Tesla Rejected $60M Settlement Before Facing $242.5M Autopilot Verdict
Missed Opportunity to Settle
Months before a Florida jury awarded $242.5 million against Tesla in connection with a 2019 fatal crash, the company had the option to resolve the dispute for far less. According to new court documents, Tesla declined a $60 million settlement offer presented in May. These details were disclosed in a recent filing requesting that Tesla cover the plaintiffs’ legal fees — a development first reported by Reuters 1.
The Fatal Crash and Court Case
The case centered on a tragic 2019 accident involving a Tesla Model S operating with Autopilot enabled. The vehicle failed to stop at an intersection and collided with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Two bystanders, Neima Benavides Leon and Dillon Angulo, were standing by the roadside at the time of impact. Leon lost her life, while Angulo sustained serious injuries.
Although the driver was not part of this lawsuit — facing a separate case for his role — the focus remained on Tesla’s Autopilot system. In 2021, the victims’ families filed suit, arguing that Autopilot had failed to properly intervene.
Jury’s Decision and Liability Split
Earlier this month, a federal jury in Miami determined that Tesla shared responsibility for the crash. The verdict assigned two-thirds of the blame to the driver and one-third to Tesla, awarding the plaintiffs $242.5 million in damages.
Tesla’s Response and Next Steps
Following the decision, Tesla issued a statement to TechCrunch, confirming its intention to challenge the outcome:
“Given the substantial errors of law and irregularities at trial, [Tesla] plans to appeal the verdict.”
Requests for further comment have gone unanswered. The automaker disbanded its in-house communications team years ago, and an external PR agency has redirected inquiries to Tesla’s general press address.
Case Background
The lawsuit, formally filed as case 1:21-cv-21940-BB in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, underscores the legal and financial risks Tesla faces over its driver assistance technology. The company’s choice to reject the earlier $60 million settlement offer may intensify scrutiny over its litigation strategy.
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