Ask Homework Help/Study Tips Expert

First, please carefully read the following article.

"Family Sues Apple, Claiming FaceTime Distracted Driver in Crash That Killed 5-Year-Old Daughter"

According to the article, a Texas couple is suing Apple, claiming that its FaceTime app distracted a driver who rammed into the couple's car, killing their 5-year-old daughter.

Parents James and Bethany Modisette are suing Apple for damages on the basis that the electronics giant failed to install and implement a "safer, alternative design" for FaceTime that would have helped prevent a driver from using the app while traveling at highway speed, court documents show.

The lawsuit, filed December 23 in California Superior Court in Santa Clara County, also claims that Apple failed "to warn users that the product was likely to be dangerous when used or misused" or to instruct on its safe usage.

The accident occurred Christmas Eve in 2014 near Dallas, when, according to the lawsuit, the Modisettes were driving in a Toyota Camry, with daughter Moriah, 5, in a booster seat in the left rear passenger seat and her sister, Isabella, next to her in the right rear seat.

The Modisettes had slowed or stopped their car because police activity ahead of them on the highway had caused traffic to back up, according to the suit.

Another driver, Garrett Wilhelm, traveling in his Toyota 4Runner in the same direction and behind the Modisettes' car, had his attention diverted by his use of the FaceTime app, the suit alleges.

"As a result of that distraction, his Toyota 4Runner, while traveling at full highway speed (65 mph), struck the Modisette family car from behind, causing it to be propelled forward, rotate and come to a final rest at an angle facing the wrong direction in the right lane of traffic," the suit says.

Wilhelm's car then "continued its trajectory by rolling up and over the driver's side of the Modisette car," the suit claims.

The crash caused extensive damage to the driver's side of the Modisettes' car, and rescue workers had to extract James Modisette and Moriah from the car, the suit says.

James Modisette was in critical condition after the crash. Bethany Modisette and Isabella were taken to a regional medical center to be treated for injuries. Moriah was airlifted to an area children's hospital, where she later died from her injuries, according to the suit.

"Wilhelm told police at the scene that he was using FaceTime on his iPhone at the time of the crash, and the police located his iPhone at the crash scene with the FaceTime application still active," the suit claims.

The Modisettes contend in their suit that, "At the time of the collision in question, the iPhone utilized by Wilhelm contained the necessary hardware (to be configured with software) to automatically disable or ‘lock out' the ability to use [FaceTime] ... However, Apple failed to configure the iPhone to automatically ‘lock out' the ability to utilize FaceTime while driving at highway speeds, despite having the technical capability to do so."

Wilhelm was indicted on manslaughter charges by a grand jury in Denton County, Texas, according to The Denton Record-Chronicle. He has been out of jail on bail since August, and a jury trial in the case is scheduled to begin February 27, the paper reports.

Wilhelm's lawyer, Ricky Perritt, issued statement reading, "The Wilhelm family offers their thoughts and prayers for the family of the young lady who lost her life in this tragic accident. We are confident that after all the facts are brought out in court, it will be shown that the use of a cellular device did not contribute and Mr. Wilhelm did not commit a crime ... It was simply an accident."

Then, thoroughly respond to all of the following questions in your post:

On what legal theory/theories should/would the Modisettes base their lawsuit against Apple?

If the Modisettes' lawsuit alleges Apple's negligence, what is their best argument regarding negligence?

In your opinion, what would Apple's best defense be?

In your reasoned opinion, is Apple legally responsible for Mariah Modisette's death?

In our busy, fast-paced lives, many of us find it necessary to use our cell phones while in the car. Has this case changed your opinion on cell phone usage while driving a car?

Homework Help/Study Tips, Others

  • Category:- Homework Help/Study Tips
  • Reference No.:- M93099431
  • Price:- $20

Priced at Now at $20, Verified Solution

Have any Question?


Related Questions in Homework Help/Study Tips

Review the website airmail service from the smithsonian

Review the website Airmail Service from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum that is dedicated to the history of the U.S. Air Mail Service. Go to the Airmail in America link and explore the additional tabs along the le ...

Read the article frank whittle and the race for the jet

Read the article Frank Whittle and the Race for the Jet from "Historynet" describing the historical influences of Sir Frank Whittle and his early work contributions to jet engine technologies. Prepare a presentation high ...

Overviewnow that we have had an introduction to the context

Overview Now that we have had an introduction to the context of Jesus' life and an overview of the Biblical gospels, we are now ready to take a look at the earliest gospel written about Jesus - the Gospel of Mark. In thi ...

Fitness projectstudents will design and implement a six

Fitness Project Students will design and implement a six week long fitness program for a family member, friend or co-worker. The fitness program will be based on concepts discussed in class. Students will provide justifi ...

Read grand canyon collision - the greatest commercial air

Read Grand Canyon Collision - The greatest commercial air tragedy of its day! from doney, which details the circumstances surrounding one of the most prolific aircraft accidents of all time-the June 1956 mid-air collisio ...

Qestion anti-trustprior to completing the assignment

Question: Anti-Trust Prior to completing the assignment, review Chapter 4 of your course text. You are a manager with 5 years of experience and need to write a report for senior management on how your firm can avoid the ...

Question how has the patient and affordable care act of

Question: How has the Patient and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (the "Health Care Reform Act") reshaped financial arrangements between hospitals, physicians, and other providers with Medicare making a single payment for al ...

Plate tectonicsthe learning objectives for chapter 2 and

Plate Tectonics The Learning Objectives for Chapter 2 and this web quest is to learn about and become familiar with: Plate Boundary Types Plate Boundary Interactions Plate Tectonic Map of the World Past Plate Movement an ...

Question critical case for billing amp codingcomplete the

Question: Critical Case for Billing & Coding Complete the Critical Case for Billing & Coding simulation within the LearnScape platform. You will need to create a single Microsoft Word file and save it to your computer. A ...

Review the cba provided in the resources section between

Review the CBA provided in the resources section between the Trustees of Columbia University and Local 2110 International Union of Technical, Office, and Professional Workers. Describe how this is similar to a "contract" ...

  • 4,153,160 Questions Asked
  • 13,132 Experts
  • 2,558,936 Questions Answered

Ask Experts for help!!

Looking for Assignment Help?

Start excelling in your Courses, Get help with Assignment

Write us your full requirement for evaluation and you will receive response within 20 minutes turnaround time.

Ask Now Help with Problems, Get a Best Answer

Why might a bank avoid the use of interest rate swaps even

Why might a bank avoid the use of interest rate swaps, even when the institution is exposed to significant interest rate

Describe the difference between zero coupon bonds and

Describe the difference between zero coupon bonds and coupon bonds. Under what conditions will a coupon bond sell at a p

Compute the present value of an annuity of 880 per year

Compute the present value of an annuity of $ 880 per year for 16 years, given a discount rate of 6 percent per annum. As

Compute the present value of an 1150 payment made in ten

Compute the present value of an $1,150 payment made in ten years when the discount rate is 12 percent. (Do not round int

Compute the present value of an annuity of 699 per year

Compute the present value of an annuity of $ 699 per year for 19 years, given a discount rate of 6 percent per annum. As