LIABILITY ISSUES
In a chain reaction series of rear end accidents, following
vehicles are presumed to be negligent for rear end collisions and
the fact that a driver has to stop for an accident in front of him
will be no defence. Drivers of vehicles which manage to stop
without collision will not be negligent.
Woitas v. Tremblay, 2018 ABQB
588, per Wachowich, Master [4287]
FACTS AND ISSUES:
On January 26, 2012, two rear-end accidents occurred on Highway
2 southbound, north of Leduc, Alberta. It was rush hour and traffic
was backed up in the right lane of three southbound lanes, because
of traffic in that lane waiting to exit to the right for the Nisku
turnoff. Traffic in the other lanes were proceeding at slower than
highway speed as drivers changed lanes, jockeying to make their way
through the traffic.
