Q: Can an accident be the negligence ?
Ans: When the accident explains only one thing i.e. the accident could not ordinarily occur unless the defendant been negligent the law raises a presumption of negligence on the part of the defendant. In such a case, it is sufficient for the plaintiff to prove accident and nothing more. The defendant can, however, avoid his liability by disproving negligence on his part (rebuttal of the presumption of negligence).
The application of the maxim has been explained thus: "There must be reasonable evidence of negligence, but where the thing is shown to be under the management of the defendant or his servants, and the accident in such as, in the ordinary course of things, does not happen, if those who have the management use proper care, it affords reasonable evidence, in the absence of explanation by the defendant that the accident arose from want of care" [Scott v London & St. Katherine Docks Co. (1865) 3 H&C 596].
Comments
Post a Comment