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Another Texting While Driving Scenario

Updated July 30, 2020 | By Wilson Kehoe Winingham staff

In Indiana, texting and driving was made illegal as of July 2010. If you cause an automobile accident while texting, you could be liable for texting.

However, what about the person who is texting you? Can they also be held liable?

Texting and Driving Court Case

Let’s look at a court case involving texting and driving:

In 2012, a New Jersey judge ruled a teenager who texted her boyfriend could not be held responsible for an accident he caused while reading the text message that she sent.

David and Linda Kuber lost parts of their legs during a 2009 crash in New Jersey after 19-year-old Kyle Best sideswiped their car when driving while texting. However, Kyle wasn’t typing or sending a text. He was reading a text message sent from his girlfriend, Shannon Colonna. Shannon knew Kyle was on his way home from work and driving. The Kuber’s attorney argued: “She wasn’t physically in the car, she was electronically present. She and he were assisting each other in a violation of the law.”

Lack of Legal Precedent

There’s no precedent for a lot of legal areas in the digital age.

The Kuber’s attorney used the word “assisting” when making his argument—similar to aiding and abetting. For example, a man who knowingly holds the door open during a bank robbery is just as likely to be convicted of bank robbery as the safe-cracker.

Judge David Rand said, “Drivers are bombarded with all forms of distractions. I find that there was no aiding, abetting here in the legal sense. I find it is unreasonable to impose a duty upon the defendant in this case under these facts. Were I to extend this duty, in my judgment, any form of distraction could potentially serve as basis of a liability case.”

Plans to Appeal

David and Linda Kuber plan to appeal the decision once the lawsuit against the driver has been decided. The Court of Appeals could overturn the decision of the trial court. Other states’ courts could also come to a different conclusion.

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a car accident, you are urged to contact the attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. An Indianapolis car accident lawyer from WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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