Florida jury orders Tesla to pay $313m to victims of Autopilot car crash

A Florida jury on Aug 1 found Tesla liable to pay US$243 million (S$313 million) to victims of a 2019 fatal crash of an Autopilot-equipped Model S, a verdict that could encourage more legal action against Mr Elon Musk's electric vehicle company.

- 

MIAMI - A Florida jury on Aug 1 found Tesla liable to pay US$243 million (S$313 million) to victims of a 2019 fatal crash of an Autopilot-equipped Model S, a verdict that could encourage more legal action against Mr Elon Musk's electric vehicle company.

The verdict is a rare win for victims of accidents involving Autopilot. Mr Musk has been pushing to rapidly expand Tesla's recently launched robotaxi business that is based on an advanced version of its driver assistance software.

Jurors in Miami federal civil court awarded the estate of Ms Naibel Benavides Leon, as well as her former boyfriend Dillon Angulo, US$129 million in compensatory damages plus US$200 million in punitive damages, according to a verdict sheet.

Tesla was held liable for 33 percent of the compensatory damages, or US$42.6 million.

Jurors found the driver, Mr George McGee, liable for 67 percent, but he was not a defendant and will not have to pay his share. He had earlier agreed at a separate trial to pay the families an undisclosed amount in a settlement.