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Emergency Doctrine Does Not Apply Where Party Invoking It Contributed to the Creation of the Emergency

The Second Department affirmed Supreme Court's ruling that the emergency doctrine did not apply to the defendant (Smith). Defendant crossed over the grassy median from the southbound lane striking plaintiff's vehicle in the northbound lane. Defendant argued that the emergency doctrine applied because defendant's vehicle was struck from behind, causing it to leave its lane of traffic.  The Second Department determined the emergency doctrine did not apply because defendant contributed to the rear-end collision by slowing down without signaling at a time when defendant was aware the vehicle behind was tail-gating:

…[T]he defendants failed to raise a triable issue of fact as to whether the emergency doctrine applied … . The emergency doctrine is not a defense available to the defendants because the emergency condition was partially created by Smith's disregard of existing traffic conditions … . Smith had a duty not to stop suddenly or slow down without proper signaling so as to avoid a collision … . At his deposition, Smith admitted that he was aware that the unidentified vehicle had been tailgating him for about 10 to 20 seconds. Despite being aware that he was being tailgated on a highway, he deliberately slowed his vehicle by disengaging the cruise control without proper signaling. Then, the unidentified vehicle hit the rear of his vehicle. Under these circumstances, it was foreseeable that slowing down without proper signaling could result in a rear-end collision. Accordingly, as Smith contributed to the creation of the emergency situation, the emergency doctrine is not applicable. Pearson v Northstar Limousine Inc, 2014 NY Slip Op 08968, 2nd Dept 12-24-14

 

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