New York Car Accident Lawyer Blog
In a case involving a fatal car accident, the Appellate Division addressed whether a driver who admitted to falling asleep at the wheel could be found negligent as a matter of law. The lower court denied the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment, but the appellate court reversed. The case clarified the legal standards for holding drivers responsible when they fall asleep while operating a vehicle.
Background Facts
The plaintiffs brought a lawsuit after their son died in a car accident. He had been a passenger in a vehicle driven by defendant Timothy M. Heyward. According to the evidence, Heyward fell asleep while driving. As a result, the car left the roadway and went down an embankment, causing the death of the passenger.
In support of their motion for summary judgment, the plaintiffs presented evidence showing that Heyward had admitted to falling asleep at the wheel. The defendants did not offer any evidence to dispute that admission. However, the Supreme Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion, finding that it could not determine negligence as a matter of law based solely on Heyward’s admission.