Opinion ID: 1968391
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Negligence of Gustafson.

Text: In passing on the issue of Gustafson's causal negligence it is only necessary to consider the evidence which tends to sustain the jury finding with respect to this issue. Sturm v. Simpson's Garment Co. (1956), 271 Wis. 587, 590, 74 N. W. (2d) 137. The accident occurred at about 9:45 p. m. The only eyewitness was plaintiff Jensen. She testified that when she first saw the Gustafson car it was over on our side meaning the southbound traffic lane. When asked if she made any outcry or voiced warning to Stanley she replied, There wasn't time. Peterson, a traffic officer, investigated the accident and arrived on the scene shortly after the accident. He found two gouge marks in the southbound traffic lane, and also found tracks leading from just north of these marks, continuing onto the west shoulder and leading directly to the Stanley car, which had come to rest in the west ditch, facing easterly. The gouge marks were located just slightly over seven feet from the west edge of the pavement. The pavement was blacktop, 27½ feet wide. One gouge mark was a foot long and from three fourths of an inch to one inch wide. The other was about eight inches long and approximately three to four inches wide. Officer Peterson also testified that most of the debris was on the west side of the highway, which would be the southbound lane. It is this answer which defendant unsuccessfully sought to have changed in connection with its amended motions after verdict. While there is evidence which tends to contradict some of the foregoing, it was for the jury to resolve such conflict. If the jury were satisfied from the evidence that the point of impact occurred in the southbound traffic lane, they would be warranted in making the findings that Gustafson was causally negligent. After a review of the record we conclude that there is credible evidence to support such findings.