Case ID: njl_110/html/0349-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

WARREN REHFUSS, BY HIS NEXT FRIEND, GEORGE REHFUSS, AND THE SAID GEORGE REHFUSS, PLAINTIFFS-RESPONDENTS, v. PROSPECT BOILER COMPANY, A CORPORATION, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
    Argued February 10, 1933
    Decided February 10, 1933.
    For the defendant-appellant, George L. Burton.
    
    For the plaintiffs-respondents, Theodore Strong & Son {Stephen V. R. Strong and Theodore Strong, Jr.).
    
   Per Curiam.

The defendant assigns error because the trial court refused at the close of the plaintiffs’ ease to grant a motion for a nonsuit, because of the plaintiffs’ contributory negligence. Plaintiff, an infant, while standing astraddle his motorcycle in the center of that part of Lincoln Highway known as Raritan avenue, in the borough of Highland Park, was thrown to the pavement by the force of the defendant’s automobile backing into him. The testimony indicates that the defendant’s automobile had come to a stop at a street intersection. The plaintiff brought his motorcycle to a stop about three feet behind the defendant’s car. While he was adjusting some materials strapped in the luggage carrier, the defendant, without warning, backed his car into the plaintiff, causing the injuries complained of. Such facts do not show, as a matter of law, contributory negligence as the proxiniate cause of the injury.

The Traffic act (Pamph. L. 1915, p. 288, § 3) provides: “Before backing, ample warning shall be given, and while backing, unceasing vigilance shall be exercised not to injure those behind.”

In view of the language of the statute, the court’s ruling seems proper. Melia v. Malicke Bus Co., 7 N. J. Mis. R. 860.

The judgment is affirmed.

For affirmance — Paekee, Lloyd, Case, Bodíete, Beogaet, Hehee, Yah Buskiek, Kays, Heteield, Deae, JJ. 10.

For reversal — None.