Court Opinion

ID: 9539785
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:10:17.499451+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:20.287077
License: Public Domain

CARMODY, Justice (dissenting). I join in the dissent of Justice NOBLE, and would add to it that, although I approve of the doctrine that a motorist must exercise a higher degree of care where children are concerned, I cannot subscribe to the apparent rule adopted by the majority that the mere happening of an accident constitutes prima facie evidence of negligence on the part of the driver. The defendant was traveling so slowly as to be almost a menace to other motoring public, yet the majority is able to find substantial evidence of negligence toward this child, apparently because of the driver’s failure to bring his truck to a complete standstill — such was his only other alternative. To me, the evidence is plain that the defendant was exercising the degree of care which should be expected of a reasonably prudent person, and, in my opinion, the trial court was in error in allowing the case to go to the jury.