Tesla is facing a lawsuit following a fiery crash in Wisconsin that claimed the lives of all five occupants of a Model S. The lawsuit, filed by the families of the victims, alleges that a design flaw prevented the doors from opening easily after the crash, trapping the occupants and contributing to their deaths.

The incident occurred on Interstate 43 near Milwaukee on December 21, 2023. According to authorities, the Model S burst into flames after colliding with a Ford F-150. All five people inside the Tesla, identified as a multigenerational family traveling together, perished in the blaze. The driver of the Ford sustained injuries but survived.

The lawsuit claims that Tesla’s door design, which relies on a complex latching system, malfunctioned in the aftermath of the accident, making it impossible for the occupants to escape. The families argue that a simpler, more reliable door mechanism would have significantly increased their chances of survival.

While the initial cause of the crash is still under investigation, the lawsuit focuses specifically on the aftermath and the alleged difficulty in exiting the vehicle. The complaint seeks unspecified damages from Tesla, alleging wrongful death and negligence. Reuters reported that Tesla has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.

This is not the first time Tesla’s vehicle safety features have been questioned. The company has faced scrutiny over its Autopilot system and other safety technologies. This lawsuit, however, centers on a fundamental aspect of vehicle safety – the ability to quickly and easily exit a vehicle after an accident.