Estate of Bachman v Hong, 2019 NY Slip Op 00977 [1st Dept. 2019]
Although discovery had not yet been taken, the motion was not premature as to liability because defendant, as the driver, has knowledge of how the accident occurred and did not show any need for discovery on that issue (see Delgado v Martinez Family Auto, 113 AD3d 426, 427 [1st Dept 2014]; Johnson v Phillips, 261 AD2d 269, 270, 272 [1st Dept 1999]; CPLR 3212[f]).
On the other hand, plaintiff failed to meet her prima facie evidence on the serious injury issue because she neglected to submit admissible evidence supporting her allegation that she suffered a fractured finger and sternum (CPLR 3212[a];Winegrad v New York Univ. Med. Ctr., 64 NY2d 851, 853 [1985]). Although plaintiff’s hospital records were submitted on reply, that did not provide defendant with any opportunity to submit medical evidence in opposition or to address whether the records supported the injuries alleged in the complaint. Further, the motion was premature because defendant had not received those documents or conducted any discovery [*2]on the serious injury issue before the motion was made (see Cruz v Skeritt, 140 AD3d 554, 555 [1st Dept 2016]; Global Mins. & Metals Corp. v Holme, 35 AD3d 93, 103 [1st Dept 2006], lv denied 8 NY3d 804 [2007]).
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