Tesla Ordered to Pay $243M in Autopilot Crash Verdict: Analysts' Mixed Predictions

Tesla faces a $243 million verdict in a lawsuit related to a 2019 crash linked to its Autopilot system. Analysts forecast mixed performance for Tesla's stock, with an average one-year price target of $299.35 and a consensus recommendation of "Hold." GuruFocus estimates a potential downside of 24.32% from the current price, based on historical trading multiples, past business growth, and projected future performance.

Tesla Inc. (TSLA) recently faced a significant setback in a lawsuit related to a 2019 crash involving its Autopilot system. A jury in Miami, Florida, awarded a total of $243 million in damages to the estate of Naibel Benavides Leon and her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, who were injured in the incident. The verdict includes $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages [1].

Tesla had previously rejected a $60 million settlement proposal made by the plaintiffs' legal team. The company maintains that it is not responsible for the crash and has announced its intention to appeal the verdict. The trial marked a significant moment in the accountability of self-driving technology, as it was the first wrongful death case involving a third party and Autopilot to go to trial [1].

The verdict and the rejection of the settlement proposal have raised concerns about the potential impact on Tesla's Autopilot technology and future legal challenges. Analysts have forecasted mixed performance for Tesla's stock, with an average one-year price target of $299.35 and a consensus recommendation of "Hold." GuruFocus estimates a potential downside of 24.32% from the current price, based on historical trading multiples, past business growth, and projected future performance [2].

In contrast, Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology is expected to make significant advancements. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that the upcoming FSD 14 release will outperform human drivers by a factor of two to three, with the potential for FSD 15 to achieve a 10X improvement in safety [3].

The stock market's reaction to the verdict and the company's ongoing legal challenges will be crucial in determining Tesla's future performance. Investors should closely monitor the appeal process and the potential impact on Tesla's Autopilot technology and FSD advancements.

References:
[1] https://news.ssbcrack.com/tesla-rejects-60-million-settlement-proposal-before-243-million-verdict-in-fatal-autopilot-crash-case/
[2] https://teslanorth.com/2025/08/24/tesla-fsd-14-to-surpass-human-drivers-by-2-3x-says-musk/
[3] https://nypost.com/2025/08/25/business/tesla-rejected-60m-settlement-before-losing-243m-in-deadly-autopilot-crash-case/