Story perspectives

Tesla Faces $329M Verdict Over Autopilot Crash Liability

8/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A Miami jury held Tesla partly responsible for a 2019 crash, awarding $329 million for Naibel Benavides Leon's death and injuries to Dillon Angulo.
The jury assigned 37% fault to Tesla's Autopilot for not disengaging during driver distraction.
Tesla intends to appeal, claiming the driver was entirely at fault and warning of potential setbacks for self-driving technology.
This verdict could establish a precedent for liability in autonomous vehicle incidents, raising safety concerns about Tesla's systems.

History

Historical Context

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began investigating Tesla's Autopilot in 2016 after a fatal crash, revealing that 94% of accidents involve human error. In 2018, the NTSB criticized Tesla for inadequate safeguards. A Miami jury's 2023 decision to hold Tesla 37% liable for a 2019 crash underscores ongoing concerns about the safety and regulation of autonomous vehicle technology.

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Story summary

A Miami jury held Tesla partly responsible for a 2019 crash, awarding $329 million for Naibel Benavides Leon's death and injuries to Dillon Angulo.
The jury assigned 37% fault to Tesla's Autopilot for not disengaging during driver distraction.
Tesla intends to appeal, claiming the driver was entirely at fault and warning of potential setbacks for self-driving technology.
This verdict could establish a precedent for liability in autonomous vehicle incidents, raising safety concerns about Tesla's systems.

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