Traffic Accident Liability: Sudden Braking vs. Following Distance

A dispute arose regarding liability for damages following a traffic accident where a driver, despite maintaining a safe following distance, was unable to avoid colliding with a preceding vehicle that had suddenly braked without signaling, leading to a judgment finding the trailing driver at fault. The Court of Cassation rejected the appeal, reasoning that while sudden braking without warning constitutes a fault, the following driver retains an absolute obligation to maintain a speed and distance that allows them to react appropriately to any foreseeable maneuver, including unexpected braking, and therefore, the trial court was justified in concluding that the trailing driver failed to demonstrate they were not at fault for the collision.