Tesla Ordered to Pay $243 Million in Fatal Autopilot Crash Case

The verdict is a rare win for victims of accidents involving Autopilot. Musk has been pushing to rapidly expand Tesla's recently launched robo taxi business based on an advanced version of its driver assistance software.

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Tesla shares fell 1.8% on Friday, and are down 25% this year.

Jurors in Miami federal court awarded the estate of Naibel Benavides Leon, as well as her former boyfriend Dillon Angulo, $129 million in compensatory damages plus $200 million in punitive damages, according to a verdict sheet.

Tesla was held liable for 33% of the compensatory damages, or $42.6 million.

Jurors found the driver George McGee liable for 67%, but he was not a defendant and will not have to pay his share.

"Tesla designed Autopilot only for controlled-access highways yet deliberately chose not to restrict drivers from using it elsewhere, alongside Elon Musk telling the world Autopilot drove better than humans," Brett Schreiber, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in a statement.

"Today's verdict represents justice for Naibel's tragic death and Dillon's lifelong injuries," he added.

Tesla said it will appeal.

"Today's verdict is wrong and only works to set back automotive safety and jeopardize Tesla's and the entire industry's efforts to develop and implement life-saving technology," the company said.

The plaintiffs had sought $345 million of damages. Their lawyers said the trial was the first involving the wrongful death of a third party resulting from Autopilot.

Tesla has faced many similar lawsuits over its vehicles' self-driving capabilities, but they have been resolved or dismissed without getting to trial.

In June, a judge rejected Tesla's bid to dismiss the Florida case. Experts said Friday's verdict may spur more lawsuits, and could make future settlements more costly.