Hey followers! Today, let’s dive into the fascinating story about Tesla and a legal case that could have been avoided with a simple settlement. Grab a snack and enjoy the ride!

Months before a jury awarded Tesla a hefty 242.5 million dollars for a fatal crash, the automaker had a chance to settle for just 60 million. But Tesla turned down that offer, according to recent legal documents first reported by Reuters.

In May, Tesla rejected the settlement proposal that would have covered legal costs for the plaintiffs. This case, filed in 2021, involved Autopilot, Tesla’s driver assistance feature, which was blamed for a deadly 2019 crash in Miami. The incident happened when a Model S with Autopilot crashed into a stationary vehicle, resulting in a fatality and severe injuries to the passengers outside the car at the time.

The lawsuit accused Tesla of failing to brake in time despite Autopilot being engaged. The jury found Tesla partly responsible, assigning one-third of the blame to the company, with the rest two-thirds pointing to the driver. The jury’s decision led to the staggering verdict. Tesla announced plans to appeal, citing legal errors and irregularities at trial.

This case highlights how avoiding a minimal settlement could have saved Tesla significant legal and financial trouble. The case number is 1:21-cv-21940-BB, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving story of Tesla’s legal battles and innovations in autonomous driving tech! And remember, sometimes a quick settlement can steer you away from a big mess!