Home / Crime and Justice / Tesla Faces $243M Hit as Autopilot Verdict Stands
Tesla Faces $243M Hit as Autopilot Verdict Stands
21 Feb
Summary
- Judge upheld jury verdict, holding Tesla responsible for a 2019 fatal crash.
- Tesla must pay $243 million in damages to victims of the crash.
- The crash involved the Autopilot feature and a driver retrieving a phone.
A US District Court judge has affirmed a jury's decision, requiring Tesla to pay $243 million. This substantial sum is a consequence of a deadly 2019 crash where the company's Autopilot feature was engaged.
US District Judge Beth Bloom rejected Tesla's plea to overturn the verdict, stating sufficient evidence supported the jury's finding. The jury had determined Tesla partially liable for the incident, awarding compensatory and punitive damages.
The crash involved a Model S driver who was retrieving a dropped phone while Autopilot was active. The vehicle subsequently collided with a parked SUV, resulting in one fatality and severe injuries.
Tesla had argued the vehicle and its Autopilot system were not defective, attempting to shift blame to the driver. This legal setback occurs as Tesla also faces multiple investigations into its driver-assistance systems.
