Striking Driver Solely Liable for Accident Caused by Failure to Maintain Safe Distance

A driver, having momentarily stopped his vehicle on a roadway to pick up a passenger, was struck by a following vehicle which failed to maintain a safe distance, resulting in property damage. The Court of Cassation rejected the appeal, affirming that the trial court was justified in finding the striking driver solely at fault because, despite the stopping vehicle's temporary and unavoidable presence on the road, the striking driver had a duty to maintain a safe distance and speed appropriate to the conditions, which includes anticipating necessary stops, and failed to do so, thereby causing the accident.