Automaker Tesla faces financial penalties as a jury advises damages, partly attributing the 2019 fatal car crash to their company's responsibility
A Miami jury has found Tesla partly liable for a 2019 fatal crash involving its Autopilot system and ordered the company to pay over $242 million in damages. The verdict, which consists of $42.6 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages, has been met with a planned appeal from Tesla.
The case involved the death of Naibel Benavides Leon and severe injuries to her former boyfriend, Dillon Angulo. George McGee, the driver involved in the crash, was found 67% responsible for the accident but, as a defendant, will not be required to pay damages.
The jury determined that Tesla must pay 33% of the compensatory damages and the full punitive damages. Florida law, however, is explicit that punitive damages have been all but eliminated in product liability cases such as this one. Tesla is confident that the punitive damage award will be overturned by the appellate court, with their maximum liability potentially capped at around $170 million.
The crash occurred when McGee, driving his 2019 Autopilot-equipped Tesla Model S, was travelling at around 62 mph when he struck a parked Chevrolet Tahoe in April 2019. Tesla has stated that their Autopilot system drives better than humans, but they did not restrict drivers from using Autopilot outside of controlled-access highways.
Brett Schreiber, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said the verdict represents justice for Naibel's tragic death and Dillon's lifelong injuries. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has opened a Tesla Diner in Hollywood, California.
Elsewhere, Tesla has been the subject of similar lawsuits related to its self-driving vehicles, but these have been settled or dismissed prior to reaching trial. The company plans to continue developing and improving its Autopilot system, with the ultimate goal of creating a safer and more efficient driving experience for its customers.
[1] Tesla ordered to pay $242.6 million in damages over 2019 fatal crash
[2] Tesla ordered to pay $242.6 million in damages over fatal Florida crash
[1] The verdict in the Tesla-involved crash that resulted in Naibel Benavides Leon's death and Dillon Angulo's severe injuries has ordered the company to pay $242.6 million in damages, with Florida law potentially capping their liability at around $170 million.
[2] A Miami jury found Tesla partly liable for a 2019 fatal crash involving its Autopilot system and ordered the tech giant to pay over $242 million in damages, consisting of compensatory and punitive damages.
[3] The legal repercussions of the self-driving tragedy involving a 2019 Tesla Model S, which led to Naibel Benavides Leon's death and Dillon Angulo's injuries, have questioned the safety of the finance sector's technology in the general-news and crime-and-justice spheres.
