Burgdorff v. International Business MacHines Corp.

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE SIMON

delivered the opinion of the court:

Plaintiff Burgdorff was the driver of an automobile which was struck in the rear by an automobile driven by defendant Albrecht, an employee of co-defendant IBM. Burgdorff sued for injuries he claims he suffered, contending Albrecht was driving too fast and following Burgdorff’s car too closely. He alleges IBM is liable as Albrecht’s employer.

The accident occurred on the Stevenson expressway on a clear, dry afternoon in July 1972. Burgdorff and Albrecht were driving their cars in the outside lane with Albrecht following Burgdorff. A…