door Failure Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuit Lawyers  

Tesla and Rivian Drivers Allege Deadly Design Flaws That Prevent Escape After Crashes and Fires.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been widely praised for their innovation and environmental benefits, but recent fires and entrapments are raising serious questions about safety, especially involving door systems that rely on battery power to open. In emergency situations, drivers and passengers may be unable to escape a burning vehicle due to hidden or unlabeled manual door release mechanisms. Lawsuits and consumer complaints are piling up, with families and survivors demanding answers and accountability.

Hidden Danger: Electronic Doors That Fail Without Power

At the center of these lawsuits is a dangerous design feature: vehicle doors that rely on electronic power to open. When an EV battery is compromised in a crash or fire, the door release system may stop functioning. This can trap occupants inside as flames spread, turning a survivable accident into a fatal one.

Tesla vehicles, including the Model 3 and Cybertruck, have hidden manual releases, often without visible labeling or intuitive access. Some are buried under floor mats or deep in seat pockets, making them nearly impossible to locate during a panic. Similarly, Rivian’s vehicles have manual overrides, but they too require foreknowledge and aren’t clearly marked.

What Parker Waichman LLP Found

• Federal regulators have received over 180 safety complaints involving EV doors that fail during emergencies.
• Manual releases in Teslas are often unlabeled, hidden under floor mats or in seat pockets.
• Multiple deaths and injuries have resulted from drivers being trapped inside EVs during fires.
• A federal investigation into Tesla’s door systems is currently underway.
• Lawsuits argue these designs violate basic safety expectations and federal motor vehicle standards.

What the Lawsuits Allege

Current and emerging lawsuits target EV manufacturers like Tesla and Rivian for negligence, product liability, and wrongful death. Plaintiffs argue that these companies:

• Failed to clearly label or design intuitive manual emergency releases.
• Knowingly marketed vehicles with known safety risks.
• Did not warn consumers adequately.
• Failed to redesign dangerous door systems despite prior incidents and complaints.
• Prioritized design aesthetics and innovation over occupant safety.

One recent California lawsuit even references deaths in a Tesla Cybertruck fire, alleging that Tesla “has been repeatedly placed on notice that its reliance on electronic door systems created a serious risk of occupant entrapment after crashes.”

Federal Investigations and Public Safety Concerns

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has now launched a formal investigation into Tesla’s door systems. Their probe is examining whether these electronic latches comply with safety regulations and whether Tesla’s hidden manual releases meet the threshold for safe occupant egress.

Firefighters, first responders, and even 911 operators have reported confusion about how to open EV doors during emergencies. Without clear instructions or standardization, even trained personnel may struggle to rescue trapped individuals.

Michael Brooks of the Center for Auto Safety has publicly stated: “There needs to be a federal safety standard that standardizes the placement of manual releases for emergency exit.”

Real-World Consequences: Fires, Fear, and Fatal Outcomes

These aren’t theoretical risks. Victims have described terrifying moments trapped inside burning vehicles. In one incident, a Tesla owner was only saved after breaking a rear window and being pulled to safety by a bystander. In another case, a Rivian driver had to wait helplessly while firefighters figured out how to force the doors open.

In both cases, the manual releases existed, but they were inaccessible, unlabeled, or required information from the owner’s manual that no one could consult during a fire.

Why Choose Parker Waichman LLP

Parker Waichman LLP is one of the nation’s leading product liability law firms, with a deep understanding of the design and safety failures that put families at risk. We have the resources to take on large automakers and hold them accountable for injuries caused by preventable vehicle defects.

Our team has successfully represented victims in complex litigation involving automotive design flaws, wrongful death claims, and fire-related injuries. We don’t just file lawsuits—we work with accident reconstructionists, vehicle engineers, and safety experts to uncover what went wrong and prove liability.

We believe your family deserves justice and we fight to ensure manufacturers prioritize people over profits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Vehicle Door Lawsuits

Can I sue if I was trapped in a Tesla or Rivian during a fire or crash?
Yes. If you were injured or someone you love died due to a door failure in an EV, you may have a strong case under product liability or wrongful death law. These cases often focus on defective design and failure to warn.

What if the emergency release was technically present but hidden or unlabeled?
That does not excuse the manufacturer. A key argument in these lawsuits is that hidden or poorly labeled safety mechanisms are effectively useless during an emergency. If you couldn’t find it in time, the company may still be liable.

Is the federal government investigating these cases?
Yes. Federal safety regulators are actively investigating whether Tesla’s door systems comply with motor vehicle safety standards. Their findings may bolster claims that Tesla’s design poses an unreasonable safety risk.

What kinds of compensation can I recover?
Survivors may be eligible for compensation covering medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, disfigurement, and other damages. Families of deceased victims may pursue wrongful death claims for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and future income loss.

How do I know if I have a case?
You don’t have to decide alone. An attorney can review the facts of your accident, consult vehicle records and safety reports, and help determine if your case meets the legal threshold for a claim.

CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW

If you or someone you love was trapped in a Tesla, Rivian, or other electric vehicle during a fire or emergency and suffered serious injuries or death due to door failure, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Don’t wait to take action. Call Parker Waichman LLP at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) for your free and confidential case evaluation. We represent families across the country in dangerous product lawsuits and are ready to help you pursue justice.