Court Holds Tesla Partially Responsible in 2019 Fatal Crash
In a case of a road accident in 2019, a court in Florida held that Tesla's Autopilot system was responsible for the accident. Therefore, Tesla has been directed to pay $242 million (approximately ₹2,100 crore) as a part of compensation.
Information of the 2019 Crash in Key Largo
The accident took place in Key Largo, Florida, in 2019. A driver by the name George McGee was employing the use of Autopilot while driving his Tesla car. The technology is Tesla's half-automated driving system. As they were driving, McGee's mobile phone dropped within the automobile. Assuming that the Autopilot was completely in command, he leaned down to pick it up.
The car then lost control and collided with an immobile vehicle. Two pedestrians beside the stopped car were hit by it. One of them, a 22-year-old woman, was killed instantly. Her friend was left badly injured. The impact, reports said, tossed the woman's body 75 feet away from where the accident occurred.
Court Verdict and Compensation Breakdown
The families of the victims sued. The court, after a long process of law, granted total damages amounting to $329 million. The court ruled that Tesla's Autopilot system had failed, contributing to the accident. The compensation will be split with Tesla paying approximately one-third and being required to pay $242 million. The rest will be paid by George McGee, who was the driver.
Tesla Plans to Appeal
Following the verdict, Tesla stated that it plans to appeal the decision.
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