Collisions

Information regarding collisions.

Entering Angle Parking

BC Courts Coat of Arms imageThe case of Haughian v Jiwa determines liability for a crash on Sunset Street in Burnaby. The driver who caused the crash was trying to enter an angle parking space improperly and was struck by the driver following behind her in the adjacent lane. What is unique in this incident is that the spaces here requires a driver to back in.

VIDEO - 120 MPH Crash Test

VideoJoin the folks at Fifth Gear as they crash a Ford Focus into a barrier at 120 mph or 193 km/h. After you take a look at the result, remember that a two vehicle head on crash at freeway speeds here in BC is somewhat the same. Two vehicles coming together at 100 KM/H each is the energy equivalent of this car striking the barrier at 200 km/h. Regardless of the circumstances, you don't want this to happen to you.

Failing to Take Reasonable Care

BC Courts Coat of ArmsRoad users, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, have a duty to take reasonable care for themselves and others. If they do not follow the traffic rules they assume a heightened duty of care according to the courts. In this case both the driver and the cyclist involved failed to do so and collided with each other.

CASE LAW - Wong-Lai v Ong

BC Courts Coat of ArmsMrs. Wong-Lai and her husband were crossing Prior Street between Gore and Dunlevy in Vancouver to return to their car. They were struck by a car driven by Mr. Ong. The older couple were not able to cross the street quickly, had chosen to cross where there was not a crosswalk on a wide, busy street at night in a heavy rain.

The Good Samaritan

Crash HelperVirtually every crash scene that I attended during my policing career featured at least one good samaritan. These were people who stopped to help another in a time of need, often at some risk to themselves. This kind of selflessness is encouraged with protection granted by law in British Columbia.

VIDEO - Which Side of the Car do You Exit on?

VideoThis Dutch Hyundai Velostar advertising video (subtitled in English) could really make you think about which side of the vehicle you exit on. In this case, the Hyundai concept is that you cannot exit on the driver's side because there is no rear passenger door there, forcing passengers to exit on the safe side.

Pedestrian vs Motorcycle Collision

BC Courts Coat of Arms imageThis case decides the liability for a collision involving a motorcycle and a pedestrian on Rutland Road near the intersection of Leathead Road in Kelowna. The pedestrian walked into traffic without looking and the view of the motorcycle rider was obstructed by a parked truck.

Q&A - Driving Without Reasonable Consideration for Others

Q&A ImageI was driving along no.6 in Richmond with a girlfriend and reached into my bag for smokes and an oncoming car came so I swerved a bit to the right and hit a hydro pole because it was so close to the shoulder and I ended up into a ditch. I wasn't speeding, it was a single car collision and nobody got hurt. Needless to say the car was a total loss.