AMICUS AI
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Attorney(S)
Judges
Are you a practicing lawyer?
Enhance your digital presence and reach by creating a Casemine profile.
Upload pleading to use the new AI search
Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Attorney(S)
Judges

JOHN SCHMALL, etc., et al., plaintiffs-respondents, v. JULIA F. RYDER, et al., defendants-respondents, THERESA M. SCHMALL, appellant, et al., defendants.

DECISION ORDER

ORDERED that the order is reversed insofar as appealed from, on the law, with costs, the motion is granted, the complaint and all cross claims are dismissed insofar as asserted against the appellant, and the action against the remaining defendants is severed.

It is axiomatic that a driver of an automobile is not required to anticipate that an automobile going in the opposite direction will cross over into oncoming traffic ( see, Koch v. Levenson, 225 A.D.2d 592). Such a scenario presents an emergency situation, and the actions of the driver presented with such a situation must be judged in that context ( see, Bentley v. Moore, 251 A.D.2d 612, 613; Koch v. Levenson, 225 A.D.2d 592). In the present case, while driving northbound on a two-lane highway, the defendant Julia Ryder lost control of her vehicle and, within seconds, veered into the opposing lane, striking the car driven by Theresa M. Schmall (hereinafter Schmall), which was traveling southbound. The undisputed evidence indicated that the weather conditions were poor, the shoulders of the roadway were very narrow, and there were guardrails on either side, leaving Schmall with no reasonable opportunity to avoid the oncoming vehicle. Under the circumstances, Schmall's actions did not contribute to the accident.

Accordingly, Schmall is entitled to summary judgment dismissing the complaint and all cross claims insofar as asserted against her.

Use AI to get other relevant cases.

Comments

SCHMALL v. RYDER
(Jun 14, 1999)