{ "id": 8628010, "name": "J. D. HICKS, Administrator of O. L. HICKS, v. J. D. LOVE and R. L. BRUTON v. J. D. LOVE", "name_abbreviation": "Hicks v. Love", "decision_date": "1931-12-09", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "773", "last_page": "778", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "201 N.C. 773" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "136 N. C., 115", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8658853 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/136/0115-01" ] }, { "cite": "126 N. C., 961", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8663268 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/126/0961-01" ] }, { "cite": "185 N. C., 161", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655689 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/185/0161-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 N. C., 154", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11276718 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/66/0154-01" ] }, { "cite": "191 N. C., 130", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627969 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/191/0130-01" ] }, { "cite": "139 N. C., 499", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652934 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/139/0499-01" ] }, { "cite": "82 N. C., 505", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "196 N. C., 824", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8630524, 8630543 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/196/0824-01", "/nc/196/0824-02" ] }, { "cite": "70 A. L. R., 532", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "540" } ], "opinion_index": 0 } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 720, "char_count": 16031, "ocr_confidence": 0.452, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.649624271242357e-07, "percentile": 0.8239312407789026 }, "sha256": "4d98827babd2c49547222fd2f1332723374c21b21096c4cb1ce9988f8402f48f", "simhash": "1:3e24324d14836531", "word_count": 2799 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:25:15.863450+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "J. D. HICKS, Administrator of O. L. HICKS, v. J. D. LOVE and R. L. BRUTON v. J. D. LOVE." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Adams, J.\nTbe record contains eigbty-two assignments of error, nineteen of wbicb relate to evidence tending to sbow tbe speed of tbe Dodge sedan immediately before tbe collision occurred. Subject to tbe defendant\u2019s exception several witnesses wbo saw tbe sedan and at tbe time were impressed by its speed were permitted to express tbeir estimate, some saying that in tbeir opinion it was running at tbe rate of fifty miles an bour and others at a rate not less than sixty.\nThese exceptions raise tbe question whether tbe court committed error by admitting tbe evidence without requiring preliminary testimony as to tbe observation of tbe witnesses, tbeir experience in driving automobiles, and tbe knowledge upon wbicb tbey based tbeir judgment. With respect to tbe first ground it may be said that all these witnesses rested tbeir opinion upon their personal observation of tbe sedan at tbe time spoken of; so tbe specific question is whether a nonexpert witness may testify as to tbe speed of an automobile without antecedent qualification of bis competency to express an opinion on this point.\nIt is a rule of evidence that where special experience is held to be necessary tbe possession of tbe required qualifications by a particular person offered as a witness must be expressly shown by the party offering him. Wigmore on Evidence, sec. 560. But Wigmore says, \u201cThere are a variety of rulings on miscellaneous topics, bolding that a lay witness suffices; tbe topics that seem to have called for frequent decision being those of tbe speed of a train or other vehicle and tbe existence of a state of intoxication.\u201d Sec. 571. In bis Commentaries on Evidence, sec. 1264, Jones cites a large number of cases in support of tbe rule wbicb be states as follows: \u201cA person of ordinary intelligence, having-opportunity for observation, is competent to testify as to tbe speed at wbicb an automobile was being operated at a given time. Tbe rate of speed of an automobile on a public highway is a matter of wbicb people generally have some knowledge. It is not a matter exclusively of expert knowledge or skill. As above stated, where tbe rate of speed of such a vehicle is material in an action, any person of ordinary ability and means of observation who may have observed the vehicle may give his estimate as to the rate of speed at which it was moving. The extent of his observation goes to the weight of his testimony.\u201d In the annotation appended to Lewis v. Miller, 70 A. L. R., 532, 540, where many cases are assembled, it is said: \u201cIt is a general rule, as to which there is little, if any, conflict, and reaching back to a time long before automobiles came into use, that any person of ordinary intelligence, who has had an opportunity for observation, is competent to testify as to the rate of speed of a moving object. This rule is held applicable to the speed of automobiles or motorcycles, any intelligent person who saw the machine at the time in question being held competent to testify as to its speed.\u201d\nWhen the opinion of a witness is based upon the ordinary observations of mankind in the everyday affairs of life, when no great amount of technical training is necessary, it is not always essential for the witness to state his previous experience. It is the better practice for him to do so, but the accuracy of his impressions and their evidential value are subject to the test of cross-examination and are matters for the jury.\nA divergent view is entertained by some of the courts, as shown by the cases cited in the appellant\u2019s brief; but this Court has adopted the rule heretofore stated. In Potter v. Dixie Transit Co., 196 N. C., 824, a nonexpert witness, who had not qualified himself by a statement of his previous observation -and experience, was permitted to testify after objection as to the speed of a bus traveling on the highway, and it was held that there was no error in the admission of the evidence. The exceptions referred to must therefore be overruled.