Tesla Autopilot Accident Settlements

Tesla Autopilot accident settlements have reached historic levels, with the August 2024 $243 million Benavides verdict setting powerful precedent. Understanding settlement factors helps victims evaluate their claims realistically.

The $243M Verdict Precedent

In August 2024, a jury awarded $243 million to a Tesla owner after Autopilot failed to detect a stalled vehicle, causing severe injuries. The verdict rejected Tesla's "driver must pay attention" defense, establishing that Autopilot's marketing creates reasonable safety expectations.

Settlement Factors

• Injury severity and permanence
• Autopilot/FSD failure type (phantom braking, detection failure)
• Tesla's prior knowledge of specific failure mode
• State product liability law strength
• Your comparative fault (if any)

Settlement Ranges by Injury

• Moderate injuries with recovery: $75,000-$250,000
• Serious injuries requiring surgery: $250,000-$750,000
• Permanent disability: $750,000-$5M
• Catastrophic injury: $5M-$50M+
• Wrongful death: $3M-$25M+

NHTSA Investigation Evidence

NHTSA's findings that Tesla's driver monitoring is "inadequate" strengthen all Autopilot claims. The resulting 2-million-vehicle recall proves systemic defects.

Why Tesla May Settle

• Avoid negative publicity damaging brand
• Prevent precedent-setting jury verdicts
• Limit discovery of internal communications
• Control damage from NHTSA investigation evidence

Why Tesla May Fight

Tesla aggressively defends Autopilot claims, arguing: drivers must remain attentive per warnings, Autopilot is "Level 2" assistance (not autonomous), and driver misuse—not defects—caused crashes. The $243M verdict rejected these defenses.