Opinion ID: 413201
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Subsequent negligence

Text: 35 The court instructed the jury that, despite a finding of contributory negligence by Phyllis, they could return a verdict for the Willinghams on the basis of subsequent negligence by the bus driver. Defendant contends that no evidence supports this instruction. Under the driver's testimony he became aware of the peril of the Willingham car at a time when he was sufficiently far behind it that he would have been able to stop but for the failure of the brakes on the bus. He testified that he applied his brakes but that they failed. No maintenance records, post-accident examination, or any other evidence, supported this testimony of brake failure. Other witnesses testified that they saw the bus brake and heard it brake, that it immediately decreased its speed, and that it stopped pretty quickly. 36 From this evidence the jury was entitled to infer that the driver became aware of the peril of the Willingham car at a time when he was sufficiently far behind it to stop the bus, and to infer also that his explanation of brake failure was false. Thus, the jury could conclude that the driver, with knowledge of peril and with time and distance sufficient to stop, failed to stop, that his explanation of brake failure as the reason for failing to stop was untrue, and that his failure was negligent. 37 AFFIRMED.