Opinion ID: 2223963
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: We consider first whether plaintiff's evidence required submission of the cause to a jury.

Text: In considering the propriety of a directed verdict for defendant the court gives plaintiff's evidence the most favorable construction it will reasonably bear. Citation of authority is unnecessary. Rule 344(f)2, R.C.P. Generally questions of negligence, contributory negligence and proximate cause are for the jury; it is only in exceptional cases that they may be decided as matters of law. Rule 344(f)10, R.C.P. Plaintiff contends defendant was not free from negligence as a matter of law. Of course, he has the burden to prove defendant's negligence by substantial evidence of sufficient weight to generate a jury question. Christensen v. Kelley, 257 Iowa 1320, 1325, 135 N.W.2d 510, 513. He argues there was sufficient evidence to require submission of at least five of his pleaded specifications of negligence and Bair's operation of his vehicle did not constitute an independent intervening cause. Defendant contends the trial court properly directed a verdict as plaintiff's evidence fails to establish any negligence on his part. He argues there is evidence he did maintain a proper lookout, yield the right-of-way, was not negligent in backing onto a highway when there were no vehicles in view or within 470 feet, there was no evidence he was meeting plaintiff and failed to drive on his right-hand side nor was he driving over a hill. Defendant further contends the action of the trial court was correct because the evidence correctly established Bair's negligence was the sole proximate cause of plaintiff's injuries. As to this affirmative defense defendant would have the burden of proof. As to the duty owed by defendant in backing his vehicle from a private driveway onto a public highway, both parties appear to be in agreement. They cite Carstensen v. Thomsen, 215 Iowa 427, 245 N.W. 734. The authorities seem to agree as to the extent of this duty. Backing a motor vehicle from private property onto a public highway is an operation demanding a high degree of skill and caution to avoid danger or injury to any vehicle on the highway, and one engaged in such operation must use greater care than is required of one driving along the highway. In backing an automobile from a private driveway onto a public street, the driver must exercise such care as a prudent person, with realization of the extreme danger, would exercise under similar circumstances, and he may be required to exercise a higher degree of care than when going forward onto a highway. In the exercise of due care, a motorist backing from a driveway should maintain a proper lookout, give a warning as to his intentions, and bring the vehicle to a stop at the end of the driveway, and a failure to exercise any of these precautions may constitute negligence. 3 Blashfield Automobile Law and Practice, Third Ed., § 120.17. In 8 Am.Jur.2d, Automobiles and Highway Traffic, § 793, it is stated: However, it has been stated that more than usual care is required in backing out of a private driveway, and that one backing from private property onto a public highway must use greater care than would be required of one driving along the highway. The operator of a motor vehicle backing onto a public highway or street from private property is under a duty of yielding the right-of-way in the road or sidewalk to other travelers, must exercise at least reasonable care commensurate with the circumstances to look out for other users of the road or sidewalk, and must refrain from backing into the public way until he ascertains that such movement may be made with safety. In 60 C.J.S. Motor Vehicles, § 345b, the editors say: Backing out from private property onto a public highway is an operation demanding a high degree of skill and caution to avoid danger or injury to any person on the highway or collision with any vehicle thereon. The care required in such case has been characterized as ordinary care, great care, such care as a prudent person with a realization of the extreme danger should exercise, and that degree of caution and vigilance that an ordinarily careful and vigilant driver would exercise under similar circumstances to avoid collision with approaching vehicles; and it has been stated that an operator should not proceed into the highway unless, as a reasonably prudent and cautious person, he believes, and has a right to believe, that entry may be made with due regard to other vehicles approaching on the same side of the highway. Usually one engaged in such operation must use greater care than would be required of one driving along the highway. It is the duty of the operator to keep a lookout   . The degree of diligence and attention required of a driver in a particular case in exercising reasonable care will vary with, and must be measured in the light of, all the surrounding circumstances, including physical facts generally   . 60 C.J.S. Motor Vehicles § 247. Carstensen v. Thomsen, supra, is cited in the footnote as support for the first C.J.S. text. At page 431 of 215 Iowa, page 736 of 245 N.W., we said:    It is, however, the duty of one thus entering a highway [by backing from a private driveway] to look and not to proceed therein unless, as a reasonably prudent and cautious person, he believes, and has a right to believe, that the highway may be entered with due regard to the safety of other vehicles approaching on the same side of the highway (citing cases).