Florida-based Tesla is challenging a jury’s ruling that deemed the company partially responsible for a fatal crash involving its vehicle. The incident, which occurred in 2019, resulted in the death of a pedestrian and serious injuries to another individual.
Attorneys representing the victims contended that Tesla’s Autopilot feature played a crucial role in the crash, failing to warn the driver of an oncoming hazard and not engaging the brakes in time. In response, Tesla has argued that the responsibility lies solely with the driver, George McGee, and is seeking to have the verdict overturned, a new trial ordered, or the punitive damages lowered.
The case has significant financial implications for Tesla, which was ordered to pay $243 million after allegations emerged that CEO Elon Musk mischaracterized the capabilities of the Autopilot system. The company expressed its disagreement with the jury’s decision, stating the financial penalty contradicts “common sense” in its court briefs.
Tesla claimed that automakers cannot be held liable for the actions of drivers who act recklessly. Conversely, Brett Schreiber, the lawyer for the victims, suggested that Tesla’s legal move is indicative of a disregard for the human costs associated with what he calls flawed technology. “The jury evaluated all the evidence and arrived at a fair conclusion about shared responsibility,” Schreiber noted, asserting that the Autopilot system contributed significantly to the incident.
During the trial, evidence revealed that McGee dropped his phone as he approached an intersection, causing him to lose focus. His vehicle, a Tesla Model S, subsequently collided with an SUV and struck two pedestrians standing nearby. Naibel Benavides Leon, 22, lost her life in the incident, while her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, sustained injuries that will affect him for life.
Tesla accused the plaintiffs’ legal team of overwhelming the jury with what it described as irrelevant evidence, including statements from Musk. They also argued that the excessive punitive award should be nullified or significantly reduced, asserting that there was insufficient evidence to prove egregious misconduct on the company’s part.
The jury ultimately awarded the victims $329 million, which included $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages designed to deter similar future actions by Tesla. The Florida case marks a pivotal moment as it represents the first federal lawsuit involving Tesla’s Autopilot feature to reach a jury, setting a precedent amidst ongoing concerns regarding autonomous vehicle safety.
Tesla has faced similar legal challenges over its Autopilot system in the past, including a settlement last year regarding a 2018 crash involving an Apple engineer. However, a California jury in 2023 ruled that Tesla bore no fault in a separate alleged fatal accident involving the Autopilot feature.
McGee expressed during the trial that he believed the Autopilot was supposed to serve as a backup to assist him, saying he felt it had inadequately supported him when he needed it most. He has since reached a separate settlement with the victims for an undisclosed amount.
This case exemplifies the growing scrutiny facing automakers as incidents involving advanced driver-assistance systems continue to raise questions about responsibility and safety in the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicles.
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