Tesla declined a $60 million settlement for an Autopilot crash incident, subsequently facing a $243 million fine.
In a landmark trial, a jury in Miami has ruled that Tesla is partially responsible for a fatal crash that occurred in 2019. The crash, involving a Model S on Autopilot, claimed the life of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and left his boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, seriously injured.
The trial marked the first time Tesla faced a jury over the wrongful death of a third party linked to Autopilot. The lawsuit was filed in Florida, and the jury's ruling underscores the risks Tesla faces with Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) under legal and regulatory scrutiny.
According to the jury's verdict, Tesla is responsible for $42.6 million of the compensatory damages and all of the punitive damages, totalling $243 million. The jury found the driver, George McGee, 67% responsible for the compensatory damages, but he was not a defendant in the case.
Tesla denies wrongdoing in the crash. The company maintains that Autopilot requires constant driver supervision, and the crash was caused because McGee looked away to retrieve his phone. However, the jury's decision suggests otherwise.
Interestingly, recent data suggests that Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is now 26 times safer than the average U.S. driver. This contrast between the jury's ruling and the safety data highlights the complexities and challenges faced by autonomous driving technology companies.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs disclosed a settlement offer of $60 million in a court filing this week as part of a request for legal fees. It was revealed that the negotiation of this settlement offer was conducted by the surviving partner and the victim's family against Tesla. However, specific individuals who conducted the negotiation are not detailed in the search results.
Tesla plans to appeal the verdict. The company's decision to turn down the $60 million settlement proposal before the trial may play a significant role in the appeals process.
This high-profile case serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate about the safety and accountability of autonomous driving technology. As these technologies continue to evolve, it is crucial that they are developed and implemented responsibly, ensuring the safety of all road users.
