Justice Tesla partly to blame for Autopilot accident, jury says
The US electric car manufacturer Tesla is to pay more than 242 million dollars in damages following a fatal accident six years ago, according to a court ruling. A jury in the US state of Florida found the company partly to blame for the accident.
02.08.2025, 04:35
SDA
In the accident, a Tesla S driving in autopilot mode crashed into an SUV, as the accident victims' lawyer, Darren Jeffrey Rousso, told the AFP news agency on Friday (local time).
A 22-year-old woman was killed in the accident in Key Largo, Florida, and her boyfriend was injured. According to the lawsuit filed against Tesla in April 2021, the couple's car was rammed by the Tesla at full speed because it was not recognized by the driver assistance system.
Compensation to family and friend of the deceased
The court ordered Tesla to pay punitive damages of 200 million dollars. A further 59 million dollars will go to the family of the deceased as compensation, while the friend will receive 70 million dollars in damages, according to the court documents.
The person responsible for the accident must pay two thirds of the last two amounts and Tesla one third, explained Rousso. The company from Austin in the US state of Texas must therefore ultimately pay 242 million dollars. "The jury heard all the evidence and reached a fair and just verdict for our clients," said Rousso.
Tesla denied responsibility and blamed the driver for the accident. Evidence showed that the driver had his foot on the gas pedal, causing Autopilot to disengage while he searched for his dropped phone and was distracted, Tesla said. The company called the ruling a "mistake" and announced that it would appeal.
