Chai Yew Cian v Yeoh Yeow Yee: Negligence in Road Traffic Accident at Jurong Town Hall Road Junction

In Chai Yew Cian v Yeoh Yeow Yee and others, the High Court of Singapore heard a case arising from a road traffic accident at the junction of Jurong Town Hall Road and Gateway Link on 12 July 2012. The plaintiff, Chai Yew Cian, a pillion rider on a motorcycle driven by the first defendant, Yeoh Yeow Yee, sustained injuries when the motorcycle collided with a bus driven by the second defendant, an employee of the third defendant. The court, presided over by Judith Prakash J, found both the first and second defendants negligent and apportioned liability 85% to the first defendant and 15% to the second and third defendants. The court awarded judgment for the plaintiff against all defendants for damages to be assessed.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Judgment for the plaintiff against all the defendants for damages to be assessed.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

A road traffic accident case where the plaintiff, a pillion rider, sustained injuries due to a collision between a motorcycle and a bus at Jurong Town Hall Road. The court found both the motorcyclist and bus driver negligent.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Chai Yew CianPlaintiffIndividualJudgment for PlaintiffWonNamasivayam Srinivasan
Yeoh Yeow YeeDefendantIndividualLiability ApportionedLostGangadharan Prasanna Devi
Second DefendantDefendantIndividualLiability ApportionedPartialTeo Weng Kie, Shahira bte Mohd Anuar
Third DefendantDefendantCorporationLiability ApportionedPartialTeo Weng Kie, Shahira bte Mohd Anuar

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Judith PrakashJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Namasivayam SrinivasanHoh Law Corporation
Gangadharan Prasanna DeviPrasanna Devi & Co
Teo Weng KieTan Kok Quan Partnership
Shahira bte Mohd AnuarTan Kok Quan Partnership

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiff was a pillion rider on a motorcycle driven by the first defendant.
  2. The motorcycle collided with a bus driven by the second defendant, an employee of the third defendant.
  3. The accident occurred at the traffic-light controlled cross-junction of Jurong Town Hall Road and Gateway Link.
  4. The traffic lights were green in favor of the bus at the time the bus entered the junction.
  5. The first defendant was making a right turn into Gateway Link.
  6. The second defendant was proceeding straight across the junction.
  7. The first defendant was late for work.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Chai Yew Cian v Yeoh Yeow Yee and others, Suit No 279 of 2014, [2015] SGHC 124

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Road traffic accident occurred
Suit filed (Suit No 279 of 2014)
Judgment reserved

7. Legal Issues

  1. Negligence
    • Outcome: The court found both the first and second defendants negligent.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Failure to keep a proper lookout
      • Failure to give way
      • Inconsiderate driving
    • Related Cases:
      • [1988] 1 SLR(R) 554
      • [2007] 2 SLR(R) 211

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Damages for personal injuries

9. Cause of Actions

  • Negligence

10. Practice Areas

  • Personal Injury
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents

11. Industries

  • Transportation

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Tan Eng Bok v Kim Meng KokUnknownYes[1988] 1 SLR(R) 554SingaporeCited for the principle that in a road accident involving an innocent party, the inference is that the collision was caused by the negligence of one or both defendants, who must then rebut the inference.
SBS Transit Ltd v Stafford Rosemary Anne JaneUnknownYes[2007] 2 SLR(R) 211SingaporeCited for the principle that a motorist must act on the basis that there may be negligence and incompetence on the part of other road users and to make allowance for them.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Road Traffic Act (Cap 276, 2004 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Road traffic accident
  • Negligence
  • Right of way
  • Apportionment of liability
  • Duty of care
  • Junction
  • Motorcycle
  • Bus

15.2 Keywords

  • Road traffic accident
  • Negligence
  • Jurong Town Hall Road
  • Motorcycle
  • Bus
  • Singapore
  • High Court

16. Subjects

  • Tort
  • Road Accidents
  • Civil Litigation

17. Areas of Law

  • Tort Law
  • Negligence
  • Road Traffic Law