Hello friends! Today, let’s dive into the latest twists in a high-stakes court case involving Tesla and its Autopilot system.

Tesla has asked a judge to overturn or re-execute a hefty $243 million verdict against them, stemming from a 2019 Florida crash. The company’s legal team claims the jury’s decision contradicts Florida law and basic fairness principles.

Electing to shift blame onto driver George McGee, Tesla’s lawyers argue he was reckless by reaching for his phone during the accident, which they say was a significant factor in the crash. The jury placed most fault on McGee, with Tesla bearing one-third of the responsibility.

The case involved a deadly collision where McGee, using Autopilot on his Tesla Model S, failed to stop at a stop sign, resulting in a crash that killed Naibel Benavides Leon and injured her boyfriend. Tesla settled separately with the victims but recently rejected a $60 million settlement offer from them.

In the court filings, Tesla contends that auto manufacturers shouldn’t be penalized when drivers misuse their vehicles, warning that the verdict could discourage innovation and safety advancements. They also criticized opposing lawyers for overwhelming the jury with irrelevant or prejudicial evidence, diminishing the case’s focus.

Brett Schreiber, representing the victims, responded by condemning Tesla’s approach and emphasizing that the jury’s verdict acknowledged shared responsibility but also highlighted Tesla’s role in the incident’s severity. He reaffirmed confidence that the court would uphold justice.

This legal battle underscores the ongoing debate over autopilot technology’s safety and manufacturers’ responsibilities, making it a pivotal case for the future of autonomous driving.