Tesla Faces $243M Verdict in Fatal Autopilot Crash Lawsuit
A Miami federal jury delivered a staggering verdict against Tesla on Friday. The company has been ordered to pay $243 million in damages after being found partially liable for a fatal 2019 Autopilot crash in Florida. The jury assigned Tesla 33% responsibility for the crash that led to the tragic death of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and left her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, seriously injured.
The verdict includes $43 million in compensatory damages and a whopping $200 million in punitive damages against Tesla. This marks the first major legal defeat for the company regarding its driver assistance technology, as previous similar cases were either settled or dismissed before reaching trial.
The fatal crash took place in Key Largo when Tesla driver George McGee, who was using Enhanced Autopilot while reaching for his dropped phone, failed to stop at an intersection. He struck the couple at a speed of over 60 mph. The plaintiffs argued that Tesla oversold Autopilot’s capabilities and allowed its use on roads it wasn’t designed for. Tesla, on the other hand, maintained that the driver was solely responsible.
The verdict could potentially set a precedent for about a dozen active Autopilot-related cases. This comes at a time when CEO Elon Musk is trying to convince investors of Tesla’s autonomous driving capabilities.
Source: CNBC