Tesla Found Partly Responsible for Deadly Autopilot Crash as Jury Orders Company to Pay $243 Million

Tesla Ordered to Pay $243 Million After Deadly Autopilot Crash

In a recent court ruling, Tesla has been ordered to pay $243 million in damages following a fatal crash in 2019 that involved its Autopilot system. The jury’s decision was made after a trial that began in July and concluded on August 1st. The incident in question occurred when a Tesla Model S, equipped with automated driving features including Autopilot, struck Dillon Angulo and Naibel Benavides Leon near Key Largo, Florida, as reported in a lawsuit against Tesla obtained by PEOPLE.

The complaint detailed that the driver, George McGee, was reportedly relying on the vehicle’s Autopilot system to navigate without manual input as he approached an intersection. However, as McGee reached down to retrieve a dropped phone, the Tesla failed to detect a parked Chevrolet Tahoe, resulting in a collision that tragically led to Leon’s death and left Angulo with severe injuries.

The lawsuit alleged that Tesla’s Autopilot system was still in Beta mode at the time of the crash, indicating that it was not fully tested for use in scenarios involving cross-traffic or intersections. It was further claimed that Tesla was aware of previous fatal incidents related to Autopilot’s misuse yet continued to promote the system in a misleading manner, exaggerating its capabilities while concealing its limitations.

Following the jury’s deliberation, Tesla was found 33% responsible for the crash, with the remainder of the blame attributed to McGee, who had reportedly settled with Leon’s family separately. In response to the verdict, Tesla expressed disagreement, emphasising that the driver’s actions were the primary cause of the accident and asserting their intention to appeal the decision, citing potential repercussions for the automotive safety industry.

While Tesla plans to challenge the ruling, the plaintiffs’ attorney, Brett Schreiber, underscored the significance of holding the company accountable for its marketing claims and product representations. Schreiber highlighted the discrepancy between Tesla’s public assertions of full self-driving capabilities and its courtroom defence of Autopilot as a limited driver assistance feature, advocating for transparency and safety in the development and implementation of such technologies.

The jury’s unanimous decision to hold Tesla partially liable for the tragic outcome of the 2019 crash echoes broader concerns surrounding the deployment of autonomous driving systems and the ethical responsibilities of manufacturers in promoting their products. As Tesla continues to innovate in the autonomous vehicle sector, this case stands as a cautionary tale about the importance of clear communication, rigorous testing, and adherence to safety standards in advancing automotive technologies.

The aftermath of this court ruling serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in the evolution of self-driving cars, urging stakeholders across the industry to prioritise safety, accuracy, and accountability in the pursuit of cutting-edge transportation solutions. As the legal and ethical landscapes surrounding autonomous vehicles evolve, cases like this underscore the critical need for stringent regulations, ethical considerations, and transparency in shaping the future of automotive innovation.