Syracuse Personal Injury Law Blog
The majority of car accidents occur due to careless driving. In many cases arising out of collisions, though, the parties dispute whose negligent operation of a vehicle actually caused the crash. In such instances, the courts typically will not order judgment as a matter of law in one party’s favor, as demonstrated in a recent New York case. If you were involved in a harmful collision, it is advisable to talk to a Syracuse personal injury attorney about what damages you may be owed.
Facts and Procedure of the Case
It is reported that the plaintiff was driving a sedan on an expressway when his vehicle was allegedly struck from behind by an 18-wheel tractor-trailer owned by the defendant owner and driven by the defendant driver. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging the defendants negligently owned and operated the tractor-trailer. The defendants then removed the case to federal court based on diversity jurisdiction.
Allegedly, during discovery, the parties presented conflicting versions of events. Both parties provided diverging deposition testimonies, with the plaintiff asserting he was rear-ended and the defendant contending that the plaintiff side-swiped the truck while changing lanes. When discovery closed, the defendant moved for summary judgment.
Judgment as a Matter of Law in Car Accident Cases
On review, the court applied the legal standard under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 for summary judgment, emphasizing the need to determine whether there was a genuine dispute of material fact. The court noted that the defendants argued that the plaintiff’s version of events was implausible and, based on their evidence, asserted that the plaintiff’s unsafe lane change was the sole proximate cause of the accident.
The court, however, found that genuine disputes persisted regarding key facts, such as the speed of the vehicles, the lane change, and the severity of the impact. The court rejected the defendants’ assertion that the plaintiff’s unsafe lane change was the sole cause, noting the plaintiff’s denial of the lane change and the absence of undisputed evidence.
The court also scrutinized an accident reconstructionist’s report presented by the defendants, stating that it did not conclusively eliminate the possibility of the plaintiff’s version of events. Ultimately, the court concluded that conflicting testimonies and unresolved factual issues precluded summary judgment, emphasizing the fact-finding nature of negligence cases and the need for a jury to determine credibility. As a result, the court denied the defendants’ motion for summary judgment, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
Talk to a Trusted Syracuse Personal Injury Attorney
Car accidents involving tractor-trailers usually cause catastrophic harm, and people hurt in such crashes can often recover damages. If you suffered injuries in a car crash, it is smart to talk to a lawyer. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers our trusted Syracuse personal injury attorneys have ample experience proving negligent motorists should be held accountable, and if you hire us, we will advocate zealously on your behalf. You can reach us via our form online or by calling us at 833-247-8427 to schedule a conference.