Tesla settles lawsuits over deadly Autopilot crashes
- Tesla reached confidential settlements for two lawsuits related to fatal crashes involving its Autopilot software.
- One case involved a 15-year-old boy who died after his vehicle was struck by a Tesla Model 3 using Autopilot.
- The settlements reflect the ongoing legal challenges facing Tesla as it seeks to expand its autonomous driving technology.
In California, Elon Musk's Tesla has recently settled two lawsuits concerning fatal accidents associated with its Autopilot driver-assistance software. These lawsuits originated from separate incidents that took place in 2019, with both involving tragic outcomes. The first case resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy in Alameda County, where a Tesla Model 3 on Autopilot rear-ended the vehicle the boy was traveling in with his father. This collision caused their vehicle to roll over, leading to the boy succumbing to his injuries. The second lawsuit is linked to a high-speed crash in Gardena, California, where the Autopilot-enabled Tesla Model S failed to stop at a red light and struck a Honda Civic, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. Details regarding the settlements have not been made public, but court documents reveal that the dismissals of these lawsuits were contingent upon the fulfillment of specific terms. Before the settlements, both cases were scheduled to go to trial in the upcoming month in their respective courts. Following this resolution, the presiding judge in the Alameda case canceled the planned trial, while both parties agreed in the Los Angeles case to retract their petitions. The outcomes of these lawsuits come on the heels of a previous verdict in Florida, where a jury mandated Tesla to pay a significant amount in damages for another fatal collision involving a Model S utilizing Autopilot. This verdict in Florida has compelled Tesla to hire a team of prominent lawyers to appeal the case, reflecting the company's unease over how these legal battles could impact its reputation and market valuation. The company's future, particularly its plans for expanding its robotaxi fleet and advancing its full self-driving technology, hinges on public perception and legal outcomes surrounding the Autopilot feature. The recent settlements, alongside the verdict in Florida, underline the challenges Tesla faces as it strives to achieve its ambitious goals in autonomous driving technology amidst ongoing scrutiny and legal issues.