Contributory Negligence in Stopping Unsafely on Roadway

A lower court improperly held an individual liable for damages resulting from a traffic accident, ruling that the driver of a vehicle that struck another car, which had stopped due to engine trouble on the roadway without properly signaling or ensuring the stopped vehicle posed no danger, was entirely at fault solely based on failing to maintain a safe distance. The high court overturned this decision, reasoning that the trial judge failed to consider the contributory negligence of the stopped vehicle's driver, who had created a hazardous situation by stopping without adequate precautions, thereby contributing to the collision and necessitating an apportionment of fault.