The article says he sent and received 15 texts and made seven calls in the 45 minutes before the wreck.
I think a more pertinent question would be what was happening in the 15 SECONDS before the wreck!
While a SENT text indicates active use of a cell phone, a RECEIVED text does not, although if one had been received within two minutes of the wreck, it’s possible a response was being formulated.
I certainly hope if he was found guilty of something here, it was based on more information than that which was included in the article!
No amount of damages awarded can bring back the victim, but damages of this magnitude, particularly if receivable through garnishing future wages, may only serve to ensure that the young man in question never has any incentive to become a productive member of society!
That tells you the “jury of your peers” system is broken. Large commercial companies I work on usually settle for $1M and they have deeper pockets. Rarely does a settlement go above limits.
An A-hole like this shouldn’t be allowed to escape responsibility by filing for bankruptcy. If he’s a college kid, there’s no basis for bankruptcy. They should garnishee his future wages until he pays up. They should also suspend his driving priviledges until he graduates from school.
This is about sending a message. If you text and have an accident you’re held to the maximum.
If you fall asleep at the wheel it’s just an accident. How many times before an accident does someone realize they were tired? Do they pull off after the first, second, or third doze at the wheel? The unfortunate is that the dozing is not documented like texting and cell phones are.
How about the ones chatting with friends in the car? How about the ones looking down to find a CD they dropped? Or, the one that spills their drink and is distracted.
We have all done something stupid while driving, but the reality is, very rarely does something tragic happen. I feel for the damaged parties, but we all take a risk when we get in a car from the other drivers on the road. This is going to get to the point that a small accident with limited or minor injuries will bankrupt anyone.
Then grabbed a piece of cow dung lawyer, and filed bankruptcy. well, isn’t that just sweet? go kill someone because you’re and idiot, then use the law to screw the victim’s family. this guy deserves everything that comes his way..everything bad, that is. his freaking lawyer does too.
Somehow I don’t think his limits of liability will be adequate to pay this claim. The article doesn’t mention whether the parents are being pursued. If the Auto was in their name, are they not at least partially liable for the driving of their son?
I wonder where the $22Million is coming from. Minimum limits, if any at all. Opps, I almost forgot about the state, county, car mfgr, cell phone mfgr, cell phone company, etc., etc.
I looked to see if Vestal was charged with any crime. It appears the police did not find evidence or at least not enough to charge him with a crime. I wonder why?
I agree this is very unfortunate and no amount of money will ever fix the situation. As many crucify Vestal just remember this situation the next time you answer your phone in the car. You might be the next cause of an accident.
That Dude, Reed Vestal should have his fingers cut off because of what pain he’s caused. Here in IL, we have a law that says we can not text and drive. I’m not sure sbout TX, but if this guy was texting and getting a bunch of calls while drivinbg i’m sure he wasnt paying as much to his driving and deserves everything he gets. I agree, he is a slimebag!!
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The article says he sent and received 15 texts and made seven calls in the 45 minutes before the wreck.
I think a more pertinent question would be what was happening in the 15 SECONDS before the wreck!
While a SENT text indicates active use of a cell phone, a RECEIVED text does not, although if one had been received within two minutes of the wreck, it’s possible a response was being formulated.
I certainly hope if he was found guilty of something here, it was based on more information than that which was included in the article!
No amount of damages awarded can bring back the victim, but damages of this magnitude, particularly if receivable through garnishing future wages, may only serve to ensure that the young man in question never has any incentive to become a productive member of society!
Wages can’t be garnished in Texas for an auto accident, so he’s pretty much off the hook… This was just to send a message.
That tells you the “jury of your peers” system is broken. Large commercial companies I work on usually settle for $1M and they have deeper pockets. Rarely does a settlement go above limits.
An A-hole like this shouldn’t be allowed to escape responsibility by filing for bankruptcy. If he’s a college kid, there’s no basis for bankruptcy. They should garnishee his future wages until he pays up. They should also suspend his driving priviledges until he graduates from school.
This is about sending a message. If you text and have an accident you’re held to the maximum.
If you fall asleep at the wheel it’s just an accident. How many times before an accident does someone realize they were tired? Do they pull off after the first, second, or third doze at the wheel? The unfortunate is that the dozing is not documented like texting and cell phones are.
How about the ones chatting with friends in the car? How about the ones looking down to find a CD they dropped? Or, the one that spills their drink and is distracted.
We have all done something stupid while driving, but the reality is, very rarely does something tragic happen. I feel for the damaged parties, but we all take a risk when we get in a car from the other drivers on the road. This is going to get to the point that a small accident with limited or minor injuries will bankrupt anyone.
Then grabbed a piece of cow dung lawyer, and filed bankruptcy. well, isn’t that just sweet? go kill someone because you’re and idiot, then use the law to screw the victim’s family. this guy deserves everything that comes his way..everything bad, that is. his freaking lawyer does too.
Somehow I don’t think his limits of liability will be adequate to pay this claim. The article doesn’t mention whether the parents are being pursued. If the Auto was in their name, are they not at least partially liable for the driving of their son?
I wonder where the $22Million is coming from. Minimum limits, if any at all. Opps, I almost forgot about the state, county, car mfgr, cell phone mfgr, cell phone company, etc., etc.
I looked to see if Vestal was charged with any crime. It appears the police did not find evidence or at least not enough to charge him with a crime. I wonder why?
I agree this is very unfortunate and no amount of money will ever fix the situation. As many crucify Vestal just remember this situation the next time you answer your phone in the car. You might be the next cause of an accident.
That Dude, Reed Vestal should have his fingers cut off because of what pain he’s caused. Here in IL, we have a law that says we can not text and drive. I’m not sure sbout TX, but if this guy was texting and getting a bunch of calls while drivinbg i’m sure he wasnt paying as much to his driving and deserves everything he gets. I agree, he is a slimebag!!