Tesla has a history of handling Autopilot lawsuits differently than it did in the Key Largo crash. The company just suffered one of its biggest defeats in court, and the lawyer representing the plaintiffs has a lot to say. Earlier this month, a Florida jury ruled that the family of Naibel Benavides and crash survivor Dillon Angulo were entitled to an award that could total as much as $243 million after George McGee crashed his Tesla into a vehicle they were standing outside of in 2019. McGee testified that he had Autopilot engaged when he killed the 22-year-old Benavides in Key Largo, but his eyes were off the road while he looked for the cellphone he had dropped. While Tesla argued that data showed McGee had his foot on the accelerator, overriding Autopilot, in the moments before his vehicle crashed at over 60 mph, the jury found Tesla 33% responsible for the crash. This isn't the first time Tesla has been sued over Autopilot. Tesla has a history of Autopilot lawsuits and settlements. From July 2021 to July 2022, according to the law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy, there were at least 273 reported accidents involving Tesla Autopilot or self-driving technology. Tesla has been involved in numerous settlements, some confidential, over its self-driving technology. A $10.5 million settlement in California 2023 involved a Tesla Model X with Autopilot engaged that hit a highway barrier, killing the driver. The family claimed Autopilot failed to detect the obstacle and that Tesla misrepresented its capabilities. Another $8.2 million settlement in California 2022 involved a pedestrian killed in a crosswalk by a Tesla Model 3 with Autopilot engaged that didn't stop or alert the driver until it was too late. A $7.5 million settlement in California 2021 involved a Tesla Model S with Autopilot engaged rear-ending a stopped vehicle at high speed, instantly killing the passenger. There was no evidence that the car even tried to brake before the collision. A $6.8 million settlement in California 2020 involved a Tesla Model X with Autopilot engaged crashing into a parked fire truck. The driver survived, but the passenger died from blunt force trauma. Tesla is expected to appeal the Florida verdict, but attorney Brett Schreiber, who represented the plaintiffs, is already taking a victory lap. After uploading a celebratory Instagram post after the verdict, Schreiber gave an in-depth interview to The Verge detailing the impact of the jury's decision. Tesla usually avoids Autopilot litigation, but the Key Largo, Florida case was different. The company approached Schreiber with a settlement offer, but the plaintiffs turned it down. Schreiber said the case hinged on the gap between what Tesla promised Autopilot could do and its actual capabilities. There is a difference between the Tesla presented in the showroom and the Tesla presented in the courtroom, according to Schreiber.

Tesla usually settles Autopilot lawsuits, but Key Largo case was different

Tesla has faced one of its largest legal setbacks in a Florida court case involving its Autopilot feature, where a jury ruled that the company is 33% responsible for a 2019 crash that killed Naibel Benavides and injured Dillon Angulo. The crash occurred when George McGee, driving a Tesla with Autopilot engaged, struck a vehicle outside a property in Key Largo. McGee claimed he was looking for a dropped cellphone and had his eyes off the road, while Tesla argued data showed he had his foot on the accelerator. Despite Tesla's claims, the jury found Tesla liable for 33% of the incident. This verdict marks a significant departure from Tesla's typical approach to Autopilot-related lawsuits, which have historically resulted in settlements. The plaintiffs, represented by attorney Brett Schreiber, rejected a settlement offer from Tesla, citing a gap between Tesla's marketing of Autopilot and its actual performance. Tesla is expected to appeal the decision, but Schreiber has celebrated the outcome, highlighting the perceived misrepresentation of the technology's capabilities.