Tesla Resolves Another Fatal Car Collision Lawsuit Prior to Jury Hearing
Tesla Reaches Confidential Settlement in California Crash Case
Tesla Inc. has announced a confidential settlement with the family of a teenager who was killed in a 2019 California crash involving a Model 3 on Autopilot. The settlement does not affect the ongoing US auto safety investigation over Tesla's door handles, nor does it impact Tesla's challenge of the verdict from the federal jury in Miami.
The tragic incident occurred on Interstate I-880 in Alameda County. Benjamin Maldonado and his 15-year-old son Jovani were driving in a Ford Explorer. Traffic was slowing down when Maldonado activated his blinker to move right. A Tesla Model 3 using Autopilot driver-assistance software struck Maldonado's car seconds later. Jovani was ejected from the passenger seat and died as a result of the collision.
This is not the first time Tesla has settled a case involving a fatal accident blamed on defective technology. In July, Tesla suffered a significant setback when a federal jury in Miami found the company partially responsible for a fatal collision. However, Tesla prevailed in two California trials in 2023 over Autopilot crashes.
The settlement was disclosed in court filings to avoid a jury trial over the fatal wreck. The trial scheduled in Alameda County Superior Court has been avoided due to the settlement. The settlement amount in this case was not disclosed.
It's important to note that the settlement and the US auto safety investigation are separate matters. The ongoing investigation over Tesla's door handles is not related to the settlement reached in this case. Similarly, the settlement does not affect the outcome of the US auto safety investigation.
Tesla is currently challenging the $200 million in punitive damages imposed by a federal jury in Miami. The jury's decision is being contested, and the settlement does not affect Tesla's ongoing challenge of the verdict.
This settlement marks another chapter in Tesla's journey with Autopilot, a driver-assistance technology that has been the subject of numerous investigations and controversies. As Tesla continues to develop and refine its autonomous driving capabilities, it will undoubtedly face more challenges and opportunities in the future.
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