Collisions

Imagine the surprise of the motorist at a collision I once investigated. He parked at the side of the road, opened his door, and a passing car tried to tear it off! It's a good thing he didn't step out while he opened the door.

It is fortunate that this type of collision is relatively rare because the consequences are severe. I am speaking of driving the wrong way on a divided highway or freeway.

Joseph Munden and Ephrahim Barnett used to be neighbours, did not care for each other and were not on good terms. This case results from Mr. Munden using his vehicle as a weapon and intentionally colliding with Mr. Barnett who was riding his bicycle.

Why are drivers mistaking the gas for the brake? I could not rationalize this error after reading another news story where a driver in a parking lot had driven into a building with significant force. Surely the driver must have known that this was going to happen and could have prevented it.

The case of Tataryn v Browne involves a single vehicle rollover crash on Long Lake Road near Kamloops. Farm workers riding in the box of the pickup truck at the time of the crash were injured. Debra Browne found that the owner's responsibility for their vehicle meant that she was vicariously liable for damages.

The case of Legere v Harvey involves liability for two crashes on Highway 97 at Gallagher Lake north of Oliver. The first crash was between a southbound Mazda 3 driven by Gail Harvey and a deer. The second crash occurred immediately after between Ms. Harvey's Mazda 3 and a northbound Dodge Ram driven by Ryan Legere.

Occasionally you may find yourself waiting in a long line of vehicles for extended periods because a crash has temporarily shut down a highway. Here are some insights as to why the RCMP, working with the area highways contractor, has closed the road.

Driving in poor weather conditions requires choosing an appropriate speed and then continually adjusting that speed as the conditions change. The speed signs beside our roads set the maximum for driving in ideal conditions and sometimes drivers forget this. You must consider those around you as well as yourself.

Cindy Li was involved in a hit & run crash. She had heard the siren of an approaching fire engine and slowed in preparation to yield to it. While her vehicle was still moving, it was struck from behind by another car.

The case of Topolewski v Blyschak arises from a collision between a commercial truck and a Honda Civic at the intersection of Mary Street and Hodgins Avenue in Chiliwack. Mr. Topolewski had driven his commercial truck northbound on Mary Street intending to make a right turn onto Hodgins Avenue.