Tesla Autopilot Fatal Accident, 45.8 Billion Won Compensation Ruling
Tesla has partially acknowledged responsibility for a fatal accident related to its driving assistance system, Autopilot, and is required to pay a significant compensation.
On the 1st (local time) at a federal court in Miami, the jury ordered Tesla to pay $329 million (approximately 45.8 billion won) in damages.
This ruling stems from a determination that Tesla bears 33% of the responsibility for a fatal accident involving Autopilot that occurred in Florida in 2019.
The compensation consists of $129 million in damages and $200 million in punitive damages. The plaintiffs initially sought approximately $345 million in compensation.
The jury found that defects in Tesla's Autopilot technology were a contributing cause of the accident and concluded that not all responsibility could be placed solely on the driver, even with evidence of driver negligence.
Defect in Autopilot Technology as a Partial Cause of Accident
The safety controversy surrounding Tesla's Autopilot has escalated.
This lawsuit is related to an accident that occurred on a two-lane road in South Florida in 2019.
At the time, a Tesla Model S vehicle, driving at night, collided with an SUV parked by the roadside, subsequently hitting a young couple standing nearby, resulting in the woman's death and the man's serious injury.
It was revealed that at the time of the accident, the driver was on the phone and had bent down to retrieve the dropped phone.
The plaintiffs argued that the Autopilot system failed to adequately detect the road boundaries and obstacles ahead, and that Tesla did not sufficiently inform the driver about the risks of using Autopilot.
On the other hand, Tesla contended that the accident was entirely the fault of the negligent driver, but the jury ultimately sided with the plaintiffs.
In a statement released immediately following the ruling, Tesla described the decision as "incorrect" and asserted that it undermines automotive safety and threatens efforts to develop and implement lifesaving technologies within Tesla and the entire industry, indicating plans to appeal.
This ruling, issued after three weeks of trial, could be a significant turning point in lawsuits against Tesla by victims of accidents.
Most similar lawsuits initiated over the past few years have been settled or dismissed by the courts, making cases that reach jury trials rare.
According to CNBC, there are currently over ten lawsuits related to traffic accidents that occur while Tesla's Autopilot or advanced driving assistance software, FSD, is in operation.
Miguel Custodio, an attorney unrelated to this lawsuit, forecasted in an interview with the AP that this ruling may open the floodgates for lawsuits against Tesla, stating, "It will encourage many people to file lawsuits in court."
Image Source: Reference photos for understanding the article (Model X) / Tesla, Elon Musk / Getty Images Korea, Reference photos for understanding the article / Getty Images Bank
