Tesla could have avoided that $242.5M Autopilot verdict, filings show

In a recent case, Tesla was found liable for a fatal crash involving its Autopilot feature. According to court filings, Tesla could have potentially avoided the $242.5 million verdict if it had taken certain actions. The case centered around a 2019 collision in which a Tesla vehicle crashed into a fire truck, resulting in the death of the driver. The plaintiffs argued that Tesla's Autopilot feature was defective and contributed to the accident. The jury ultimately awarded the plaintiffs $242.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages. However, court documents suggest that Tesla may have been able to mitigate the verdict if it had taken steps such as improving Autopilot's safety features or providing more comprehensive warnings to drivers. The case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the safety and reliability of autonomous driving technologies. While Tesla has maintained that Autopilot is a valuable feature, the verdict suggests that the company may need to address concerns about its performance and potential vulnerabilities.