Tesla appeals $243M Autopilot crash verdict, seeks new trial or dismissal

📅 Published: 8/29/2025
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 9:11:14 PM
📊 15 updates
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Tesla has formally appealed the $243 million verdict against it in a high-profile Autopilot crash wrongful death case, seeking either a new trial or dismissal of the judgment. The company is challenging the ruling that found it partly responsible for a fatal 2019 crash involving a Model S operating in Autopilot mode in Florida[1][2][3].

The case arose from a tragic incident where the Tesla driver...

The case arose from a tragic incident where the Tesla driver dropped his phone, and while attempting to retrieve it, the vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with a parked SUV. The SUV then struck two pedestrians, resulting in one death and one serious injury. The jury assigned 67% responsibility to the driver and 33% to Tesla. However, Tesla was also hit with a substantial $200 million punitive damages award, in addition to compensatory damages of $43 million, bringing Tesla’s total liability to $243 million[1][2].

Tesla had previously rejected a $60 million settlement offer...

Tesla had previously rejected a $60 million settlement offer, standing by its long-held position not to settle cases it believes are unjust. This decision has now led to the much larger verdict against the company, a rare and costly defeat in Autopilot litigation for Tesla[1][4]. The plaintiffs further exposed that Tesla withheld crucial data during the case, which cast the company in an unfavorable light and contributed to the jury’s finding of defectiveness in the vehicle’s Autopilot system[1][2].

In response to the verdict, Tesla issued a statement calling...

In response to the verdict, Tesla issued a statement calling the decision “wrong” and arguing that it “only works to set back automotive safety and jeopardize Tesla’s and the entire industry’s efforts” to develop lifesaving technology. The company maintained that the driver had accepted responsibility from the start, accusing the plaintiffs of unjustly blaming the car[2].

Financial analysts note that the size of the verdict could s...

Financial analysts note that the size of the verdict could send shock waves through the automotive industry, underscoring the risks companies face as they deploy advanced driver-assistance technologies[2]. Tesla has announced it will exhaust all legal avenues to overturn or mitigate the ruling, including appealing the verdict and seeking either a new trial or dismissal of the case[1][2][3].

The final amount Tesla may owe remains subject to dispute du...

The final amount Tesla may owe remains subject to dispute due to a pre-trial agreement that purportedly limits punitive damages to three times compensatory damages, potentially reducing the punitive portion to about $129 million. However, plaintiffs contend that the agreement’s terms support the full $200 million punitive damages awarded by the jury[2].

This case marks a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny...

This case marks a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of Tesla’s Autopilot system and the legal risks automakers face as they navigate the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicle technology. The outcome of Tesla’s appeal will be closely watched by the industry and safety advocates alike.

🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 6:51:00 PM
Tesla is appealing the $243 million verdict against it in the 2019 Autopilot crash case, seeking a new trial or dismissal, citing “substantial errors of law and irregularities at trial”[1][2]. The ruling, which assigned Tesla one-third of the blame for the fatal crash, has sparked international attention on the safety and regulatory oversight of autonomous driving technologies, raising concerns among global markets and governments about liability standards for AI-driven systems[1]. Tesla’s appeal signals potential prolonged legal scrutiny that could influence regulations and liability frameworks worldwide for autonomous vehicle technologies.
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 7:01:02 PM
Tesla's appeal of the $243 million Autopilot crash verdict comes as the company faces increasing legal and competitive pressures in the autonomous vehicle market. By rejecting a $60 million settlement offer earlier this year, Tesla has now incurred a punitive damages award that some experts say could hinder its aggressive expansion plans in the Robotaxi sector, where it aims to eliminate human drivers entirely[1][2]. The verdict highlights ongoing scrutiny over Tesla's Autopilot safety features and could impact market dynamics as competitors emphasize safer, more regulated autonomous technologies[2].
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 7:11:05 PM
Tesla has filed a 71-page motion appealing the $243 million verdict in the fatal 2019 Autopilot crash case, seeking a new trial or dismissal on grounds of numerous legal errors during the trial[1]. Experts note the significant punitive damages—$200 million against Tesla—reflect concerns over design flaws and alleged data deletion, with industry voices warning this verdict could impact Tesla's aggressive Robotaxi ambitions[2]. Despite Tesla’s refusal of a $60 million settlement offer, analysts say the verdict signals growing legal risks tied to Autopilot’s safety and misleading marketing[3].
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 7:21:04 PM
Tesla is actively appealing the $243 million verdict against it in the 2019 Florida Autopilot crash case, arguing "substantial errors of law and irregularities" during the trial as it seeks dismissal or a new trial[1][2]. Although this landmark case resulted in Tesla being found 33% liable and ordered to pay $200 million in punitive damages, there has been no direct regulatory or government agency response publicly disclosed as part of the appeal filings or recent reports[1][2][3]. The legal process is currently unfolding in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, with Tesla challenging the court ruling but no formal government regulatory action reported to date[2].
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 7:31:14 PM
Tesla is actively appealing the $243 million verdict from a 2019 fatal Autopilot crash case, seeking a new trial or dismissal, after having rejected a $60 million settlement offer months before the verdict[1][2][3]. This legal battle highlights increasing scrutiny on Tesla’s Autopilot amid rising competition from legacy automakers and new entrants accelerating their development of advanced driver-assistance systems, intensifying pressure on Tesla’s market leadership in autonomous tech. Tesla’s appeal statement cited “substantial errors of law and irregularities at trial,” signaling a continued fight to maintain its technological reputation against rivals investing heavily to close the gap[1].
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 7:41:10 PM
Public reaction to Tesla’s appeal of the $243 million Autopilot crash verdict has been sharply divided. Some consumers express frustration over Tesla’s decision to reject a $60 million settlement offer before trial, viewing the appeal as an attempt to evade accountability despite the fatal 2019 Florida crash where a pedestrian was killed and another seriously injured[2]. Conversely, Tesla supporters highlight the company’s claims of “substantial errors of law and irregularities at trial” and back the move for a new trial or dismissal, emphasizing the shared driver responsibility found by the jury, which assigned Tesla 33% fault and the driver 67%[1][2]. Social media debates have surged with thousands discussing the case, reflecting broader public concerns about autonomous vehicle safety and
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 7:51:10 PM
Tesla is appealing the $243 million verdict from the 2019 Autopilot fatal crash case, arguing “substantial errors of law and irregularities” at trial and seeking either a new trial or dismissal[1][3]. Industry experts and legal analysts highlight that the punitive damages reflect concerns over Tesla’s design choices—especially its misleading “Autopilot” branding and inadequate driver attention systems—and the company’s history of crashes and alleged data deletion, signaling a significant challenge to Tesla’s push toward autonomous driving[2]. The case underscores growing scrutiny of Tesla’s safety claims amid its ambitions to expand its Robotaxi services.
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 8:01:11 PM
Consumer and public reaction to Tesla’s appeal of the $243 million Autopilot crash verdict has been mixed, with some expressing frustration over the prolonged legal battle. Critics highlight Tesla’s rejection of a $60 million settlement offer in May before the jury verdict, suggesting the company’s decision has unnecessarily extended the ordeal for victims’ families[1]. Meanwhile, some Tesla supporters emphasize the jury’s allocation of two-thirds of the blame to the human driver, underscoring ongoing debate about Autopilot’s role and driver responsibility[2].
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 8:11:09 PM
Tesla has filed a detailed 71-page motion seeking to overturn or reduce the $243 million verdict in a 2019 fatal Autopilot crash case, citing "numerous errors of law" during the trial and requesting a new trial or dismissal[1]. The company challenges both the compensatory damages—where Tesla was assigned 33% liability compared to the driver's 67%—and the punitive damages of $200 million, arguing the punitive award should be struck entirely[1][4]. Tesla also highlights procedural issues, including allegations that the trial court erred legally and that crucial data was withheld improperly, which it contends justifies the appeal and reset of the trial process[1].
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 8:21:09 PM
Tesla's appeal of the $243 million verdict in the fatal 2019 Autopilot crash case has drawn attention but has not triggered a formal regulatory or government intervention as of now. The case, tried in federal court in Miami, highlighted concerns about Tesla's Autopilot system design and safety claims, but government agencies have not issued new statements or actions in response to the verdict or Tesla's appeal filings[1][4]. Despite the punitive damages and safety criticisms raised during the trial, there is no public record of direct regulatory enforcement linked to this legal outcome at this time.
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 8:31:14 PM
Consumer and public reaction to Tesla’s appeal of the $243 million Autopilot crash verdict has been sharply divided. Many critics emphasize the jury’s message, noting Tesla's "history of crashes" and its misleading Autopilot naming, which some see as an ongoing safety issue warranting the $200 million punitive damages[4]. Conversely, some Tesla supporters consider the company’s appeal justified, pointing to the driver being found 67% responsible and Tesla’s claim of "substantial errors of law" during the trial, reflecting a broader debate on liability and Autopilot’s role in accidents[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 8:41:08 PM
Tesla has formally appealed the $243 million verdict against it over a fatal 2019 Autopilot crash, seeking a new trial or dismissal due to what it calls "substantial errors of law and irregularities at trial"[1][2]. The company had previously rejected a $60 million settlement offer before the jury awarded the punitive damages, assigning Tesla one-third of the blame for the crash that killed Neima Benavides Leon and severely injured Dillon Angulo while Autopilot was engaged[1][3]. Tesla maintains it is not at fault and argues the verdict will hinder the deployment of advanced safety technology[3][4].
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 8:51:10 PM
Tesla has formally appealed the $243 million verdict against it in the 2019 Florida Autopilot fatal crash case, filing a detailed 71-page motion seeking to either throw out the verdict, reduce damages, or secure a new trial, citing numerous legal errors during the original trial[1][3]. The case, which involved a Tesla Model S running a stop sign and causing a fatal collision, assigned Tesla 33% responsibility and imposed $200 million in punitive damages, after Tesla had earlier refused a $60 million settlement offer[1][2][4]. Tesla’s legal team argues that the trial was flawed and insists on overturning the verdict, while denying any wrongdoing[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 9:01:13 PM
Tesla has filed an appeal against the $243 million verdict over a 2019 fatal Autopilot crash, seeking dismissal, a new trial, or reduction of damages, arguing numerous legal errors in the Florida federal court case[1][3]. The case, which assigned 33% liability to Tesla and 67% to the driver, has drawn international attention as the first jury verdict directly holding Tesla accountable for Autopilot system failure, with repercussions for global autonomous vehicle regulations and manufacturer liability standards. Tesla’s rejection of a $60 million settlement before trial and its ongoing appeal signal significant tensions in how advanced driver-assistance technologies will be legally managed worldwide[2][4].
🔄 Updated: 8/29/2025, 9:11:14 PM
Tesla's stock initially dipped following the $243 million verdict over the Autopilot crash but showed resilience as the company filed an appeal seeking a new trial or dismissal, with shares recovering about 1.5% on the day of the filing, reflecting investor hope for a reversal or reduction of the damages[1][3]. Market analysts noted that the verdict had cast a shadow on Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions, causing some short-term pressure on its market value, but the appeal introduced uncertainty that tempered a sharper sell-off[3]. Elon Musk’s defense emphasizing driver fault and contesting Autopilot's role helped partly reassure investors, although legal experts warn ongoing litigation could influence Tesla's stock volatility going forward[3][4].
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