AnnaMarie Dugan Norris, as Guardian of the Estate of Christopher Dugan, an incompetent person v. Tesla, Inc. f/k/a Tesla Motors, Inc., Kyle Kaszuba

Case Background

On May 8, 2017, a lawsuit was filed against Tesla Inc. for the life-altering injuries, impairment, and damages caused to Christopher Dugan in a motor vehicle accident caused by the negligence of Kyle Kaszuba, a Tesla employee. The case was heard before the Indiana State, Marion County, Superior Court. Judges Burnett Caudill, Cynthia J Ayers, and Mark F. Renner presided over this case. [Case number: 49D04-1705-CT-018411]

Cause

Plaintiff Christopher Dugan lived in Avon, Hendricks County, Indiana. Defendant Kyle Kaszuba resided in Danville, Hendricks County, Indiana, and was a Tesla Inc. employee. The truck driven by Kaszuba was owned by Tesla, Inc. At the time of the collision, Kaszuba was acting within his employment scope or with Tesla's express permission, making Tesla vicariously liable for his negligence. Rockville Road in Marion County, Indiana, features two eastbound lanes, two westbound lanes, and a center turn lane. The Speedway gas station, located at 6302 Rockville Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, is situated nearby. On April 25, 2017, around 7:28 a.m., Christopher Dugan was riding his motorcycle and leaving the Speedway gas station. He turned right onto Rockville Road and drove westbound in the right-hand lane. Simultaneously, Kyle Kaszuba was driving a 2014 Ford Super Duty truck, owned by Tesla Motors, Inc., westbound on Rockville Road toward the Speedway gas station. Kaszuba entered the center turn lane while attempting to turn north into the parking lot west of the Speedway. Kaszuba negligently crossed two eastbound lanes and collided with Dugan’s motorcycle, causing Dugan to be thrown from his bike.

Injury

Due to the Defendant's negligence, Dugan suffered traumatic injuries, including brain hemorrhage, facial and skull fractures, multiple leg fractures, pulmonary contusions, a toe amputation, and rib fractures. He required brain surgery to address a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Following the surgery, Dugan began inpatient rehabilitation to treat his brain injury and various orthopedic injuries. The 2017 accident left Plaintiff Chris Dugan, then 37, with the mental capacity of a 10-year-old. According to his attorneys, Dugan still endures severe cognitive dysfunction and struggles with full communication. These injuries impaired his overall functionality and caused permanent disfigurement.

Damages

Due to his injuries caused by the Defendant's negligence, Christopher Dugan had to seek medical treatment to alleviate his pain resulting in significant medical expenses. He would need on