Tesla Ordered to Pay $243 Million in Florida Autopilot Crash Case

A federal jury in Miami has determined that Tesla is partly liable for a 2019 crash in Key Largo, Florida, involving its Autopilot driver assist technology, ordering the company to pay $243 million in damages to the victims. The case centered on the deaths and injuries of Naibel Benavides Leon and Dillon Angulo, who were struck by a Tesla vehicle while parked on a rural road.

Jurors concluded that Tesla's technology failed to prevent the crash and that responsibility could not rest solely with the driver, George McGee, who admitted to being distracted by his cell phone at the time of the accident. The verdict includes $200 million in punitive damages and $43 million in compensatory damages.

The trial drew attention to Tesla's handling of crash data, with plaintiffs alleging the company withheld or lost key evidence. A forensic expert hired by the plaintiffs recovered data and video from the car, contradicting Tesla's earlier statements that it did not possess the information. Tesla later said it had made an honest mistake regarding the evidence.

In a statement, Tesla said, "Today’s verdict is wrong, and only works to set back automotive safety and jeopardize Tesla’s and the entire industry’s efforts to develop and implement life-saving technology," maintaining that the driver had admitted responsibility. The company plans to appeal the decision.

The case has been closely watched by the auto industry, as it raises questions about the legal risks automakers face as driver-assist technologies become more common. The plaintiffs' attorney, Brett Schreiber, argued that Tesla's use of the term "Autopilot" could mislead drivers about the system's capabilities, while the defense maintained that drivers are warned to remain attentive at all times. Financial analyst Dan Ives commented that the size of the award "will send shockwaves to others in the industry."

Tesla has since updated its technology, but the case has reignited debate over the company's safety practices and the trust placed in semi-autonomous driving systems.