From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

Warren v. Donovan

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department
Oct 27, 1998
254 A.D.2d 201 (N.Y. App. Div. 1998)

Summary

finding explanation inadequate where driver testified that his vehicle hydroplaned in foggy and rainy weather conditions, which were "known adverse conditions that should have been compensated for"

Summary of this case from Mahar v. U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.

Opinion

October 27, 1998

Appeal from the Supreme Court, Bronx County (Lottie Wilkins, J.).


Assuming defendant's unsigned deposition transcript should be considered even though he had urged the contrary before the motion court, nothing therein avails him. The rear end collision raises an inference of defendant's negligence ( see, Galante v. BMW Fin. Servs., 223 A.D.2d 421), and his proffered explanation — that his vehicle "hydroplaned" in foggy and rainy weather conditions — shows nothing more than that the accident was caused by known adverse road conditions that should have been compensated for ( see, Young v. City of New York, 113 A.D.2d 833). While there is an issue of fact as to whether the infant plaintiff was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, such issue bears only upon a possible apportionment between defendant and the adult plaintiff ( cf., McMahon v. Butler, 73 A.D.2d 197), not defendant's fault for the accident, and should not bar summary judgment in favor of plaintiffs on the issue of liability.

Concur — Sullivan, J. P., Rosenberger, Nardelli, Williams and Andrias, JJ.


Summaries of

Warren v. Donovan

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department
Oct 27, 1998
254 A.D.2d 201 (N.Y. App. Div. 1998)

finding explanation inadequate where driver testified that his vehicle hydroplaned in foggy and rainy weather conditions, which were "known adverse conditions that should have been compensated for"

Summary of this case from Mahar v. U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.
Case details for

Warren v. Donovan

Case Details

Full title:KIM WARREN et al., Respondents, v. ROBERT G. DONOVAN, JR., Appellant

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department

Date published: Oct 27, 1998

Citations

254 A.D.2d 201 (N.Y. App. Div. 1998)
679 N.Y.S.2d 120

Citing Cases

National Interstate v. A.J. Murphy Company

A tractor trailer driven by Walter H. Cookson rear-ended Foster's bus which, in turn, was propelled into…

Zumaeta v. Robertson

In the instant matter, the defendant admitted that she knew it was raining but was driving at forty (40)…