\nIt is contended that the sedan was not identified by the witnesses \u2022 and that their testimony as to its speed should for this reason have been excluded. It is reasonably clear, however, that all these witnesses referred to the same car. The time it passed and its proximity to the touring car were relevant circumstances; and it was described as a blue Dodge sedan, \u201cfull of boys\u201d- \u2014 six at least, and driven by the defendant\u2019s son.\nThe appellant excepted to evidence offered by the plaintiff that the deceased provided for his family, that he had a comfortable home, a 200-acre farm, and a plenty for his family to eat and wear.\nIn determining the pecuniary advantage to be derived from the continuance of a human life it is competent for the jury in an action for wrongful death under O. S., 160, to consider evidence as to the age, habits, industry, skill, means, and business of the deceased. Burton v. R. R., 82 N. C., 505; Garter v. R. R., 139 N. C., 499; Carpenter v. Power Co., 191 N. C., 130.\nA part of this evidence has reference to the industry of the deceased and to the business in which he was engaged and is clearly within the scope of the cases just cited; and we see no convincing reason for holding that the result of his toil as manifested in providing for the support of his family should not be considered as evidence of his constant attention to business. Certainly the admission of the evidence is not adequate cause for a new trial. 17 C. J., 1356, sec. 244(3). We are referred by the appellant to Kesler v. Smith, 66 N. C., 154; but a careful perusal of the case will show that the evidence held to be incompetent was, in the first place, proof of the number in the family of the deceased at the time of his death, the proposed argument being that the number in the family ought to affect the damages; and, in the next place, proof that the deceased \u201cwas often engaged in fighting\u201d and \u201cwas often indicted,\u201d which was offered in answer to the plaintiff\u2019s evidence that the deceased \u201cfurnished supplies to his family and was seen carrying them provisions.\u201d The case therefore is not in conflict with the conclusion above stated.\nThe court admitted evidence as to the value of the Ford car immediately before and immediately after the collision. The appellant excepted because this question was not restricted to the reasonable market value of the car. This is the technical form of the question, but this Court has held that proof of value is competent. Newsom v. Cothrane, 185 N. C., 161. We find nothing to indicate that either of the witnesses who testified made his estimate on the basis of the value of the car to the owner individually, apart from its market value.\nException is taken to a part of his Honor\u2019s charge on the ground that it contains an expression equivalent in effect to an instruction that Lindsay Bruton gave the signal required by law when he turned his car in the direction of the cafe. We do not concur in the appellant\u2019s interpretation of the charge. After repeating a part of the testimony of the witness the judge proceeded: \u201cAnd he described and demonstrated to you how he held out his hand, that he stuck his hand out through a place in the curtain prepared for that purpose about four by six inches; that he stuck his hand through that to warn anybody approaching from the rear that wanted to pass; and that he held out his hand according to the rule established by law; that he stuck his hand out straight.\u201d This, we think, can reasonably be construed only as a statement of what the witness said and not as a suggestion of the court that the witness had complied with the law.\nTbe appellant excepted to the following paragraph in the charge: \"In giving credit to the witnesses, it is not by the volume of the testimony, the preponderance of the testimony, or by its greater weight, and not from the number of witnesses, but it is the estimation you put upon the testimony of the witnesses who have testified and what credence you will give to their testimony, in passing upon these matters.\u201d\nThe judge had repeatedly instructed the jury that the burden was upon the plaintiff in both cases to establish the defendant\u2019s negligence by the greater weight or preponderance of the evidence. It was stated so often and so plainly as to amount to emphasis; and in the paragraph excepted to it was not withdrawn or modified. The object was to distinguish between the number of witnesses or the volume of the testimony and the greater weight or preponderance of the proof. Considering the charge as a whole we do not think the jury could have been misled to the prejudice of the appellant.\nIn reference to the concurrent negligence of the drivers of the two cars, the only instruction requested by the appellant was this: \u201cIf the jury believe the evidence, or any part thereof, and find the facts in accordance therewith, they are instructed to answer the second issue \u2018Yes.\u2019 \u201d There was no error in refusing to give this prayer. According to the testimony of the plaintiff\u2019s witnesses there was no contributory negligence on the part of Hicks or Lindsay Bruton; but the appellant\u2019s evidence tended to establish negligence by each one of them. These respective views were presented to the jury and we find no error which warrants a new trial for failure of the court to deal more minutely with the question of contributory or concurrent negligence in the absence of a more specific request for instructions.\nIt is finally insisted that there is no evidence that justified the recovery of damages, and that the judge should have told the jury that the plaintiff could recover only a nominal amount. This position seems to be based on the theory that there is no direct evidence of the earning capacity of the deceased or of his net income. Direct evidence is not essential. More than nominal damages are recoverable for the negligent killing of an infant without direct evidence of the pecuniary damage other than sex, age, and health. Russell v. Steamboat Co., 126 N. C., 961; Davis v. R. R., 136 N. C., 115. In the present case the recovery cannot be restricted to nominal damages.