Practice point: In a chain collision accident, the operator of the middle vehicle may establish prima facie entitlement to judgment as a matter of law by demonstrating that the middle vehicle was properly stopped behind the lead vehicle when it was struck from behind by the rear vehicle and propelled into the lead vehicle.
Student note: A driver shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway, pursuant to Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1129 [a]. So, a rear-end collision with a stopped or stopping vehicle establishes a prima facie case of negligence on the part of the operator of the rear vehicle, thereby requiring that operator to rebut the inference of negligence by providing a nonnegligent explanation for the collision.
Case: Chuk Hwa Shin v. Correale, NY Slip Op 05749 (2d Dep't August 10, 2016)
Tomorrow's issue: Oral agreements and indefiniteness.
