In a ruling that could open the door to more suits against state agencies, a New Jersey appeals court has narrowed the application of an immunity clause enjoyed by government entities for injuries caused by the weather.

The Appellate Division reopened a suit by a driver whose car was rear-ended by a New Jersey Transit bus during a snowstorm, finding that error by the bus driver might have contributed to the crash. A trial judge had thrown out the case based on a portion of the Tort Claims Act that excludes public entities and public employees from liability for injuries caused solely by the impact of weather on roadways.