Baker v. Pusey
Baker v. Pusey
Opinion of the Court
The following opinion was filed February 5, 1929:
Appellant contends that the plaintiff, being the guest of defendant on this automobile trip, has not, upon the verdict of the jury and the testimony, established a sufficient showing of any violation of the duty the defendant, as host, owed to the plaintiff, as guest, under the recent holdings of this court in such cases as Cleary v. Eckart, 191 Wis. 114, 117, 210 N. W. 267, 51 A. L. R. 576, and Olson v. Hermansen, 196 Wis. 614, 220 N. W. 203. And further claims that in any event the damages are excessive.
Considerable force is given to defendant’s contention on the first point by the face of the answered verdict. The jury first found that plaintiff’s injury was the natural and probable result of defendant’s want of ordinary care in respect to the speed of his automobile. They then found that the plaintiff’s injury was not the result of any want of ordinary care by defendant with respect to his management and control of the automobile. They then found that the plaintiff’s injury was the natural and probable result of defendant’s negligence with respect to lookout. In each
But in view of the testimony before the jury, we think it is proper to assume that it was intended by the jury to determine that the defendant was maintaining an unwarranted rate of speed as he approached the north half of the intersecting streets which was the zone of danger of a collision with any automobile from the west having the right of way, and that he did not use the proper measure of care in looking seasonably to the west just before coming into such danger zone. The jury could well, with proper discrimination, then determine that after he had negligently entered such zone and was confronted with the danger of collision with the automobile from the west, that from such point on he' exercised ordinary care in the control and management of his automobile, namely, accelerating his speed and sharply turning to avoid the impending collision.
So construing the verdict, we think there was sufficient evidence to sustain a judgment declaring defendant’s liability.
We think, however, that appellant’s contention that the damages of $4,470 are excessive must be upheld.
Considering the entire situation and grappling as best we
By the Court. — Judgment reversed, with directions to permit the plaintiff, within thirty days after remittitur, to elect to take judgment for $2,500, otherwise defendant to have a new trial. Appellant to have costs here.
The following order was filed April 2, 1929:
The prior mandate is hereby amended to read as follows:
By the Court. — Judgment reversed, with directions to permit the defendant, within thirty days after remittitur, to elect to permit judgment against him for $2,500, otherwise to have a new trial. Appellant to have costs here. No costs, however, on this modification.
On April 30, 1929, a motion by plaintiff to change the amended mandate was denied, with $25 costs.
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