Tesla has lost an opportunity to drop the $243M Autopilot lawsuit

A judge has denied Tesla’s request to drop the a Jury verdict of $243 million which led the automaker to an accident caused by its driver assistance system.

“The grounds for relief relied upon by Tesla are the same as those previously asserted by Tesla at trial and in their briefs for summary judgment — arguments previously considered and rejected,” he said. Hon. Judge Beth Bloom’s decision they read. “Furthermore, Tesla does not provide additional reasons or remedial orders that would compel this Court to reverse its previous rulings or jury verdicts.”

Last August, the jury handed down a verdict of $243 million against Tesla for his culpability in the 2019 fatal crash in Florida that killed Naibel Benavides and seriously injured Dillon Angulo. The jury awarded the driver two-thirds of the blame, and Tesla one-third. In particular, the jury considered damages against Tesla.

Tesla’s lawyers argued, in a request to change the decision, that the blame was on the driver, who contributed to the accident.