Patterson v. Lively
Patterson v. Lively
Opinion of the Court
Appellants appeal an adverse verdict in a case involving a rear-end collision between two trucks. Their appeal is based on the sole contention that the driver of the colliding truck (plaintiff below) was contribu-torily negligent as a matter of law and should be barred from recovery because of Florida’s “range of vision” rule.
The facts surrounding this accident are as follows: About 1:30 a. m., on July 2, 1969, a motorist was driving north on the Sunshine State Parkway when he developed car trouble. The motorist pulled his car completely off the highway on the right side of the Parkway and signaled for help. The driver of a truck, also proceeding north (not involved in the accident), saw the motorist, pulled his truck completely off the road behind the disabled car and stopped, with both brake and flashing lights on. While the motorist was talking to the driver of this truck, a second truck approached. The driver of the second truck, Odell Patterson (defendant below), saw the two stopped vehicles and came to a stop on the highway, parallel to the first truck, to offer assistance. Although Patterson stopped only momentarily before proceeding on, the evidence shows that during this moment neither the brake lights nor the flashing signal lights of his truck were on. At this time a third truck approached, also proceeding north, which was being driven by Kenneth Lively (plaintiff below). Lively, who did not see the second truck until he was approximately 125 feet away, was unable to swerve into the lefthand lane because of a parallel passenger car, and this truck collided with the rear end of Patterson’s truck.
The driver of a fourth truck, which was also proceeding north, saw the accident and was able to pull completely off the road avoiding damage. There was a slight curve in the highway immediately preceding the scene of the accident.
The owner and driver of the third (colliding) truck filed suit for damages and personal injuries against the defendants. The jury in a special verdict found Patterson (and his employer) negligent and liable to the plaintiffs. It further found that the
The “range of vision” rule requires that every driver operate his vehicle at such a rate of speed as to be able to stop or control his car within his range of vision, whether it be by nighttime or daylight.
The “range of vision” rule has apparently been modified where a question of material fact exists as to whether or not the colliding driver was traveling at an excessive speed under the circumstances. Mr. Justice Thornal, in his concurring opinion in Townsend Sash Door & Lumber Company v. Silas,
This reasoning was later reaffirmed in the case of Lientz v. Holder,
We conclude that the issue of plaintiff’s contributory negligence was properly submitted to the jury and its determination will not be disturbed.
Affirmed.
. G. Ferlita & Sons, Inc. v. Beck, 143 Fla. 509, 197 So. 340 (1940).
. G. Ferlita & Sons, Inc. v. Beck, supra; Petroleum Carrier Corp. v. Robbins, 52 So.2d 666 (Fla. 1951) ; Central Truck Lines, Inc. v. Rogers, 140 So.2d 130 (Fla.App. 1st 1962).
. Townsend Sash Door & Lumber Comany v. Silas, 82 So.2d 158 (Fla. 1955).
. Lientz v. Holder, 95 So.2d 505 (Fla. 1957).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Odell William PATTERSON, and Murrow's Transfer, Inc. v. Kenneth Mack LIVELY, and J & M Transportation Co., Inc.
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published