Indiana court: cell-phone companies not responsible for auto accident

Terry Williams collided with Kellie Meagher, who was allegedly talking on a Cingular phone at the time — so Williams sued Cingular. Neither the trial court nor the Court of Appeals was impressed, even after Williams submitted a Blondie comic strip in support of the cause. The court noted that it wouldn’t impose liability on […]

Terry Williams collided with Kellie Meagher, who was allegedly talking on a Cingular phone at the time — so Williams sued Cingular. Neither the trial court nor the Court of Appeals was impressed, even after Williams submitted a Blondie comic strip in support of the cause. The court noted that it wouldn’t impose liability on a mapmaker for a driver who causes an accident while looking at a map. (Kevin Corcoran, “Court: Don’t blame cell-phone maker for crash”, Indianapolis Star, Jun. 5). However, plaintiffs have successfully sued employers in other cases where employees were using cell phones while driving. (Matt Sundeen, “Cell Phones and Highway Safety: 2003 State Legislative Update”, NCSL, Jan. 2004).

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