\nVe have considered all the exceptions entered of record in behalf of the appellant and have discovered no reversible error.\nNo error.", "type": "majority", "author": "Adams, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Armstrong & Armstrong for appellant.", "R. T. Poole for appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "J. D. HICKS, Administrator of O. L. HICKS, v. J. D. LOVE and R. L. BRUTON v. J. D. LOVE.\n(Filed 9 December, 1931.)\n1. Evidence K a \u2014 'Witness may testify as to speed of automobile without first qualifying as an expert.\nA man of usual intelligence may testify without previous qualification as to the speed of an automobile moving upon the public highway from his own observation, when material to the inquiry, and while it is the better practice for the party offering him to show by examining him his_ qualifications, his testimony without such qualification will be given such weight and credibility as the jury considers it entitled to.\nS. Evidence D c \u2014 Witnesses sufficiently identified car as that of defendant to admit their testimony as to its speed.\nWhere, in an action to recover damages caused by a collision between two automobiles on a public highway, the plaintiff\u2019s witnesses testify to the speed at which the defendant\u2019s car was traveling immediately before the accident, an objection to their testimony on the ground that the defendant\u2019s car was not sufficiently identified by them will not be sustained when the testimony of all the witnesses sufficiently identifies the ear referred to as that of the defendant by descriptions of its make, color and number of occupants, etc., and the defendant\u2019s car was the only car under the circumstances that could have fitted the descriptions.\n3. Death. B b \u2014 Testimony that deceased provided fox* his family, had a comfoi\u2019table home, etc., held competent in action for wrongful death.\nIn an action for wrongful death the jury may consider evidence of the plaintiff\u2019s intestate\u2019s age, habits, industry skill, means and business, O. S., 160, and the admission of testimony in this case that the deceased had a 200-acre farm, a comfortable home, and a plenty for his family to eat and wear, was not error.\n4. Damages F c \u2014 Testimony in this case as to damage to property caused by defendant\u2019s negligence held competent.\nIn an action to recover damages to the plaintiff\u2019s ear resulting from a collision of two automobiles on the public highway, testimony of a properly qualified witness as to the value of the injured car before and after the accident is competent and the admission of the testimony will not be- held for error on the defendant\u2019s objection that the witness failed to specify that the values as given were the market value when it appears that such was intended and understood by the jury.\n5. Trial E lb \u2014 Held: trial court did not express opinion as to weight and credibility of the evidence.\nWhere the driver of an automobile attempts to turn out on the highway and the injury in suit was received by his car being struck by a car following, and the question as to whether the driver of the forward car gave the required signal with his hand is material to the controversy, an instruction to the jury giving the plaintiff\u2019s contention that he had made the proper signal, but fully and clearly stating the law applicable to the evidence in the case and the burden of proof, is not objectionable as an expression of opinion by the court as to the weight and credibility of the evidence, nor will a charge that the jury should determine the weight of the evidence from the estimate they placed upon the credibility of the witnesses and not the number of witnesses or the volume of their testimony be held for reversible error.\n6. Trial D b \u2014 A request for a directed verdict upon conflicting evidence is properly refused.\nIn an action to recover damages for a negligent injury, an instruction requested by defendant that upon the evidence, the plaintiff could not recover is properly refused when the plaintiff denies contributory negligence and was not guilty of it according to his testimony.\n7. Heath B b \u2014 Recovery was not limited to nominal damages under the evidence in this action for wrongful death.\nWhere damages are sought in an action for the negligent killing of the plaintiff\u2019s intestate and the liability of the defendant has been established by the answer of the jury upon the other issues, it is not necessary that the plaintiff introduce evidence of the earning capacity of the deceased in order to recover more than nominal damages, there being other evidence as to the financial worth and industry of the deceased.\nAppeal by defendant from Moore, J., at April Term, 1931, of MONTGOMERY.\nNo error.\nOn Sunday, 17 August, 1930, Lindsay Bruton, Oora -Campbell (since married to Lindsay Bruton), O. L. Hicks and Essie Hall were traveling-in a Ford touring car on Highway No. 80 in Stanly County, Bruton and Miss Campbell occupying the front seat and Hicks and Miss Hall the other. Hicks proposed that they stop at a cafe which was on the left side of the highway and get something to eat. Bruton turned the car to the left and it was struck by a Dodge sedan driven by Robert Love, a minor, with the consent of his father J. D. Love, the defendant. The two cars were going in the same direction, the Dodge following the Ford; they stopped 69 feet from the place of collision. Hicks suffered injuries which resulted in his death. The Ford was damaged. Suit was brought by the administrator of Hicks to recover damages for his death and by R. L. Bruton, tbe owner of tbe Ford car, for its impaired value. Each complaint sets out acts of negligence wbicb are supported by tbe plaintiffs\u2019 evidence. Tbe defendant introduced evidence in contradiction. By consent tbe two cases were tried together upon separate issues. In each case tbe jury answered tbe issues of negligence, contributory negligence and damages in favor of tbe plaintiff. Tbe contentions of tbe parties so far as tbey affect tbe controversy are stated in tbe opinion.\nArmstrong & Armstrong for appellant.\nR. T. Poole for appellees." }, "file_name": "0773-01", "first_page_order": 847, "last_page_order": 852 }