Children sue Tesla after parents killed in fiery crash over alleged door handle failure

Core Viewpoint - A lawsuit has been filed against Tesla, alleging that the design of its Model S doors contributed to a fatal crash in November, where all five passengers died due to being trapped inside the burning vehicle [1][4][5]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit claims that Tesla's door design created a foreseeable risk of occupants being trapped in a burning vehicle after a crash [4]. - Survivors of the crash, Jeffrey and Michelle Bauer, were unable to escape the fire because the doors locked them inside, as stated in the lawsuit filed by their children [1][5]. - The local sheriff's office reported that a cluster of bodies was found in the front seat, indicating that the passengers may have struggled to escape [4]. Group 2: Allegations of Negligence - The lawsuit accuses Tesla of negligence, asserting that the company was aware of the risks associated with fire and battery failure that could prevent doors from unlocking automatically [5]. - It is noted that while doors can be manually opened from the inside, many users may not know the location of the manual locks [5]. - The complaint emphasizes that automakers are required to design vehicles that allow for timely escape in the event of a fire, which Tesla allegedly failed to do [5]. Group 3: Additional Context - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating whether some Tesla doors are defective, following multiple incidents where exterior door handles failed [7][10]. - Tesla is also facing lawsuits related to other incidents where occupants were trapped in burning vehicles, including a case involving a Cybertruck that resulted in the deaths of three teenagers [7][8][11]. - Tesla's design chief mentioned that the company is working on redesigning door handles to improve usability in emergency situations [12].