Allegations of Overhype and Design Flaws
Throughout the trial, Benavides’ family and Angulo argued Autopilot was defectively designed. They contended Tesla permitted drivers to activate the system on roads for which it was not intended, including Card Sound Road, and failed to adequately monitor whether drivers were paying attention.
They also argued Tesla — and CEO Elon Musk — overstated Autopilot’s capabilities despite known vulnerabilities, “setting the stage” for the fatal crash.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Brett Schreiber said the ruling was no surprise.
“Tesla’s arguments were simply an attempt to relitigate the court’s pretrial rulings,” Schreiber said, adding that his team intends to continue pursuing accountability in courts nationwide.
Legal Teams
The plaintiffs are represented by Adam T. Boumel and Todd Poses of Poses Boumel; Brett Schreiber, Satyasrinivas M. Hanumadass and Carmela S. Birnbaum of Singleton Schreiber LLP; and Douglas F. Eaton of Eaton & Wolk PL.
Tesla’s counsel includes Wendy F. Lumish, Whitney V. Cruz, Thomas P. Branigan, Drew P. Branigan and Joel Smith of Bowman and Brooke LLP; Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., Julian W. Poon, Miguel A. Estrada and Thomas H. Dupree Jr. of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP; and Paul D. Clement of Clement & Murphy PLLC.
As autonomous technology races forward, the courtroom battle underscores a stark reminder: innovation may move at high speed, but accountability follows close behind.
