PLAINTIFF’S FALLING INTO A HOLE ON THE PREMISES AFTER HIS TRUCK WAS LOADED WAS NOT THE RESULT OF “USE” OF THE TRUCK WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INSURANCE POLICIES (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the plaintiff’s falling into a hole after he was finished loading his truck did not result from his “use” of the truck within the meaning of the applicable insurance policies:

While “use” of an automobile includes loading and unloading , an accident does not arise from the “use” of an automobile merely because it occurs during the loading or unloading process, but rather “must be the result of some act or omission related to the use of the vehicle” … . Tishman Constr. Corp. v Zurich Am. Ins. Co., 2022 NY Slip Op 02886, First Dept 4-28-22

Practice Point: Here plaintiff’s falling into a hole on the premises after he had loaded his truck did not result from “use” of the truck within the meaning of the insurance policies.