Texting while driving is a serious and growing problem on our streets and highways. Most states have laws prohibiting it. Now, in New Jersey, those who knowingly text someone who is driving could run into legal trouble.
According to a recent ruling by the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court, “If the sender knows that the recipient is both driving and will read the text immediately then the sender has taken a foreseeable risk in sending a text at the time.”
Translation? If you send a text message to someone you know is driving at the time and they cause an accident while reading your message, you could be held liable for damages in a civil suit.
The laws on texting and driving are evolving. However, our advice on the subject remains constant: Never text while driving. Never text or call anyone if you know they are behind the wheel. They could end up in an accident. You could end up getting sued.