Ruiz v Town of Southampton

Holding The court affirmed the denial of summary judgment on liability because the defendants provided a nonnegligent explanation for the rear-end collision, creating a triable issue of fact. The appeal regarding the dismissal of affirmative defenses was dismissed due to an inadequate record lacking the defendants’ answer.

The court’s words

a rear-end collision with a stopped or stopping vehicle establishes a prima facie case of negligence on the part of the operator of the rear vehicle

2026 NY Slip Op 06158, at the official text

the defendants submitted evidence of a nonnegligent explanation for the collision

2026 NY Slip Op 06158, at the official text

the record does not include the defendants' answer

2026 NY Slip Op 06158, at the official text

the record is inadequate to enable this Court to render an informed decision as to that determination

2026 NY Slip Op 06158, at the official text