Case ID: ohio-law-abs_4/html/0058-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "MARSHALL, C. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

No. 75
    No. 19042
    Mae Post Buell, Admx., v. N. Y. C. R. R. Co.
    Error to the Court of Appeals of Erie county.
    301. CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE — 1. Where a motion for a directed verdict is made on the ground that plaintiff’s evidence raises .presumption of contributory negligence, such evidence to be given the most favorable interpretation.
    2. If the evidence is so interpreted, and no other inference than that of contributory negligence is drawn therefrom, and defendant’s conduct is not wilful or malicious, duty of the court to direct verdict.
   MARSHALL, C. J.

1. Where in an action for negligence a motion is made for directed verdict in defendant’s favor at the close of plaintiff’s evidence on the ground that plaintiff’s evidence raises a presumption of contributory negligence, the issue raised by such motion requires that plaintiff’s evidence be given the most favorable interpretation and if such evidence under such interpretation is susceptible of no other reasonable inference than that of negligence on his part directly contributing to the injury and defendant’s conduct is not shown to be wilful or malicious and plaintiff is not aided by any other evidence in the case, it becomes the duty of the court to direct a verdict.

2. The determination of an issue raised by such motion involves the consideration only of uncontroverted evidence and does not require the court to weigh the evidence and unanimous action on the part of the court of appeals is not required in order to reverse the judgment of the trial court thereon.

3. When the defendant makes such motion and the same is overruled and proper exceptions allowed and such motion is renewed at the close of all the evidence and again overruled with proper exceptions and the question is argued on motion for new trial and upon error in the court of appeals, it becomes the duty of this court to examine the record to determine whether a presumption of contributory negligence arises from plaintiff’s testimony and whether such presumption is met by any other evidence in the case, and if in the opinion of this court such presumption prevails it is the duty of this court to render final judgment.

4. Where an automobile is stalled upon the track of a railroad at a highway crossing and the driver of the car leaves the car and stands upon the track and such driver is in full possession of his faculties of sight and hearing and knows of the approach of a rapidly moving train and has time and opportunity to seek a place of safety and fails to do so, a reasonable _ presumption of negligence contributing to his injury and death arises and requires that a verdict be directed in defendant’s favor.

Jones and Day, JJ., concur. Kinkade, J., not participating. Robinson, J., dissents.