Stinson v. Payne

203 N.W. 831, 231 Mich. 158, 1925 Mich. LEXIS 599
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedMay 14, 1925
DocketDocket No. 89.
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 203 N.W. 831 (Stinson v. Payne) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Stinson v. Payne, 203 N.W. 831, 231 Mich. 158, 1925 Mich. LEXIS 599 (Mich. 1925).

Opinions

*159 Bird, J.

In the early evening, but after dark, plaintiff was riding his bicycle without a light in a westerly direction on West Main street in the city of Owosso. While he was passing the intersection of West Main street and Shiawassee he collided with defendant’s automobile, which was being driven by Josephine Payne, his 15-year old daughter. The automobile was being driven in an easterly direction on West Main street, and intended to, and did, turn to the left on Shiawassee street. It is the claim of plaintiff that the collision occurred by reason of the automobile “cutting the corner.” As a result of the collision plaintiff claims he was thrown from his bicycle and severely injured. He recovered a judgment and defendant assigns error.

1. Defendant complains of the admission of the following testimony:

“Q. After the establishment of the boulevard lighting system what was the custom of riding bicycles on the streets lighted by the boulevard system here in Owosso? (Objected to. Overruled.)
“A. Why, it has never been in force to my knowledge. (Stricken out.)
“A. They do ride bicycles on the streets. (Objected to.)
“Q. I am talking about a bicycle being driven on the streets lighted by the boulevard system, without a light on the bicycle? (Objected to. Overruled.)
“A. They ride on the streets without lights; yes, sir.
“Q. Was that the custom?
“A. Yes, sir.”

This testimony was admitted after the following testimony was drawn from plaintiff on cross-examination :

“Q. Had it been your custom to sometimes ride your bicycle under similar circumstances. Had you ridden it before that fall?
“A. Yes, sir.
“Q. Had it been your custom to sometimes ride your bicycle under similar circumstances that you had *160 ridden it that fall, you ride home with your bicycle after dark without a light on, and of course, it was your intention that evening to ride that evening without a light on? (Objected to. Objection overruled and witness continues) :
“Q. To ride home with your bicycle after dark?
“A. Yes, sir.
“Q. Without a light on it?
“A. Yes, sir.”

Plaintiff argues that the testimony objected to was admissible because of the testimony on the same subject previously drawn from plaintiff on his cross-examination. There may be some doubt whether its admission can be supported on this ground. Defendant’s counsel had the right to show on the cross-examination of plaintiff that he violated the ordinance on the night in question, and had habitually violated the ordinance requiring a light on his bicycle as bearing on his contributory negligence on the evening of the accident. Testimony showing that plaintiff violated the ordinance was evidence of his negligence. Cook v. Johnston, 58 Mich. 437 (55 Am. Rep. 703); Westover v. Railway Co., 180 Mich. 373. After this testimony was admitted we think the testimony complained of was also admissible as bearing on the contributory negligence of plaintiff. If the ordinance were not enforced after conditions had changed and the business street was fully lighted, it would have some bearing on the conduct of plaintiff in proceeding without a light, although it would probably not wholly excuse his failure to observe it. We think no error was committed in admitting both bits of testimony quoted.

2. It was the claim of plaintiff that he was severely injured. This was denied by defendant, and the claim made that plaintiff was malingering. Testimony bearing on the physical condition of plaintiff, about a month after the accident and before suit was brought, *161 was shown by plaintiff’s brother, who resided at Mt. Pleasant:

“Q. What was his condition as to being able to move about, walk, or get about?
“A. He could walk on crutches very slow. * * *
“Q. How did he get from the depot up to your house on that occasion?
“A. I went up onto the — the train, helped him off, helped him on my car and from the car.
“Q. Let me ask you, did he walk off rapidly or, quickly, or slowly or with some hesitation, or how was 7 ‡ ‡
“A. He walked very slowly on his crutches. I also assisted him, too.
“Q. Describe the assistance that was given to him in attempting to move about, walk around? * * *
“A. When he went to move around I helped him.
“Q. When you got him up to your house, how did he get out of the automobile and get into your house? * * *
“A. I helped him.
“Q. How long after he had been to your place was it before you did get a doctor, if you did get one ? * * *
“A. I saw a doctor that day, but the doctor did not see him that day.
“Q. Did you get a prescription or medicine from him?
“A. I went and called the doctor in, he appeared. * * *
“Q. I am trying to find out when it was you got the doctor to act professionally for your brother, if you did do that? Did you do that or did you not?
“A. I did; yes, sir. * * * The doctor examined him. * * * He gave some quieting medicine to him. * * * I think the doctor saw him not over three or four times, but I saw him myself more than that. When I saw him I got medicine for him. * * *
“Q. When he was up in Mt. Pleasant, what was there about his physical condition that you noticed different from what you had seen and observed in him before the time of his injuries?
*162 “A. Well, he was a nervous wreck. (Stricken out.)
“Q. What demonstrations or emotions on his part did you observe representing his then existing physical condition? The court said you could answer it.
“The Court: Proceed. You may answer.
“A.

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Bluebook (online)
203 N.W. 831, 231 Mich. 158, 1925 Mich. LEXIS 599, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/stinson-v-payne-mich-1925.