Ordered that the judgment is affirmed, with costs.
It is undisputed that the vehicle which the defendant Olfano was operating came into contact with the rear of the vehicle operated by the plaintiff Robert Stevenson. In view of the disputed issues of fact concerning the circumstances immediately preceding the accident and the fact that the defendants came forward with an exculpatory explanation, the factual evaluation of the evidence was properly put before the jury (see, Pfaffenbach v. White Plains Express Corp., 17 N.Y.2d 132).
As a review of the record indicates that the jury's verdict was based on a fair interpretation of the evidence and a valid line of reasoning which could lead rational people to a similar conclusion, it cannot be said that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence (see, Coyle v. Egalite, 121 A.D.2d 676).
We have reviewed the plaintiffs' remaining contentions and find them to be without merit. Thompson, J.P., Brown, Rubin and Harwood, JJ., concur.