The Model 3 tumbled several times after colliding with a vehicle in the middle lane, sending it into a cement barrier that tore off a front wheel and knocked the normally stable machine (courtesy of batteries in the floor) off-balance. Despite the violence of the crash and the Model 3's glass roof, the cabin was "completely intact" and prevented any serious injuries. StapleGun's wife emerged with a compression fracture, bruising and a friction burn from an airbag.

This isn't absolute proof of the car's durability, and it's important to stress that independent authorities like the US' IIHS have yet to issue a more authoritative verdict on crash performance. This certainly doesn't erase Tesla's other safety concerns, such as the trustworthiness of Autopilot and the potential for battery fires in certain circumstances. However, it does suggest that the Model 3's design is at least solid, and that Tesla didn't sacrifice safety in its scramble to meet production goals.