Tesla Found Partially Liable in Florida Autopilot Trial, Jury Awards $200M in Damages

A federal court jury in Miami has ruled that Tesla is partially responsible for a fatal 2019 crash involving its Autopilot driver assistance system. The jury assigned one-third of the blame to Tesla, awarding $200 million in punitive damages, with the total payout reaching approximately $242.5 million, including compensatory damages. The driver, who bore two-thirds of the responsibility, was sued separately. The crash occurred when neither the driver nor Autopilot braked in time, leading the vehicle to collide with an SUV and kill pedestrian Naibel Benavides Leon. Leon’s boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, suffered severe injuries. This verdict marks one of the first significant legal rulings against Tesla over Autopilot, following years of settlements in similar cases. Plaintiffs’ attorney Brett Schreiber accused Tesla of misleading the public by promoting Autopilot as capable of handling more than highways, despite internal knowledge of its limitations. Schreiber emphasized that Tesla’s actions prioritized hype over safety, contributing to the tragedy. Tesla, however, dismissed the verdict as flawed and vowed to appeal, arguing that no car in 2019 could have prevented the crash. The company emphasized that the trial was a misrepresentation, focusing on the driver’s responsibility rather than the technology. This case highlights growing scrutiny over Tesla’s claims about Autopilot’s capabilities and its impact on driver behavior. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) previously criticized Tesla for ignoring safety recommendations following a 2018 fatal crash. Elon Musk has acknowledged the risk of driver complacency with Autopilot, a concern underscored by this latest ruling. As Tesla rolls out its Robotaxi network in Austin, this verdict raises questions about the broader implications for autonomous technology development and safety.

Published: 8/2/2025