Loftus v. Baltimore & O. R.
Loftus v. Baltimore & O. R.
Opinion of the Court
.Plaintiff brought this action to recover damages for injuries by him received when the automobile in which he was riding was struck by an engine used by defendant in pulling a train across the Euclid Street crossing in East Chicago, Indiana. Upon the trial, the jury’s verdict was for the plaintiff and the court entered judgment thereon. Defendant appealed and here argues the district court erred in refusing to grant its motion for a directed verdict.
Defendant’s motion for a directed verdict was predicated on two grounds: (a) absence of substantial evidence to establish defendant’s negligence; (b) the existence of evidence conclusively showing plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence.
It is unnecessary to set forth in detail the testimony upon which defendant relies as the basis for its contention. Counsel has argued most earnestly and persuasively that the evidence, viewed from any angle, failed to establish a jury question on either issue — negligence or contributory negligence.
We are much impressed by it. We-are not, however, the jury, and if the jury accepted the testimony most favorable to the plaintiff, as true, we can not say its verdict lacked evidentiary support so far as defendant’s negligence is concerned.
As to plaintiff’s contributory negligence, we would, in view of our holding in Moss v. Pennsylvania R. R. Co., 146 F.2d 673, accept defendant counsel’s argument but for one fact which distinguishes this case from the Moss case. The driver
We hesitate somewhat in accepting this as an excuse for plaintiff’s failure to observe what was observable — the on-coming eastbound train. Under all the circumstances, however, we can not say that the facts conclusively established the plaintiffs contributory negligence. The trial court thought it was a jury question and we are unwilling to say it erred. Myers v. Reading Co., 67 S.Ct. 1334.
The judgment is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- LOFTUS v. BALTIMORE & O. R. CO.
- Status
- Published