Tesla could have avoided that $242.5M Autopilot verdict, filings show

In a recent federal court case in Miami, Tesla was found partially liable for a fatal 2019 crash involving its Autopilot system, resulting in a $242.5 million jury verdict against the company. The crash occurred when a Tesla Model S with Autopilot engaged failed to brake at an intersection and collided with a Chevrolet Tahoe, killing Neima Benavides Leon and severely injuring Dillon Angulo, who were standing outside the vehicle. The jury apportioned two-thirds of the blame to the driver and one-third to Tesla. Tesla plans to appeal the verdict, citing significant legal errors and trial irregularities. Newly revealed legal filings show that Tesla had the opportunity to settle the case for $60 million months before the verdict but declined the offer. The lawsuit, filed in 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, focused on Tesla’s Autopilot system’s failure to prevent the crash. Tesla’s communications team has been disbanded, and