Home » US business news » Tesla Settles Autopilot Death Lawsuit
Tesla Settles Autopilot Death Lawsuit
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/usa/us-business-news/tesla-settles-autopilot-death-lawsuit
By Hugh Fort in US business news, posted April 9, 2024
Tesla has settled a lawsuit over to a fatal crash in 2018 involving Apple engineer Walter Huang.
His Model X, while on Autopilot, hit a highway barrier, leading to his death.
The lawsuit was poised for trial in California Superior Court.
It was set to shine a spotlight on Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features.
Details of the settlement remain undisclosed, pending judicial approval.
Tesla maintained Huang had not adhered to the system's usage guidelines, citing his engagement with a video game right before the crash.
The company has a history of successfully defending similar cases by highlighting driver inattention despite warnings.
Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career
This case adds to a series of legal challenges for Tesla concerning its driver-assistance technology.
There are currently ongoing investigations by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into Autopilot-related incidents.
Tesla's longstanding promises of an autonomous vehicle have not yet materialized.
However, in August, Elon Musk announced plans for a self-driving robotaxi.
The lawsuit's resolution happens as Tesla confronts sales downturns.
These have been hit by factors like a factory fire in Europe, shipping issues, and rising competition, leading to multiple price reductions.
Tesla's market performance has notably declined, with a significant share value drop this year.
Tesla has not commented on the settlement.
Follow us on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook