Tesla ordered to pay $242 million following a fatal crash incident.
In a landmark decision, a Florida jury has ruled that Tesla was partially responsible for a fatal accident involving its Autopilot system in Key Largo, Florida, on April 25, 2019. The incident, which involved a Tesla Model S and a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV, resulted in a trial in a federal civil court in Miami.
The jury awarded the plaintiffs a total of $328 million in damages. Of this amount, $200 million was attributed to Tesla, making the company ultimately liable for $242 million in damages. The family of the young woman in the Chevrolet Tahoe, who was thrown several dozen meters and died in the crash, received $59 million, while Dillon Angulo, her partner who was injured, received $69 million.
Tesla, however, has reacted to the verdict by stating that it intends to appeal. The company argues that the driver was solely responsible for the accident, as he disengaged Autopilot by putting his foot on the accelerator, was driving too fast, and was not keeping his eyes on the road. Tesla also claims that the allegations against it are a fabrication concocted by the plaintiffs' lawyers to blame the car.
The company further claims that there were significant errors and legal irregularities during the trial. Tesla maintains that no car in 2019, or currently, could have avoided the accident, as the Model S did not detect the Chevrolet Tahoe, resulting in the collision.
In a statement, Tesla said, "We are disappointed by the verdict and intend to appeal." The lawyer for the plaintiffs, however, expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating, "Justice has been served."
The decision comes after a new lawsuit was filed against Tesla in April 2021, following the confirmation of the jury's decision by the database of decisions from federal courts in the United States. This is not the first time Tesla's Autopilot system has been involved in a controversy, and the company continues to face scrutiny over the safety of its self-driving technology.
[1] Tesla found partially liable for 2019 Florida crash involving its Autopilot system
[2] Tesla's Autopilot found partially liable in Florida crash
[3] Jury orders Tesla to pay $242 million for 2019 fatal Florida Autopilot crash
[4] Tesla faces $242 million payout following Florida Autopilot car-accident verdict
