Haust v. United States
Plaintiff Daniel J. Haust filed an action against the United States of America under the Federal Torts Claims Act, seeking compensatory damages for injuries from a 2008 motor vehicle accident. Haust's truck collided with a U.S. Postal Service vehicle operated by employee Angel Warner. Defendant moved for summary judgment, arguing Warner's conduct did not meet the "reckless disregard" standard for hazard vehicles, Haust was presumptively negligent in a rear-end collision, and his self-serving testimony was insufficient. The court denied the motion, finding triable issues of fact concerning Warner's precautions, the accident's location, and whether it was a sideswipe or a rear-end collision, which preclude summary judgment.