A Miami jury has ordered Tesla to pay $329 million in damages in relation to a 2019 crash involving its “autopilot” feature. The incident resulted in the death of Naibel Benavides, 22, and left her boyfriend Dillion Angulo, 27, with serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.
The federal jury determined that Tesla bore partial responsibility for the accident, which occurred in Key Largo, Florida. George McGee was operating a Tesla Model S when the vehicle’s autopilot system failed to stop at a stop sign, crashing into a parked vehicle, where Benavides and Angulo were standing.
Legal representatives for the victims contended that Tesla’s design and marketing of the autopilot feature misled drivers into believing it was safer than manual driving. Their statements emphasized that the automaker should have restricted the use of the feature to controlled access highways. Brett Schreiber, attorney for the plaintiffs, criticized Tesla’s claims about autopilot safety, asserting that the technology was fundamentally flawed and turned public roads into testing environments that jeopardized everyday individuals.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, had previously attributed accidents involving autopilot to driver complacency, suggesting people often overestimate their understanding of the technology’s capabilities. Despite this, the jury’s ruling highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of Tesla’s autonomous driving features.
The jury’s verdict concluded a trial that started on July 14, requiring Tesla to pay $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. This decision amplifies the challenges facing the company amid fluctuating stock performance and public scrutiny regarding its technology.
Tesla indicated in a statement that it intends to appeal the jury’s decision, claiming the verdict undermines automotive safety and could negatively impact both Tesla and the broader industry’s progress on life-saving technologies.
As the company grapples with these legal issues, it also faces external pressures. In recent months, Tesla’s stock has seen declines due to economic uncertainties, including tensions with political figures over electric vehicle mandates and incentives.
Additionally, the company’s second consecutive quarterly decline in auto revenue adds to the challenges it faces as it endeavors to maintain its status as a leader in the electric vehicle market. As the landscape for electric vehicles evolves, Tesla’s ability to navigate these hurdles remains critical.
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