Tesla settles lawsuit over fatal 2018 Autopilot crash, highlighting ongoing safety concerns
From Investing.com: 2024-04-08 19:25:43
Tesla has settled a lawsuit over a 2018 car crash that killed an Apple engineer in a Model X on Autopilot near San Francisco. The trial was halted after five years, with the settlement details remaining undisclosed. The family of the engineer alleged Autopilot steered the vehicle into a barrier, leading to questions about Tesla’s safety measures.
Despite claims that the engineer misused Autopilot by playing a video game before the crash, the lawsuit settlement could set a precedent for other cases concerning Tesla’s driver-assistance technology. The automaker faces numerous legal challenges over Autopilot-related crashes. Legal experts view the settlement as a potential signal to other attorneys considering taking legal action against Tesla.
Tesla has faced criticism and lawsuits for crashes involving its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems. Despite Musk’s promises of producing autonomous vehicles, Tesla has not proven the capability, leading to scrutiny and legal risks. While the Autopilot system can steer, accelerate, and brake on highways, it does not eliminate the need for an attentive human driver, especially in city driving situations.
Elon Musk recently announced plans to unveil Tesla’s full-self-driving robotaxis on August 8, shifting focus from an inexpensive car plan. The legal battles and safety concerns surrounding Tesla’s driver-assistance systems continue to challenge the automaker, highlighting the ongoing debate over the safety and effectiveness of autonomous driving technology.
Read more at Investing.com: Tesla settles case over fatal Autopilot crash of Apple engineer By Reuters