A Virginia woman has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $10 million in damages after crashing a Tesla Model Y into a hair salon during a test drive. She alleges the automaker allowed her to drive the vehicle without explaining key features and left it in its highest-performance acceleration setting despite knowing she had never driven an electric vehicle before.
The Independent reports that the 59-year-old Alemzewd Lawgalet was test-driving a Model Y in September 2024 when she lost control and crashed into a storefront near the Pentagon. The lawsuit claims she suffered serious injuries, while the building was evacuated after the vehicle reportedly caught fire following the impact.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court after initially being brought in Virginia state court. Lawgalet is seeking at least $10 million in compensatory damages and an additional $350,000 in punitive damages.
Tesla has denied responsibility for the crash, arguing in court filings that Lawgalet failed to exercise reasonable care while operating the vehicle.
Lawsuit Claims Tesla Failed to Explain the Car
According to the complaint, Lawgalet informed Tesla staff that it was her first time driving an electric vehicle and asked what she needed to know before leaving the dealership.
She alleges a salesperson told her the Model Y operated just like a gasoline-powered vehicle and did not explain regenerative braking or the different acceleration modes available in the SUV.
The lawsuit further claims the Model Y had been left in “Insane” mode, Tesla’s highest acceleration setting. According to the complaint, Lawgalet was unaware the vehicle could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 3.3 seconds.
Crash Happened After Leaving the Highway
Court filings state that during the test drive, Lawgalet became alarmed when the vehicle slowed rapidly after she lifted off the accelerator while traveling on Interstate 395.
She alleges she was not told about regenerative braking and believed the brakes had unexpectedly engaged. Shaken by the experience, she exited the highway intending to return to the dealership.
When a traffic light turned green, she pressed the accelerator, and the Model Y surged forward with far greater force than she expected. The vehicle crossed the roadway and crashed into a nearby salon.
The complaint alleges Lawgalet suffered permanent injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment while also claiming lost wages and diminished quality of life.
Tesla has denied the claims made in the lawsuit and argues the plaintiff bears responsibility for the crash. In its court filings, the automaker contends Lawgalet failed to use reasonable care while driving and failed to mitigate her alleged damages.
Bigger Questions About High-Performance EVs
The case raises broader questions about introducing first-time EV drivers to modern electric vehicles, many of which deliver acceleration once reserved for high-end sports cars.
The lawsuit argues that Tesla should have explained both regenerative braking and the vehicle’s performance capabilities before allowing a customer unfamiliar with EVs to drive alone. Whether those alleged omissions amount to negligence will ultimately be decided in court.
For now, the allegations remain unproven, and the case is still in its early stages. Its outcome could influence how dealerships and manufacturers prepare customers before handing over the keys to some of today’s quickest electric vehicles.
Do you think dealerships should provide more detailed instructions before first-time customers test-drive high-performance EVs, or is it ultimately the driver’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the vehicle? Let us know your thoughts.