Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog

The New York Times recently discussed a problematic new trend happening during jury trials. That trend being jurors using Blackberrys and iPhones to gain information through the internet about the case they are hearing. Read the article here.

On top of these devices distracting the jurors from focusing on the case, internet services provided through Blackberrys and iPhones allow jurors to research technical aspects involved in the trial they are hearing or simply find out information about the parties themselves. Information that can be prejudicial and prohibited from being considered pursuant to state and federal trial rules.

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This past January, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled on a case coming out of Laporte County. The case dealt with a grandmother who signed the state required "financial responsibility form" for her grandson when he turned 16. At that time, the grandson was living with his grandmother and she was his legal guardian. She had bought her grandson a new car for his 16th birthday and registered the car in his name.

Pursuant to IC 9-24-9-3, Indiana requires that a minor's driver's license application be signed by a parent or legal guardian who promises to assume certain statutory obligations on behalf of the minor. Under IC 9-24-9-4(a), "[a]n individual who signed an application for a permit or license under this chapter agrees to be responsible jointly and severally with the minor applicant for any injury or damage that the minor applicant causes by reason of the operation of a motor vehicle if the minor applicant is liable in damages.”

Continue reading "Grandmother Not Covered By Insurer After Being Held Liable Under Financial Responsibility Form for Grandson" »