Overview
Driver A: Male in his 40s, driving an SUV
Driver B: Female in her 30s, driving a sedan
Driver A suddenly stopped on the fast lane of the highway. Driver B, following behind, swerved to avoid collision and crashed into another vehicle.
Accident Details
Driver A missed an exit and abruptly stopped in the left lane without warning or hazard lights.
Driver B, about 50 meters behind, swerved right to avoid a rear-end collision.
She collided with another vehicle and then hit the guardrail.
There was no physical contact between A and B.
A left the scene, thinking he wasn't involved.
Evidence
Dashcam footage and witness statements showed A’s sudden and unsafe stop.
Police identified A through vehicle registration.
Legal Findings
Duty of Care: A had a duty to drive safely. Sudden stopping was negligent.
Causation: A's actions caused the crash, even without contact.
Non-Contact Liability: No collision needed if one’s behavior causes an accident.
Verdict
Fault Allocation:
- Driver A: 80%
- Driver B: 20%
Damages: A’s insurer paid ~$45,000 to B.
Penalty: A fined $500 and received 2 demerit points.