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Tesla in Turmoil: Elon Musk Fights Back Against $243 Million Verdict!
Tesla’s High-Stakes Drama: A Fatal Crash, a Damning Verdict, and a Billionaireโs Battle!
In a jaw-dropping legal showdown, the car company helmed by Elon Musk is scrambling to overturn a staggering $243 million verdict handed down by a jury after a horrific crash claimed the life of a 22-year-old student. As details emerge, the stakes couldnโt be higher for the electric giant!
The Shocking Incident: A Night of Stargazing Turns Tragic!
Picture this: a young woman, Naibel Benavides, out stargazing, suddenly hurled through the air by a runaway Tesla outfitted with controversial Autopilot tech, which Musk has touted for years. While the jury held the speeding driver primarily responsible, Tesla was also found culpable due to tech failures.
Teslaโs Desperate Plea: โWeโre the Victims Here!โ
In a dramatic twist, Tesla has filed an explosive motion asking the federal court to toss out the hefty award, claiming that the lawyers representing the victims โmisledโ the jury by dragging Muskโs name into the fray. They argue that this case could spell disaster for innovation and road safety, warning that future juries could start blaming manufacturers for reckless drivers!
Uncovering Hidden Evidence: A Legal Battlefield!
Tesla is firing back with accusations that the opposing lawyers โled the jury astrayโ by introducing โirrelevant evidenceโ concerning lost video data that merely muddled the waters. They insist that the mishap in providing this evidence earlier wasnโt intentional!
Muskโs Gamble: A Pivotal Moment for His Ambitious Plans!
Muskโs risky decision to let this case go to trial comes at a crucial juncture for Tesla as he pushes for driverless robotaxis across America. With many similar suits buried or settled before trial, this case could redefine the future of car liability!
The Rejected $60 Million Offer: A Calculated Risk?
In an astonishing revelation, plaintiff lawyers disclosed that they offered to settle for a mere $60 millionโ an offer Tesla flatly rejected. The final jury award exploded to four times that amount, sending shockwaves through the company!
The Controversial Term โAutopilotโ: A Dangerous Deception?
Plaintiff lawyers are hammering Tesla for using the term โAutopilot,โ suggesting it misleads drivers into overestimating what the tech can do. While they argue that tech should be called โdriver assist,โ critics are raising alarms in Europe too, cautioning that the terminology could be fatal.
Driving Trust into the Ground: A Driverโs Dilemma!
George McGee, the driver behind the wheel during the tragedy, testified he trusted Tesla’s technology too much, believing it would automatically brake if needed. But the defense slammed him for not keeping his eyes on the road while distracted!
Tesla’s Stock Takes a Hit: The Fallout Begins!
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Teslaโs stock plummeted nearly 3.5% in the wake of the court ruling, further shaken by disappointing European sales figures and ongoing boycotts against Musk’s controversial political stances.
Whatโs Next for Musk and Tesla? The Future Hangs in the Balance!
As Tesla fights tooth and nail against this verdict, the outcome could have seismic repercussionsโnot just for Musk but for the entire auto industry as it races toward fully self-driving technology. Buckle up, folks; this is just the beginning!
photo credit: fortune.com
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