Benavides v. Tesla

The 2019 crash in Key Largo, Florida, involving Tesla's autopilot system, became a landmark case in outlining corporate responsibility in AV technology. In August 2025, a Miami federal jury delivered a verdict that redefined legal liability for autonomous vehicles.

An image of the crashed Tesla

On March 1, 2019, a Tesla Model S operating on Autopilot ran a stop sign and collided with a parked Chevrolet Tahoe. Standing nearby were Naibel Benavides and Dillon Angulo. Benavides was killed instantly, while Angulo suffered catastrophic injuries. The driver claimed reliance on Tesla’s Autopilot system, which failed to prevent the collision.

After a three-week trial, the jury found Tesla 33% liable for the crash, awarding $243 million in damages to the victims’ families. This marked the first time Tesla was held accountable in a jury trial for Autopilot-related fatalities. The verdict was part of a larger $329 million damages award, with Tesla responsible for a portion. Tesla has since appealed, arguing that the driver ignored warnings and misused the system, while plaintiffs maintained that Tesla overstated Autopilot’s capabilities and misled consumers.

Key Takeaways

Liability Shift: Courts are beginning to hold manufacturers accountable for system failures, not just drivers.

Consumer Trust: Overstated safety claims can erode public confidence in autonomous vehicles

Policy Implications: Regulators may push for stricter driver monitoring and transparency about AV limitations

Precedent setting: This case is likely to influence future litigation involving AVs and advanced driver-assistance systems.