A jury in Miami has determined that Tesla is partially liable for a tragic accident in Florida involving its Autopilot technology. The court ordered Tesla to compensate the victims over $370 million (approximately $240 million USD) in damages. The jury concluded that while the driver, who admitted to being distracted by his phone, bore some culpability, Tesla’s technology played a significant role in the incident, which resulted in the death of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and serious injuries to her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo.
This verdict marks the culmination of a four-year legal battle, drawing attention for both its outcome and the fact that it proceeded to trial, a rarity for cases against Tesla, which often opt for settlements to avoid public scrutiny. Legal experts suggest this ruling might encourage more individuals to pursue litigation against the company.
The lawsuit featured allegations from the victims’ representatives that Tesla had either hidden or lost critical evidence, including data and video from moments before the crash. Tesla acknowledged it had made a mistake regarding the evidence’ availability, claiming it was unaware of its existence. Neima Benavides, the victim’s sister, expressed satisfaction that the truth emerged, stating, “Justice was achieved.”
Tesla has faced past accusations of delaying vital data in other crash cases, but this instance highlighted that the plaintiffs had unearthed the evidence through expert analysis. The court imposed a total of $375 million on Tesla, incorporating $309 million in punitive damages alongside $66 million in compensatory damages.
In response, Tesla stated the verdict was a setback for automotive safety and a misguided interpretation of events, maintaining that the driver had admitted full responsibility from the start. The company plans to appeal the decision. Even if unsuccessful, Tesla believes a pre-trial agreement will reduce the amount it has to pay to roughly $165 million.
The outcome of this case poses implications for Tesla’s reputation amid ongoing efforts to promote the safety of its self-driving technologies. The plaintiffs’ lead attorney argued that Tesla misuses the term ‘Autopilot’, suggesting it misleads consumers regarding the level of automation and safety they can expect, contrasting it with terms used by other car manufacturers designed to communicate the limitations of driver-assist systems.
Both sides acknowledged the driver’s reckless actions leading up to the accident, but the case highlights the ongoing debate regarding consumer trust in automated systems and the responsibilities of manufacturers in ensuring driver safety, particularly as they introduce more autonomous features. The implications of this verdict are being closely monitored across the automotive industry, as it raises questions about accountability in a sector moving toward greater automation.