Sim Tian Siang v Aw Yong Chyn Long: Negligence & Motor Accident Liability on PIE
In Suit No 1267 of 2016, the High Court of Singapore heard a negligence claim brought by Sim Tian Siang, the administrator of the estate of Shoo Hui Meng (deceased), against Aw Yong Chyn Long and Thien Chin Tin, arising from a fatal motor accident on the Pan Island Expressway (PIE). The court, presided over by Lai Siu Chiu SJ, found Thien Chin Tin 90% liable and Aw Yong Chyn Long 10% liable for the accident. The court awarded interlocutory judgment to Sim Tian Siang, with damages to be assessed by the Registrar.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court of Singapore1.2 Outcome
Interlocutory judgment awarded to the plaintiff against the first and second defendants in the proportion of 10% and 90% liability respectively.
1.3 Case Type
Civil
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
High Court judgment on a fatal motor accident on the PIE. The court found the second defendant 90% liable for negligence.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sim Tian Siang | Plaintiff | Individual | Interlocutory Judgment | Partial | |
| Aw Yong Chyn Long | Defendant | Individual | Liability Established | Lost | |
| Thien Chin Tin | Defendant | Individual | Liability Established | Lost |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Lai Siu Chiu | Senior Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Ranvir Kumar Singh | UniLegal LLC |
| Appoo Ramesh | Just Law LLC |
4. Facts
- On 27 June 2014, Shoo Hui Meng was riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by Aw Yong Chyn Long on the PIE.
- The motorcycle collided with a car driven by Thien Chin Tin.
- Shoo Hui Meng suffered serious head injuries and later passed away.
- Aw Yong Chyn Long pleaded guilty to a criminal charge under s 337(b) of the Penal Code.
- The video footage from Thien Chin Tin's in-vehicle camera showed the collision occurred when the car was in the second lane.
- The court found Thien Chin Tin's version of events not credible.
5. Formal Citations
- Sim Tian Siang (administrator of the estate of Shoo Hui Meng, deceased)vAw Yong Chyn Long and another, Suit No 1267 of 2016, [2018] SGHC 244
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Motor accident occurred on the Pan Island Expressway involving Shoo Hui Meng, Aw Yong Chyn Long, and Thien Chin Tin. | |
| Thien Chin Tin lodged a police report. | |
| Sim Tian Siang lodged a police report. | |
| Thien Chin Tin filed a Singapore Accident Report. | |
| Aw Yong Chyn Long lodged a police report. | |
| Sim Tian Siang applied to the High Court of Malaya at Johor Bahru to be Shoo Hui Meng's litigation representative. | |
| Criminal charges brought against Aw Yong Chyn Long under s 337(b) of the Penal Code. | |
| Aw Yong Chyn Long pleaded guilty to the criminal charge and was fined $2,500. | |
| Sim Tian Siang commenced Suit No 1267 of 2016 against Aw Yong Chyn Long and Thien Chin Tin. | |
| Aw Yong Chyn Long accepted service of the proceedings in Singapore. | |
| Shoo Hui Meng passed away. | |
| Grant of letters of administration of Shoo Hui Meng's estate issued to Sim Tian Siang. | |
| Court order obtained to continue proceedings in the Suit. | |
| Trial on liability in Suit No 1267 of 2016 concluded. | |
| Grounds for judgment set out. |
7. Legal Issues
- Negligence
- Outcome: The court found both defendants negligent, apportioning liability 10% to the first defendant and 90% to the second defendant.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Damages for negligence
9. Cause of Actions
- Negligence
10. Practice Areas
- Personal Injury
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed) s 337(b) | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Motor accident
- Negligence
- Pan Island Expressway
- In-vehicle camera
- Pillion rider
- Skid marks
15.2 Keywords
- motor accident
- negligence
- Singapore
- PIE
- fatal accident
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Automobile Accidents | 95 |
| Negligence | 90 |
| Motor accident | 85 |
| Personal Injury | 80 |
| Torts | 75 |
| Evidence | 40 |
| Criminal Procedure | 30 |
| Criminal Law | 20 |
16. Subjects
- Tort Law
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Civil Litigation