Lapanday Agricultural v. Michael Raymond Angala

Summary

This case involves a vehicular accident where LADECO's crewcab, driven by employee Deocampo, collided with respondent Angala's pick-up. The Supreme Court found both drivers negligent: the pick-up driver violated traffic rules by making a U-turn from the wrong lane, while the crewcab driver was speeding. Applying the doctrine of last clear chance, the Court held Deocampo primarily liable as the rear vehicle driver who had the final opportunity to avoid collision. LADECO was held solidarily liable under Article 2180 of the Civil Code for failing to prove due diligence in employee supervision. The Court awarded actual and moral damages but deleted attorney's fees for lack of proper justification. The decision establishes important precedent on comparative negligence, last clear chance doctrine, and employer vicarious liability in vehicular accidents.