Tesla Held Liable: $329 Million Verdict in Florida Autopilot Crash

In a landmark decision, a Florida jury has found Tesla liable for a fatal 2019 crash involving its Autopilot system, ordering the electric vehicle giant to pay $329 million in damages. The case, tried in a Miami federal court, represents the first jury verdict regarding the wrongful death of a third party attributed to Tesla's self-driving technology.

The plaintiffs, representing the estate of Naibel Benavides Leon and her former boyfriend Dillon Angulo, had sought $345 million. On Friday, jurors awarded $129 million in compensatory damages and an additional $200 million in punitive damages after finding Tesla at fault alongside the vehicle's driver, George McGee.

This ruling may challenge Tesla's efforts to secure leadership in the autonomous vehicle industry, with experts suggesting it will encourage further litigation. Tesla, which announced plans to appeal, saw its shares fall by 1.8% following the verdict.

(With inputs from agencies.)