Tesla Autopilot Verdict: Could It Have Been Avoided?

Tesla Declined $60 Million Settlement Before $242.5 Million Verdict

Prior to a jury’s decision to award $242.5 million against Tesla concerning its role in a 2019 deadly accident, the automotive manufacturer had the opportunity to resolve the matter for $60 million. However, Tesla ultimately turned down this offer, as revealed in recently submitted legal documents initially reported by Reuters.

Settlement Offer Details

The proposed settlement, presented in May, was detailed within a filing requesting Tesla to cover the plaintiffs’ legal expenses. According to a representative of the plaintiff’s legal counsel, Tesla’s rejection stemmed from the offer’s lapse after a 30-day period. This detail is also explicitly stated in the latest court submission.

The 2019 Fatal Crash

Earlier this month, a federal court jury in Miami determined that Tesla bore partial responsibility for a fatal 2019 collision involving its Autopilot driver-assistance system. A Tesla Model S, operating with Autopilot engaged, struck a Chevrolet Tahoe after proceeding through an intersection.

At the time of the impact, Neima Benavides Leon and Dillon Angulo, the crash victims, were positioned outside their vehicle on the shoulder of the road. Tragically, Leon lost her life, while Angulo sustained severe injuries.

Legal Proceedings and Jury Findings

The driver involved, who was not a defendant in this specific case, faced a separate lawsuit regarding his own accountability. The 2021 lawsuit against Tesla specifically focused on the Autopilot system, which remained active but failed to apply the brakes sufficiently to prevent the intersection collision.

The jury apportioned two-thirds of the blame to the driver and assigned one-third to Tesla. Consequently, the $242.5 million verdict was awarded as part of the jury’s final decision.

Tesla's Response

In a statement released to TechCrunch earlier this month, Tesla indicated its intention to appeal the verdict, citing “substantial errors of law and irregularities at trial.”

Further Contact Attempts

TechCrunch attempted to obtain comments from both the plaintiffs’ attorneys and Tesla. A public relations firm previously handling Tesla’s communications declined to comment, directing inquiries to the company’s press contact. Tesla previously dissolved its internal communications department several years ago.

Case Information

The lawsuit, identified as case 1:21-cv-21940-BB, was originally filed in 2021 within the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

• Key Takeaway: Tesla rejected a $60 million settlement offer before being ordered to pay $242.5 million in damages.
• System Involved: The case centers around the performance of Tesla’s Autopilot driver-assistance system.