Chain-reaction motor vehicle collisions often raise complex and contested questions of liability, but a laser-focused investigation and a determined defense can make the difference.
Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP’s partners, Paul Devine and Erin Mackin, recently secured summary judgment in a multi-vehicle chain reaction accident on I-495 in Suffolk County, New York. Although at first blush the evidence looked unfavorable because our insured’s motor coach struck the rear of a Toyota Prius, and the Prius hit the rear of a Kia, Paul and Erin successfully established that no vehicle ever struck the plaintiff’s vehicle, a 2010 Honda Civic.
Despite admissions that our insured’s bus was speeding and following the Prius too closely, Paul and Erin built their defense on two key elements:
Plaintiff testified that she did not know whether her vehicle was struck, and
Photos showed no rear-end damage to the plaintiff’s Civic and no front-end damage to Kia directly behind it.
Although the insured’s bus initiated the chain collision between the Toyota Prius and the Kia, the plaintiff’s loss of control, after swerving to avoid a pothole, could not be causally linked to any impact on the plaintiff’s vehicle. Without evidence of contact, the court found no basis for liability and granted summary judgment in our client’s favor.
This decision underscores how our team’s careful analysis of impact dynamics, testimonial inconsistencies, and physical evidence can resolve even the most complex liability disputes. Our attorneys are prepared to defend high-exposure motor vehicle cases with early strategy and thorough witness preparation. Contact Paul or Erin for a copy of the decision or to discuss defense strategies in chain-reaction accident litigation.
