Tesla Held Partial Responsibility in Deadly Florida Accident

A federal jury in Florida ruled that Tesla was partially at fault for a fatal accident that occurred while its Autopilot system was in use, a setback for the company's autonomous driving ambitions. The jury awarded $243 million in damages to the family of the woman who died and her boyfriend, with Tesla found to bear one-third of the responsibility while the driver was accountable for the remaining two-thirds. Tesla plans to appeal, insisting that the driver was solely responsible. The verdict raises concerns about automotive safety and the advancement of life-saving technology, according to Tesla. Past rulings indicate that jury damage awards like this one can often be reduced by higher courts. This case is the first federal jury trial regarding a fatal accident related to Autopilot, with Tesla facing similar lawsuits, both settled and pending. The tragic incident in 2019 involved a Tesla Model S hitting a woman on a dark road, where the driver, with Autopilot engaged, lost control while reaching for his phone. The plaintiffs argued that Tesla misled drivers about Autopilot's capabilities, leading to a false sense of security. Tesla maintains that the system requires continuous monitoring, but the jury sided with the plaintiffs. Tesla, which has pivoted toward self-driving technology amidst declining vehicle sales, faces challenges as it navigates legal battles and seeks to advance its autonomous driving and robotic ventures.