J. F. Darmody Co. v. Reed

111 N.E. 317, 60 Ind. App. 662, 1916 Ind. App. LEXIS 24
CourtIndiana Court of Appeals
DecidedFebruary 2, 1916
DocketNo. 8,940
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 111 N.E. 317 (J. F. Darmody Co. v. Reed) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Indiana Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
J. F. Darmody Co. v. Reed, 111 N.E. 317, 60 Ind. App. 662, 1916 Ind. App. LEXIS 24 (Ind. Ct. App. 1916).

Opinion

Shea, J.

This was an action to recover damages for personal injuries sustained by appellee by reason of appellant’s alleged negligence in running [664]*664one of its automobiles against Mm. The allegations of the complaint show in substance that appellant is a corporation engaged in operating delivery automobiles in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, in connection with its confectionery business; that on March 20, 1913, appellee was non sui juris, and is now an infant about six years old, bringing this action by his next friend, James F. Calvin; that on said date appellee, in company with said Calvin, was walking on West Michigan Street in the city of Indianapolis, upon a public sidewalk, and across a driveway leading into a grocery store, which was a part of the sidewalk, that at said time and place appellant, by its agents and servants, negligently propelled one of its automobiles upon and against appellee, whereby he was thrown to the ground and seriously injured. Appellant answered the complaint in general denial. There was a trial by jury, and verdict and judgment in favor of appellee for $600. The only error relied on for a reversal is the overruling of appellant’s motion for a new trial, in support of which it is assigned and argued that the verdict of the jury is not sustained by sufficient evidence, and is contrary to law.

The evidence discloses that appellee was six years old and lived with his uncle, James F. Calvin, who was with him at the time of the accident, at 2611 West Michigan Street; that Calvin had taken the boy to a barber shop, a distance of about seventy feet from his house, on the same side of the street, and was returMng home; that the accident occurred about ten o’clock in the morning, and about fifty feet from appellee’s home; that there is a private driveway between the house and barber shop running north and south, which crossed the sidewalk of Michigan Street on which Calvin and appellee were walking, and was a part of same. [665]*665From the street to the driveway proper there was a slight elevation of about ten inches, slanting from the street upwards to within about five feet of the property line, from which point it was practically level with the property line. Appellant’s automobile, a covered delivery machine, was going west on Michigan Street, and turned south to get across the driveway. Appellee and his uncle were slowly walking west toward the driveway, in the same direction the auto was going, the boy being nearest the property fine. Calvin testifies that he and appellee had hardly stepped off the sidewalk onto the driveway when the accident occurred; that they started to make the step at the same time, but as he was taller, appellee pitched forward a little, probably a foot ahead of him and the fender of appellant’s automobile struck appelle'e and knocked him down; the front wheel ran over his right foot; that he jerked appellee out before the back wheels struck him, but he hit his head and shoulders on the concrete driveway; that no horn or whistle was sounded and the machine came upon them at great speed from the rear; that the fender hit Calvin across the arm; that there was a step down from the level of the sidewalk onto the driveway within a foot of the property line of about six to seven inches.

1. [666]*6662. 3. 4. 1. [665]*665It is argued in support of appellant’s contention that “the evidence shows that appellee and witness, Calvin, deliberately walked into appellant’s automobile as they walked westward”, thus causing the injury complained of; that they had good eyesight and hearing, and there was nothing to obstruct the view. It must be remembered that appellee and Calvin were walking in the same direction the automobile was traveling, and that it approached them from the rear; that the movement [666]*666of the automobile was much more rapid than the movements of the parties; that the fact that they did not see the automobile until it struck them is undisputed. There is a dispute as to whether appellant’s servants sounded the horn, or made any effort to notify appellee of the approach of the auto, although the driver of the car saw appellee and his foster father approaching the driveway and very near it. The question of appellant’s negligence, as well as the negligence of appellee, was submitted to the jury. This court will not weigh the evidence for .the purpose of determining upon which side the greater weight lies in any ease. Under the circumstances of this case, we need not consider the question as to whether appellee was guilty of negligence which contributed to his injury. He was an infant less than six years of age, and the jury by its verdict finds that he had not reached the age of accountability. In the eyes of the law he was non sui juris. The evidence shows he was walking along the street in the direction of his home, at a place where he had a perfect right to be, and if he was gazing in at a shop window, as the driver of the machine states, then it was the driver’s duty to use the precautions which the circumstances required to inform appellee of his approach. It was at least his duty to sound the horn, which the general verdict of the jury finds he did not do. He was required to use this care regardless of the age of appellee. It must be taken into account that the use of this crossing was confined to persons who had business with the occupants of adjoining premises, most of the witnesses calling it a private driveway, which fact must be considered in determining the degree of care required of appellant. We can not say under these circumstances that the ver[667]*667diet is contrary to law. Saylor v. Union Traction Co. (1907), 40 Ind. App. 381, 81 N. E. 94; Louisville, etc., R. Co. v. Sears (1894), 11 Ind. App. 654, 38 N. E. 837; Hammond, etc., St. R. Co. v. Blockie (1907), 40 Ind, App. 497, 82 N. E. 541; Elwood, etc., R. Co. v. Ross (1901), 26 Ind. App. 258, 265, 58 N. E. 535.

5. It is next urged that the damages assessed by the jury are excessive. There is much evidence as to the physical condition of appellee both before and after the accident. It is very strenuously argued that there was no injury of a permanent character, or even of a serious nature; that the immediate ill effects were due to fright rather than physical injury. The amount of the recovery is $600. There is evidence that appellee was struck by the automobile and knocked down on the concrete pavement, and rendered unconscious; that he remained in a semi-conscious condition until the next day; that his leg and foot were injured; that his eyes, which before the accident had been in fair condition, were now crossed; that his nervous system was severely shocked and that there was a change in his temperament subsequent to the accident. Under such circumstances we can not say that the verdict of the jury was the result of corruption, passion or prejudice, and, therefore, can not say that the damages assessed are excessive. Joseph E. Lay Co. v. Mendenhall (1913), 54 Ind. App. 342, 102 N. E. 974; Indianapolis Traction, etc., Co. v. Beckman (1907), 40 Ind. App. 100, 81 N. E. 82; Oolitic Stone Co. v. Ridge (1910), 174 Ind. 558, 582, 91 N. E. 944; Terre Haute, etc., Traction Co. v. Maberry (1913), 52 Ind. App. 114, 100 N. E. 401.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
111 N.E. 317, 60 Ind. App. 662, 1916 Ind. App. LEXIS 24, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/j-f-darmody-co-v-reed-indctapp-1916.