For the first time in a Tesla Autopilot case, a court has ruled that misrepresentation claims and punitive damages can proceed to trial against Tesla for allegedly lying about the capabilities of its self-driving technology. The ruling held that a jury can decide whether the Tesla driver relied on false and overstated claims by Tesla and Musk about the vehicle's autonomous driving capabilities, constituting "a triable issue of material fact."
The landmark decision comes from an Alameda County Superior Court judge in the case of Jovani Maldonado, a 15-year-old who was killed when a Tesla on Autopilot struck his family's Ford pickup truck on the freeway in 2019.
In the ruling finalized on March 27th, 2025, Judge Rebekah Evenson determined that it is reasonable for a jury to decide on whether "purported fraudulent misrepresentations were made by Elon Musk” that led the Tesla driver to believe that Autopilot can drive itself. This direct connection between Musk's statements and potential punitive damages presents unprecedented legal exposure for the company for falsely marketing its self-driving technology.
The ruling carries significant implications for corporate accountability in the autonomous vehicle industry:
1. It marks the first time a jury will consider whether Tesla and Musk's statements about Autopilot constituted fraud.
2. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are designed to punish corporations for gross misconduct and deter similar behavior.
3. The court recognized that Tesla can be liable to crash victims who weren't directly misled by their marketing.
The case involves a tragic incident where Maldonado was traveling with his father, when a Tesla, with autopilot engaged, failed to recognize or stop before colliding with the rear end of their truck. The impact ejected Maldonado from the vehicle, resulting in his death.
“The Court's decision is a significant step toward justice, finding sufficient evidence for a jury to determine whether Tesla and Elon Musk's misrepresentations about Autopilot capabilities led to the crash that took Jovani's life and whether punitive damages should be imposed for this fraudulent conduct,” said partner Brett Schreiber, the lead attorney representing the Maldonado family in this case. “We look forward to presenting evidence at trial that will demonstrate to the jury the merits of our claims and hold Tesla accountable for this tragedy.” As this first-of-its-kind case moves toward trial on August 11, 2025, it represents a crucial test of whether companies that make exaggerated claims about automated driving technology can be held fully accountable when those claims contribute to fatal crashes.