Today, Samsung and Apple were sued by the Coalition Against Distracted Driving, a citizens groups supporting education of drivers against distracted driving, specifically the use of smartphones and smartwatches while driving, according to a news article at West Side Today. The group, who is said to be anticipating the risks regarding the use of the Apple Watch, is attempting to force makers of smartphones to pay $1 billion for a program designed to educate motorists regarding the dangers of distracted driving.

Filed on Monday, April 20th, the lawsuit also names Microsoft Corporation and Google Inc. The lawsuit claims that the Coalition Against Distracted Driving (CADD) is a group based in Los Angeles that was formed for the purpose of promoting ongoing and effective education to the public regarding the use of mobile devices while driving. Stephen Joseph, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said he is “acting in this case in the public interest.” Joseph also states in the suit that he recognizes the potential of injury to himself caused by the “possibility of being hit by a driver who cannot see the road because he/she is using a smartphone or smartwatch.”

The lawsuit against the defendants claims that the use of smartphones while operating a vehicle is an “epidemic” across the nation, and cites numerous instances across the U.S. in which accidents were the fault of inattentive drivers. Specifically, one truck driver was allegedly looking on Facebook at photos of women using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, when he killed one police officer after plowing into five police cars.

While the Apple Watch has not yet been made available to the public, the lawsuit claims that the watch “creates a far greater distraction than smartphones” because given the fact the watch is attached to the driver’s wrist, ignoring notifications is more difficult. In regards to teenagers, the suit claims the temptation for teens to view the notifications by the watch is “irresistible,” particularly in situations involving conversation via text.

According to the CADD, the $1 billion cost the group wants Samsung and Apple to pay to educate people nationwide regarding the use of smartphones and smartwatches “is a tiny fraction of profits that defendants receive from the sale of these products.”

At Spotora & Associates, our senior associates understand that in many cases, the products companies manufacture are open to lawsuits of this nature, lawsuits which claim the dangers of using the products in specific situations. Given advances in technology today, litigation is often difficult to avoid and regardless of your industry, the potential of a lawsuit exists. Rely on our team of skilled and experienced Los Angeles business attorneys for outstanding legal advisement and to limit your liability.

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