Opinion ID: 1290441
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Respondents' Liability.

Text: As to respondent Miller, appellant has simply failed to present any evidence upon which a reasonable inference of negligence could be based. Her contention that such an inference could be based upon Miller's failure to see decedent in time to avoid the impact is disposed of by our ruling in Johnson v. Brown, 77 Nev. 61, 359 P.2d 80 (1961). In affirming involuntary dismissal, we held that [I]t is not required of the driver of a vehicle to anticipate that a pedestrian would be crossing a boulevard in the middle of a block at any point other than within a marked crosswalk, any more than a driver should anticipate that a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction would suddenly cross over into his lane of traffic. A driver cannot be charged with failure to exercise due care toward a person so crossing the boulevard, unless such person is observed in time for the driver to avoid colliding with him. Id. at 66, 359 P.2d at 82. In this case, as in Johnson, there was no reason for a driver to anticipate that a pedestrian would suddenly appear in his path. Nor is there any evidence which would support an inference that Miller, driving in the dark, in the midst of rushhour traffic, actually saw Fennell in time to avoid a collision. Appellant's additional contentions with regard to Miller's negligence may be dismissed with the observation that a jury may not arbitrarily reject credible testimony which is contradicted neither by other testimony nor the available physical evidence. Kerr v. Mills, 87 Nev. 153, 483 P.2d 902 (1971). Appellant has discussed at length the duties of the various other respondents toward decedent. It is unnecessary to explore the issues thus raised, for we agree with respondents' contention that decedent was guilty of contributory negligence as a matter of law. [1] A pedestrian crossing a highway at any point other than an intersection or a marked crosswalk has a statutory duty to yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the highway. NRS 484.327, subd. 1. A pedestrian with such a duty has a corresponding duty to look in the direction or directions of anticipated danger, and to continue to be alert to safeguard against injury. Gibb v. Cleave, 12 Cal. App.2d 468, 55 P.2d 938, 939 (1936), quoting Lavin v. Fereria, 10 Cal. App.2d 710, 52 P.2d 518 (1935). The only reasonable inference which may be drawn from the established facts is that decedent, crossing the five-lane thoroughfare toward his guests, at an angle which placed his back to eastbound traffic, simply failed to continue to be alert to the approach of oncoming vehicles. It is clear that but for the negligence of decedent, who subjected both himself and oncoming vehicles to an unreasonable risk of harm in the circumstances presented, the accident would not have occurred. Appellant is thus precluded from recovering from the remaining respondents. See Gibb v. Cleave, supra ; Chase v. Thomas, 7 Cal. App.2d 440, 46 P.2d 200 (1935); Chiribel v. Southern Pac. Co., 79 Nev. 311, 383 P.2d 1 (1963); NRS 41.080. The judgment of the district court is affirmed.