Appellate Division, Second Department Affirms Rejection of Creative Rear-End Defense

In Carrington-White v. Malvey, the Appellate Division, Second Department recently affirmed  the plaintiff's summary judgment motion on liability.  The matter concerned a rear-end accident, where the defendant struck a cement barrier, causing her vehicle to strike the plaintiff's vehicle.  In opposition to the plaintiff's summary judgment on liability, the defendant contended that she must have been struck from behind by an unidentified vehicle immediately before striking the plaintiff.  The Second Department agreed with the trial court that the defendant's contention was pure speculation and failed to raise a triable issue of fact.