Community Corner

Don't Hold Text Senders Responsible for Car Accidents, Legislator Says

A state appeals court ruling opened up potential for those who send text messages to be sued if the recipient is involved in a crash.

Should text message senders be accountable for car accidents? A New Jersey appeals court ruling last week may make it easier for those who send a text message to be held civilly liable should the person reading it cause an accident.

However, Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R-11) believes accountability rests squarely with the driver. Casagrande will introduce legislation protecting text message senders from liability, her office announced in a release issued Wednesday.

“This legislation puts the responsibility where it belongs – in the front seat with the driver – not with the sender who can be held culpable for something beyond their control,” Casagrande said in the release.

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