ZIELINSKI v. VAN PELT (2004)

This negligence action arises out of a chain-reaction motor vehicle collision wherein plaintiff, a passenger in the fourth and final vehicle in line, allegedly sustained a serious injury.   The record establishes that the accident occurred after the attention of defendant Robert C. Van Pelt, the driver of the first vehicle in line, was drawn to a female pedestrian whom the record suggests was being ogled and harassed by Van Pelt and his male passengers.   The record further establishes that Van Pelt had to stop his vehicle abruptly upon returning his attention to the traffic ahead of him.   A vehicle owned by defendant Donald L. Smith and operated by defendant Stephanie A. Smith stopped behind Van Pelt's vehicle.   Defendant Barbara C. Wood's vehicle then collided with the rear of the Smiths' vehicle, propelling it into the rear of Van Pelt's vehicle.   Finally, defendant Joseph F. David's vehicle, in which plaintiff was a passenger, collided with the rear of Wood's vehicle.

 We conclude with respect to appeal No. 1 that Supreme Court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion of the Smiths and the cross motion of Van Pelt to bifurcate the trial inasmuch as “[p]laintiff established that the liability issue presented herein is uncomplicated and that a trial on both liability and damages would be brief” (Di Pirro v. Thompson, 289 A.D.2d 1025, 1026, 735 N.Y.S.2d 452;  see Mazur v. Mazur, 288 A.D.2d 945, 946, 732 N.Y.S.2d 204).   Nevertheless, we conclude with respect to appeal No. 2 that the court erred in denying the motion of the Smiths for summary judgment dismissing the complaint and cross claims against them (see Piazza v. D'Anna, 6 A.D.3d 1161, 776 N.Y.S.2d 427;  Betts v. Marecki, 247 A.D.2d 916, 668 N.Y.S.2d 422;  Smith v. Cafiero, 203 A.D.2d 355, 356, 610 N.Y.S.2d 76;  Sollecito v. Scott, 188 A.D.2d 824, 591 N.Y.S.2d 231).  “The papers submitted by the [Smiths] clearly showed [their] entitlement to summary judgment” (Smith, 203 A.D.2d at 356, 610 N.Y.S.2d 76) by demonstrating that Stephanie Smith had brought her vehicle to a complete and safe stop when it was rear-ended by Wood's vehicle (see Piazza, 6 A.D.3d at 1162, 776 N.Y.S.2d 427;  Arrastia v. Sbordone, 225 A.D.2d 375, 638 N.Y.S.2d 659).   In opposition, plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact (see Piazza, 6 A.D.3d at 1162, 776 N.Y.S.2d 427;  Randolph v. Crane, 278 A.D.2d 913, 718 N.Y.S.2d 910).  “The papers submitted by the plaintiff fail to show any [conduct by Stephanie Smith] from which it could be inferred that any negligence on her part caused the plaintiff's accident” (Smith, 203 A.D.2d at 356, 610 N.Y.S.2d 76;  see Betts, 247 A.D.2d at 916, 668 N.Y.S.2d 422;  Rehak v. Kwan, 242 A.D.2d 267, 661 N.Y.S.2d 543;  Arrastia, 225 A.D.2d 375, 638 N.Y.S.2d 659).   We therefore modify the order in appeal No. 2 accordingly.

 We further conclude with respect to appeal No. 2, however, that the court properly denied the cross motion of Van Pelt for summary judgment dismissing the complaint and cross claims against him.   There are issues of fact concerning whether Van Pelt was negligent in his operation of his vehicle and whether such negligence was a proximate cause of plaintiff's injury (see Mohamed v. Town of Niskayuna, 267 A.D.2d 909, 910-911, 700 N.Y.S.2d 551;  cf. Kassim v. City of New York, 256 A.D.2d 386, 387, 681 N.Y.S.2d 599).

It is hereby ORDERED that said appeals from the order insofar as it concerned bifurcation of trial be and the same hereby are unanimously dismissed (see Matter of Chendo O., 175 A.D.2d 635, 572 N.Y.S.2d 570) and the order is modified on the law by granting the motion of defendants Stephanie A. Smith and Donald L. Smith for summary judgment and dismissing the complaint and cross claims against them and as modified the order is affirmed without costs.

MEMORANDUM: