Using sudden brakes without warning to make driver negligent in accident cases SC

New Delhi- The Supreme Court of India has ruled that if a driver applies sudden brakes without any warning or reason, they can be considered negligent in the case of an accident. The court observed that drivers must ensure their actions do not endanger others on the road, especially those following behind.

The verdict came while hearing a case involving a collision where the lead vehicle stopped abruptly, causing the vehicle behind it to crash. The insurance company had denied liability, claiming the following driver was at fault. However, the apex court noted that the lead driver’s action was the primary cause of the accident due to the sudden braking without proper signal or justification.

The bench said that drivers have a responsibility to maintain road safety and communicate their movements, especially when making unexpected stops. If not, they could be held legally liable for negligence under motor accident laws.

The court added that the assumption that the vehicle behind is always responsible is not always valid. Each case must be judged on specific facts, including the behavior of the lead driver. The court directed authorities and insurance companies to assess accident cases with a balanced view rather than relying only on assumptions.

This judgment is likely to impact how traffic accident claims are handled in the future and may influence how insurance companies assign responsibility