Flash Tort: Teenage Girl Flashes Motorist Who Loses Control of Car and Hit Her

This is an excellent case for exploring the limits of comparative and contributing negligence. Cherelle May Dudfield, 18, is a New Zealand teenager who decided to flash passing cars. With her friends egging her own, she lifted her shirt. She succeeded in distracting one man who lost control of the car and ran her over.

Dudfield bounded off the “bonnet” (or hood) of the car and cracked the windshield on the four-lane road in the city of Invercargill, New Zealand.

She was given a $220 fine for disorderly conduct.

Yet, if she sued the driver, there would be a question of comparative negligence. In a modified comparative negligence jurisdiction, the question would be whether she was more than 50 percent at fault. If so, she would be barred from recovery. In a contributory negligence jurisdiction, she would most certainly be barred. In a pure comparative negligence jurisdiction, her percentage of negligence would be used to reduce the award. What percentage at fault is she in comparison to the driver? Should a driver be able to handle the vehicle while being flashed by pedestrian?

For the story, click here.

10 Responses to “Flash Tort: Teenage Girl Flashes Motorist Who Loses Control of Car and Hit Her”


  1. 1 Alan 1, December 18, 2009 at 8:41 am

    They would both make more money if they drop the lawsuit, get married and sell their story.

  2. 2 Buddha Is Laughing 1, December 18, 2009 at 8:48 am

    Having been flashed while driving, I squarely blame the driver.

    One sees all kinds of crazy distractions on the road yet does not run them over.

    If not? There would be no billboards left standing anywhere that weren’t built out of solid rock.

  3. 3 Anonymously Yours 1, December 18, 2009 at 9:27 am

    I would have to see what is complained about before making a statement.

  4. 4 Nal 1, December 18, 2009 at 10:14 am

    I would have to see the “evidence” before I could determine the percentage of negligence.

  5. 5 Byron 1, December 18, 2009 at 12:07 pm

    Nal:

    So if the Tatas were large you would find for the driver and if not for the “victim”?

    Such retrograde thinking from a cat :) , although it does give heart to small breasted women everywhere. They would be able to collect.

  6. 6 foo 1, December 18, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    As they say on the intertubes, pics or it didn’t happen.

  7. 7 Blouise 1, December 18, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    Alan

    They would both make more money if they drop the lawsuit, get married and sell their story.

    =============================================================
    lol … made my day!

  8. 8 Elaine M. 1, December 18, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    She who flashes
    Causes crashes!

  9. 9 Mike T 1, December 31, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    He who crashes
    Has defective synapses!

  10. 10 James 1, April 3, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    You’re allowed a collection of books from one author only for the rest of your life and no access to any others. Which author do you choose?


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