Tesla Found Guilty: Jury Asks Electric Car Giant To Pay Rs. 370 Crore To Victims Of Autopilot Crash
Jury Holds Tesla Partially Liable in Landmark Case
Tesla has been dealt a major legal blow after a Florida jury ordered the company to pay $243 million in damages over a 2019 fatal crash involving its Autopilot system. The ruling marks the first time a jury has held Tesla responsible in such a case, and it could set the tone for a wave of future lawsuits challenging the safety and marketing of its driver assistance technology.
The verdict was delivered on 1 August 2025 by a federal jury in Miami, which found Tesla 33 percent at fault. The rest of the blame was assigned to the driver, George McGee. The compensation includes $129 million in actual damages and $200 million in punitive damages.
Tragic Incident Sparks Legal Reckoning
The case centred on a crash that occurred in Key Largo, Florida, on 25 April 2019. McGee’s Tesla Model S sped through a T-intersection at over 60 mph with Autopilot engaged. It struck a stationary Chevrolet Tahoe, killing 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and severely injuring her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo. Benavides Leon was thrown nearly 75 feet and died at the scene. Angulo sustained a brain injury and multiple fractures.
McGee admitted in court that he had dropped his phone and bent down to retrieve it while Autopilot was active. During those seconds of inattention, the car accelerated through flashing lights and a stop sign before colliding with the parked SUV.
Autopilot’s Capabilities Put on Trial
Tesla’s Autopilot system became the core issue during the trial. Plaintiff attorneys argued that Tesla misled customers by allowing Autopilot to operate on roads it wasn’t designed for. They also cited public statements by CEO Elon Musk suggesting that Autopilot was safer than human drivers.
McGee testified that he saw Autopilot as a co-pilot that would assist him in emergencies. He stated that he felt the system failed him. The plaintiffs used this argument to show how Tesla’s marketing created an unrealistic perception of Autopilot’s capabilities.
Tesla countered that McGee had overridden Autopilot by pressing the accelerator and was speeding at the time. The company stressed that all Autopilot warnings advise drivers to remain attentive with hands on the wheel.
Wider Implications for Tesla’s Self-Driving Ambitions
This is not just a single court loss for Tesla. The company’s future plans are closely tied to its autonomous driving programme. Trials of robotaxi services are already underway in Austin and San Francisco. Tesla’s valuation, hovering around $1 trillion, is based partly on expectations that full self-driving technology will deliver future growth.
The ruling may lead to increased scrutiny of Tesla’s driver assistance features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating crashes involving Autopilot since 2021. In 2023, Tesla recalled over 2 million vehicles to enhance driver attention monitoring systems.
Legal and Reputational Fallout Begins
Tesla plans to appeal, calling the decision “wrong” and warning that it could set back the advancement of automotive safety technologies. But the verdict has opened the door for more lawsuits. Legal experts believe this ruling could influence courts to demand stricter standards for semi-autonomous systems.
The naming of features such as “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” has long been criticised for misleading consumers. This case highlights the real-world consequences of that branding when combined with incomplete technology and overreliance by drivers.
For Tesla, the outcome is not just financial but reputational. As more automakers develop advanced driver-assist systems, pressure will increase to clearly define capabilities and limits. Tesla’s lead in this space may now come with legal and regulatory challenges it can no longer dismiss.