Tesla faces a major legal defeat as a Florida jury awards $329 million in damages over an Autopilot-related crash, holding the EV giant partially liable. Tesla plans to appeal.
In a significant legal setback, Tesla has been ordered by a Florida jury to pay $329 million in damages over a fatal crash involving its Autopilot system. The jury concluded that Tesla’s technology played a substantial role in the collision, holding the automaker partially liable for the incident.
The case stemmed from a crash in which a Model 3 allegedly failed to respond appropriately while Autopilot was engaged. While the vehicle's driver was also found to share responsibility, the jury determined Tesla’s semi-autonomous driving system did not adequately safeguard against foreseeable risks.
Tesla strongly disagreed with the verdict and announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing that drivers are instructed to keep hands on the wheel and maintain full attention even when Autopilot is active. The company maintains that Autopilot is a driver-assistance feature, not a fully autonomous system.
This verdict is among the most substantial against Tesla in connection with its driver-assist technology and may set a precedent for future litigation. Safety advocates say the ruling reinforces the need for clearer labeling and accountability as automakers continue rolling out advanced driving features.
