Rose v. Alcott
Rose v. Alcott
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
The plaintiff, on the morning of February 14th, 1907, a little before seven o’clock, was walking southerly on Broadway, in Camden, on his way to work. The street was more or less obstructed by snow, and the plaintiff, with
The learned trial judge at the Camden Circuit granted a nonsuit in favor of the defendant the Public Service Corporation, and afterwards directed a verdict in favor of the defendant Alcott.
The only assignments of error argued are those challenging the propriety of the nonsuit as to one defendant and the direction of a verdict as to the other.
With respect to the Public Service Corporation the case discloses no negligence upon the part of its employes. If the company was liable at all, it must have been in respect to some negligence of the motorman. His duty was to run the car with such care and at such a rate of speed that persons on foot might use the street in safety, provided they exercised reasonable care for their own protection. The evidence fails to show any want of care upon the part of the motorman, either in the management or speed of the car. The nonsuit in favor of the defendant the Public Service Corporation, was manifestly right.
With respect to the defendant Alcott, the case likewise discloses no negligence.
The relative rights of the stage and a foot passenger, such as were under consideration in Buttelli v. Electric Railway Co.,
Nor are we called upon to consider the case of a pedestrian imperiled by reckless or furious driving. The evidence shows that Alcott was driving slowly and carefully, and that the plaintiff’s excitement or confusion of mind was not attributable to any improper conduct on his part. The direction,of a verdict in favor of the defendant Alcott was therefore proper.
The result is that the judgment below should be affirmed.
For reversal—None.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.