The Pike maneuver

Personal injury trials often feature unexpected testimony that can significantly influence jury perception. In this case from a New York no-fault insurance matter, a witness introduced an unusual term that demonstrates how pop culture references can make their way into legal proceedings. The incident occurred at the intersection of the southbound Hutchinson River Parkway and Cross-County Parkway, where the defendant’s explanation of events took an unexpected turn.

The case illustrates how witnesses sometimes rely on questionable sources for their understanding of vehicle dynamics and accident reconstruction. This type of testimony can create challenges for attorneys who must address unconventional theories while maintaining focus on the actual facts and evidence in personal injury cases.

Jason Tenenbaum’s Analysis:

In a recent Personal injury trial, the defendant stated that plaintiff engaged in a “Pike maneuver” on the S/B Hutchinson at its intersection with the Cross-County Parkway. When asked what a Pike maneuver was, the witness stated it involved a certain type of impact between a police vehicle and the claimant vehicle, causing the claimant vehicle to go “perpendicular”. The witness learned the Pike maneuver was from watching Cops. The jury seemed enamored with the Pike maneuver and this witnesses desire to be a race car driver following his attendance at Miller Motor Sports in Utah.

In case you are wondering why I posted this, I promised Plaintiff on the counterclaim that I would “go public” about the Pike maneuver. As a man of my word, here it is.

Key Takeaway

This case highlights how witnesses may introduce unreliable or entertainment-based “expertise” during trial testimony. While the jury appeared receptive to the witness’s colorful description, such testimony demonstrates the importance of thorough cross-examination to expose questionable sources of knowledge that could mislead fact-finders in serious legal proceedings.