Is Tesla Liable for Autopilot Accidents?

Product Liability and Auto Defect Lawyers are investigating new claims of Tesla Autopilot Accidents that result in serious injury. Tesla is currently facing numerous high-profile lawsuits over alleged Autopilot malfunctions. A huge settlement was handed down this week in a case involving a fatal 2019 Tesla crash, marking a pivotal moment for Tesla and the broader autonomous vehicle industry, raising critical questions about Autopilot safety, corporate responsibility, and autonomous vehicle regulation transparency.

Understanding Tesla Autopilot Accidents Lawsuits

In 2019, a Tesla Model S crashed in Key Largo, Florida. A 22-year-old was killed, and her boyfriend was severely injured. The driver had supposedly engaged Autopilot on his Tesla while distracted by a dropped phone, leading the vehicle to blow through an intersection at over 60 miles per hour, striking the victims’ parked SUV.

This week, a Miami federal jury found Tesla partially liable, assigning it one-third of the blame and ordering the company to pay $243 million in damages—$43 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. This verdict marks the first federal jury decision on an Autopilot-related wrongful death, and is a huge body blow to Tesla’s long-standing defense that drivers bear sole responsibility, even when they engage autonomous features.

Tesla is vowing to appeal, arguing that the driver alone was negligent, and that the sole cause of the accident was excessive speed and possibly overriding Autopilot with the accelerator. The Plaintiffs’ attorneys in the case countered that Tesla’s marketing claims their cars’ Autopilot outperforms human drivers, a claim that can easily mislead users into overreliance.

The jury’s decision was based on allegations that software design flaws and inadequate warnings contributed to the tragedy. This single ruling could embolden other victims and plaintiffs in future Autopilot accident lawsuits, with experts predicting a surge in personal injury filings, just in time for Tesla’s huge push to promote their ambitious robotaxi plans in the coming months.

Is Tesla Autopilot safe to use?

Tesla frames Autopilot as a safety innovation, highlighting lower collision rates when used properly and labeling them the “safest cars in the world.” Whether Tesla Autopilot is safe to use remains a debated topic, with consumers balancing its technological promise against documented road safety risks. Autopilot, Tesla’s unique semi-autonomous driving system, uses cameras, radar, and sensors to assist drivers with steering, acceleration, and braking, marketed to the public as a safety-enhancing tool.

Tesla has noted that their vehicles require hands-on monitoring, but data shows overreliance—drivers engaging in distractions like texting— which can obviously contribute to more accidents. And so, safety concerns persist. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has investigated 956 Autopilot-related incidents since 2019, including at least 13 fatal accidents.

Regulators, like the California DMV, have investigated Tesla’s marketing, which could lead to stricter autonomous car oversight. While the company may tout innovation, safety officials see a need for transparency and accountability.

Is Tesla Autopilot Prone to Malfunction?

Tesla Autopilot, while typically a reliable semi-autonomous driving system, has been known to malfunction under certain conditions. Relying heavily on cameras, radar, and sensors to handle steering, acceleration, and braking, the system’s performance depends on a myriad of changing factors, including software limitations, and driver oversight. Below are some documented ways Autopilot can malfunction, based on accident investigations, crash reports, and expert analyses:

• Failure to Detect Obstacles in Road: Some Teslas have struggled to identify stationary objects, such as parked emergency vehicles or construction barriers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted cases where Autopilot failed to stop, leading to collisions—like the 2023 California incident where a Model Y struck a fire truck. This stems from a reliance on camera-based vision, which can misjudge low-contrast or obscured objects.
• Misjudging Lane Markings: In poor weather or unmarked roads, Autopilot may misinterpret lane lines, causing unintended lane departures. A 2021 NHTSA report highlighted a crash where Autopilot veered off course on a poorly marked highway, contributing to a fatal accident. Software updates aim to address this, but real-world variability remains a challenge.
• Overreliance on Driver Inattention: Autopilot requires constant driver supervision, yet it can malfunction if users become distracted.
• Sudden Disengagement: The driver assist system can unexpectedly deactivate in critical moments, transferring control back to the driver without warning.
• Sensor Malfunction: Rain, dirt, or snow can obscure cameras and sensors, leading to blind spots.
• Software Bugs: Occasional coding errors or untested updates can trigger malfunctions. A 2023 recall of 2 million vehicles addressed a bug allowing Autopilot use in inappropriate settings.

How Common are Tesla Autopilot Accidents?

The exact number of Tesla Autopilot accidents is difficult to verify due to varying data sources and ongoing investigations. The Washington Post reported 736 crashes involving Autopilot since 2019, with at least 17 fatalities, while a Car and Driver report from 2023 aligned with this, noting 736 crashes and 17 deaths by that point.

Tesla claims Autopilot reduces crash rates, citing a safety report showing one crash per 3.35 to 7.44 million miles with Autopilot engaged, compared to the U.S. average of one per 481,000 to 702,000 miles. This data suggests a significant safety edge when used correctly. The system’s ability to detect lane markings and maintain distance has the ability to prevent accidents in controlled conditions, but that may be where the technology is limited: optimal when operating in a controlled condition. Critics are quick to note that Autopilot’s reliance on clear road markings and its occasional disengagement before crashes indicate vehicle safety limitations, especially in adverse weather or complex scenarios.

Can I File a Lawsuit Following an Autopilot Accident?

Taking legal action against Tesla for an Autopilot-related accident can be considered, but success depends on specific circumstances. Contact our auto defect lawyers to investigate your unique case and to start building a strong case on your behalf. We represent clients in all fifty states, and we have the resources and experience to push for a quick and rightful settlement.

You may have grounds to file a claim if you or a loved one were injured or killed in a Tesla Autopilot accident. Lawsuits filed against automakers in these cases typically fall into two categories: product liability for injuries or deaths, and class action claims over misleading marketing.

Product liability lawsuits have argued in the past that Tesla’s design or software defects have caused accidents. The recent Florida jury decision held Tesla one-third liable, suggesting courts are increasingly open to this argument, especially if evidence shows Tesla knew of limitations but promoted Autopilot as near-autonomous. Proving Tesla’s liability in Autopilot accidents is not exactly easy, however. Courts have often sided with Tesla, attributing crashes to driver error, and many cases have been thrown out.

If you believe you have a viable case, collect all relevant purchase records and accident details—photos, police reports, or medical records. Consult our experienced personal injury and product liability attorneys experienced in automotive cases and we can assess your case in a free consultation.