Court Opinion

ID: 9811198
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 22:12:45.660853+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:07:32.648338
License: Public Domain

ClaeksoN, J.,
dissenting:
Conceding that the principle of res ipsa loquitur does not apply, yet I think there was sufficient evidence to be *829submitted to the jury on the principle that the injury to plaintiff was caused by the negligence of defendant. I think there was evidence to show that in operating the car there was “heedlessness or his reckless disregard of the rights of others,” causing the injury. The operator ran into a shower — the road was wet. “The car went to the right, then it cut across to the left, then cut across to the right, and went off the highway and turned over.” It turned over one and a half times and landed with the wheels in the air, indicating that it was being operated at a high and dangerous rate of speed and in a heedless and reckless manner. At least this was evidence for the jury to consider on the issue of negligence. The car “zig-zagged” first to the right and then to the left and then again to the right — it was skidding on the wet road. The evidence was sufficient to be submitted to the jury as to defendant’s negligence and also as to whether, plaintiff was a guest under the South Carolina statute, in which state plaintiff was injured.
I think that such an interpretation should be given to evidence of this kind, so that a jury should pass on the facts and not this Court. It is necessary, in the preservation of life and limb, that the drivers of cars should be held to an accountability in their driving under such evidence here disclosed. Last year we had 1,123 killed and 7,990 injured in automobile wrecks in 7,413 accidents in North Carolina. Over 40,000 were killed in the nation in automobile wrecks. In one year more were killed in this nation than were killed in the "World War. This wreckage is left for the taxpayers and others to care for. It is a matter of common knowledge that premiums are paid to liability companies for the protection of guests in cars, unde? well settled law in this State, who are injured when there is negligence on the part of the driver. I think the judgment of nonsuit should be reversed.