Tort Law

This page within Virginia Tort Case Law is a compilation of cases reported by the Virginia Supreme Court and summarized by Brien Roche dealing with the topic of Head-On Collision and the related topic of vehicle accidents.  For more information on traffic collisions see the pages on Wikipedia.

Head-On Collision-Cases

1984 Hereford v. Paytes, 226 Va. 604, 311 S.E.2d 790.

Physical evidence in this head-on collision indicated that both cars were on wrong side of road. One of parties, however, testified that he had veered his car to left so as to avoid oncoming car that was already in his lane.

1973 Johnson v. Slusher, 213 Va. 728, 195 S.E.2d 871.

Head-on collision; evidence presented by plaintiff not incredible. Jury proper tribunal to determine contributory negligence.

1970 Riley v. Harris, 211 Va. 359, 177 S.E.2d 630.

Plaintiff struck head-on by defendant while defendant passed truck in plaintiff’s lane of travel. Plaintiff made out prima facie case. Defendant made reasonable explanation and jury verdict in her favor was affirmed.

1968 State Farm Mut. Ins. Co. v. Futrell, 209 Va. 266, 163 S.E.2d 181.

Plaintiff hit head-on by defendant’s vehicle that was on wrong side of road and traveling at excessive rate of speed. Second defendant rear-ended plaintiff. Second defendant had been traveling in proper lane at reasonable speed and only slightly hit plaintiff’s vehicle. Not error to refuse to strike plaintiff’s evidence as to defendant number one; not error to strike as to defendant number two.

1967 Cook v. Virginia Holsum Bakeries, Inc., 207 Va. 815, 153 S.E.2d 209.

Head-on collision. Conflicting evidence as to which lane collision occurred. Jury could have concluded it happened in either. Question is proper one for jury.

1966 Maroulis v. Elliott, 207 Va. 503, 151 S.E.2d 339.

Head-on collision that caused multiple rear-end accident. Sudden stopping, proper lookout, proper control, following too close, and intervening cause discussed.

1966 Stevens v. Summers, 207 Va. 320, 150 S.E.2d 83.

Head-on collision at night on straight road. Each driver testified that other crossed over center line into wrong lane. Jury was proper tribunal to weigh conflicting evidence.

1962 Cunningham v. Farley, 203 Va. 478, 125 S.E.2d 184.

Conflicting evidence as to who was on wrong side of road.

1957 Smith v. Smith, 199 Va. 55, 97 S.E.2d 907.

Defendant on wrong side of road due to inattention. Head-on collision resulted.

1950 Hinton v. Gallagher, 190 Va. 421, 57 S.E.2d 131.

Driver has right to assume that oncoming driver will remain to right.

1949 Via v. Badanes, 189 Va. 44, 52 S.E.2d 174.

Passenger injured in head-on collision of two automobiles. Duty on part of driver of each vehicle to turn to right to avoid collision where it occurred near center line of highway.

1944 Royals v. Planters Mfg. Co., 182 Va. 694, 30 S.E.2d 20.

Two trucks collided head-on. Verdict for plaintiff.