Cowan v. Jensen

On September 29, 1967, at approximately 7:45 a.m., the freeway through Seattle (Interstate 5) was busy, as is usual at that time on weekdays. Near the Seneca Street off ramp, traffic in the northbound lanes was congested.

Appellant Cowan, driving car number 1, brought his car to a complete stop due to traffic conditions. Cars numbers 2 and 3 also stopped safely. All three cars were in the center northbound lane of Interstate 5.

Respondent Jensen did not stop, but hit car number 3 and started a chain reaction which finally forced car number 2 against car number 1, plaintiff’s car. Visibility was…