PLAINTIFF, AN INNOCENT PASSENGER IN THIS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CASE, WAS ENTITLED TO SUMMARY JUDGMENT DISMISSSING DEFENDANT’S AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES AS AGAINST HER (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department, reversing (modifying) Supreme Court, determined that plaintiff (Brizan), a passenger in a car involved in an accident, was entitled to summary judgment dismissing defendant’s affirmative defenses alleging comparative negligence, contributory negligence and culpable conduct on Brizan’s part:
The right of an innocent passenger to summary judgment on the issue of whether he or she was at fault in the happening of an accident is not restricted by potential issues of comparative negligence as between two defendant drivers (see CPLR 3212[g] …). Brizan demonstrated, prima facie, that she did not engage in any culpable conduct that contributed to the happening of the accident … . Husbands v City of New York, 2024 NY Slip Op 04126, Second Dept 8-7-24
Practice Point: An innocent passenger in a traffic accident is not subject to the affirmative defenses raised by the defendant against the driver of the car in which plaintiff was riding.