Tesla faces a $243 million verdict after a jury finds them liable in a fatal crash involving Autopilot, also due to a contention regarding data access.
In a landmark ruling, a Miami federal jury has awarded the plaintiffs a total of $329 million in damages after finding Tesla partly liable for a 2019 crash in Florida that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old woman, Naibel Benavides Leon, and severe injuries to her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo.
The crash occurred on a dark rural road in Key Largo, Florida, where a Tesla Model 3, driven by George McGee, failed to stop at a stop sign and hit a parked Chevrolet Tahoe. McGee admitted in court that he was distracted by a dropped cell phone and relied too heavily on the car's Autopilot system. Tesla repeatedly warns drivers to stay attentive, but McGee ignored these warnings.
The jury determined that Tesla's Autopilot system partially contributed to the fatal incident, holding Tesla and CEO Elon Musk accountable for overstating the technology. Tesla denied wrongdoing, stating the driver was overwhelmingly responsible because he was speeding with his foot on the accelerator while distracted by searching for his phone, overriding Autopilot.
However, a forensic expert hired by the plaintiffs recovered vehicle logs and video footage that Tesla had claimed didn't exist. Lawyers for the victims accused Tesla of hiding or losing critical data from the crash. The jury's ruling orders Tesla to pay $243 million in damages, including $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. Tesla plans to appeal the verdict.
This ruling is one of the first major verdicts holding Tesla partially liable in a fatal accident involving its self-driving technology, marking a significant legal setback for the company. The ruling could influence how courts assess blame in crashes involving semi-autonomous systems, especially when human drivers also act irresponsibly.
The crash happened while Tesla is pushing to launch a driverless taxi service across multiple U.S. cities. The ruling could have far-reaching implications for the development and implementation of autonomous vehicle technology.
Naibel Benavides Leon, the 22-year-old woman, was killed in the crash, and Dillon Angulo, her boyfriend, sustained broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. Tesla maintains that McGee was solely responsible for the crash, but the jury's decision suggests otherwise. The ruling could set a precedent for future cases involving autonomous vehicle technology.
References:
[1] Ars Technica. (2023, March 1). Tesla found liable in fatal Florida crash involving Autopilot. Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/03/tesla-found-liable-in-fatal-florida-crash-involving-autopilot/
[2] Reuters. (2023, March 1). Tesla to appeal $329 million verdict in Florida crash case. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-to-appeal-329-million-verdict-in-florida-crash-case-2023-03-01/
[3] The Verge. (2023, March 1). Tesla found liable in Florida crash that killed 22-year-old woman. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/1/22958611/tesla-florida-crash-autopilot-lawsuit-verdict-naibel-benavides-leon
[4] CNBC. (2023, March 1). Tesla found liable in Florida crash that killed 22-year-old woman. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/01/tesla-found-liable-in-florida-crash-that-killed-22-year-old-woman.html
- The jury's ruling in the Tesla Florida crash case, which ordered Tesla to pay $329 million in damages, could signify a major turning point in the automotive industry regarding liability for accidents involving semi-autonomous systems.
- This landmark court decision, which holds Tesla partially liable for a crash resulting in a 22-year-old woman's death and her boyfriend's severe injuries, might influence future cases involving autonomous vehicle technology and robotics.
- The potential implications of the Tesla Florida crash verdict extend beyond financial repercussions, reaching into the realms of technology development and industry practices, such as how technology companies present their capabilities and the responsibility of human operators in semi-autonomous systems.
- Amidst the ongoing debate about self-driving technology's readiness for implementation, the Tesla Florida crash strongly underscores the need for enhanced safety measures, transparency, and the integration of science and finance in the transportation sector to ensure innovation benefits society and minimizes risks.
