{ "id": 8628569, "name": "WARREN GUY TYSON, JR., v.C. J. FORD, et al.; and CARRIE T. TYSON v. C. J. FORD, et al.", "name_abbreviation": "Tyson v. Ford", "decision_date": "1948-04-14", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "778", "last_page": "782", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "228 N.C. 778" } ], "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": "187 S. E., 564", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "210 N. C., 462", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627036 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/210/0462-01" ] }, { "cite": "220 N. C., 281", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11301802 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/220/0281-01" ] }, { "cite": "221 N. C., 390", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627933 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/221/0390-01" ] }, { "cite": "190 S. E., 897", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "211 N. C., 567", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628124 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/211/0567-01" ] }, { "cite": "151 S. E., 197", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "198 N. C., 193", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8602347 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/198/0193-01" ] }, { "cite": "175 S. E., 303", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "206 N. C., 616", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8632053 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/206/0616-01" ] }, { "cite": "173 S. E., 336", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "206 N. C., 266", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8629773 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/206/0266-01" ] }, { "cite": "188 S. E., 200", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "210 N. C., 650", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628196 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/210/0650-01" ] }, { "cite": "215 N. C., 405", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8629944 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/215/0405-01" ] }, { "cite": "215 N. C., 789", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8632187 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/215/0789-01" ] }, { "cite": "225 N. C., 625", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8615334 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/225/0625-01" ] }, { "cite": "226 N. C., 146", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8614414 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/226/0146-01" ] }, { "cite": "192 S. E., 108", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "211 N. C., 725", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8629004 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/211/0725-01" ] }, { "cite": "193 S. E., 395", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "212 N. C., 340", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8609187 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/212/0340-01" ] }, { "cite": "195 S. E., 88", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "213 N. C., 41", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626372 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/213/0041-01" ] }, { "cite": "218 N. C., 105", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8614126 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/218/0105-01" ] }, { "cite": "220 N. C., 635", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11307378 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/220/0635-01" ] }, { "cite": "221 N. C., 512", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628416 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/221/0512-01" ] }, { "cite": "222 N. C., 42", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628402 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/222/0042-01" ] }, { "cite": "222 N. C., 89", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628714 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/222/0089-01" ] }, { "cite": "224 N. C., 688", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8612616 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/224/0688-01" ] }, { "cite": "150 S. E., 184", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "197 N. C., 628", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8630784 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/197/0628-01" ] }, { "cite": "220 N. C., 702", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11308506 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/220/0702-01" ] }, { "cite": "189 S. E., 499", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "211 N. C., 192", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625499 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/211/0192-01" ] }, { "cite": "62 A. L. R., 970", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "87 A. L. R., 900", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "58 A. L. R., 1493", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "44 A. L. R., 1403", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "198 S. E., 637", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "214 N. C., 188", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8629367 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/214/0188-01" ] }, { "cite": "191 S. E., 355", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "211 N. C., 632", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628393 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/211/0632-01" ] }, { "cite": "158 Atl., 666", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "104 Vt., 303", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Vt.", "case_ids": [ 4570959 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/vt/104/0303-01" ] }, { "cite": "224 N. C., 402", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8603409 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/224/0402-01" ] }, { "cite": "223 N. C., 118", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8600359 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/223/0118-01" ] }, { "cite": "139 S. E., 237", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "194 N. C., 210", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8601336 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/194/0210-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 808, "char_count": 13532, "ocr_confidence": 0.486, "pagerank": { "raw": 6.92836248482494e-07, "percentile": 0.9650693920765264 }, "sha256": "8a226762a8f0e7d4122eb51e320e9067bd74a9488356338b78f43a0bfa3b415e", "simhash": "1:9607707e6965e05f", "word_count": 2477 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:52:37.324265+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "WARREN GUY TYSON, JR., v.C. J. FORD, et al., and CARRIE T. TYSON v. C. J. FORD, et al." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Stacy, C. J.\nThe question for decision is whether the evidence suffices to carry the cases to the jury in the face of the demurrers. The trial court answered in the negative, and we approve.\nConceding the negligence of the defendants, which is denied in the answer but made manifest on the record, the cases were made to turn in the court below on the contributory negligence of the driver of the Tyson car. Prom his own testimony, it would seem that he was clearly and unmistakably \u201cout-running his headlights\u201d at the time of the collision. Weston v. R. R., 194 N. C., 210, 139 S. E., 237; Allen v. Bottling Co., 223 N. C., 118, 25 S. E. (2d), 388; Caulder v. Gresham, 224 N. C., 402, 30 S. E. (2d), 312. The tragic fact is, that when young Tyson first saw the truck he was too near it, at the speed he was going, to stop or to turn to the left before striking it. He so testifies. This certainly contributed to his misfortune, and was such conduct on his part as bars recovery to him and to his mother, the owner of the car. Penland v. Southern Ry. Co., ante, 528, 46 S. E. (2d), 303; McKinnon v. Motor Lines, ante, 132, 44 S. E. (2d), 735; Riggs v. Gulf Oil Corp., ante, 774.\nIt is true that the driver of the Tyson car was not bound to foresee or to anticipate that an unlighted truck would be left standing on the traveled portion of the highway ahead of him without flares or other signs of danger, but this did not relieve him of the necessity of keeping a proper lookout and proceeding as a reasonably prudent person under the circumstances. \u201cWhile the plaintiff had the right to assume that other motorists would not obstruct the highway unlawfully, and would show the statutory lights if they stopped, he could not for that reason omit any.of the care that the law demanded of him.\u201d Steele v. Fuller, 104 Vt., 303, 158 Atl., 666.\nThe test of liability for negligence, primary or contributory, is the departure from the normal conduct of the reasonably prudent man, or the care and prevision which a reasonably prudent person would employ in the circumstances. The rule is constant, while the degree of care' which a reasonably prudent person is required to exercise varies with the exigencies of the occasion. Diamond v. Service Stores, 211 N. C., 632, 191 S. E., 355. For this reason, no factual formula can be laid down, which will determine in every instance the person legally responsible for a rear-end collision on a highway at night between a standing vehicle- and one that is moving. \u201cPractically every case must 'stand on its own bottom.\u2019 \u201d Cole v. Koonce, 214 N. C., 188, 198 S. E., 637.\nCurves and hills in the road are conditions a motorist is required to-take into consideration in regulating his speed \u201cas may be necessary to-avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, or other conveyance.\u201d G. S.,. 20-141, Subsec. 5 (c). \u201cHe must operate his automobile at night in such; manner and at such speed as will enable him to stop within the radius-of his lights,\u201d if occasion should so require. Allen v. Bottling Co., supra.. The present ease, however, is not predicated on this circumstance alone:. Annotations: 44 A. L. R., 1403; 58 A. L. R., 1493; 87 A. L. R., 900. It is obvious that the driver of plaintiff\u2019s car was inattentive to the duty required of him for his own safety and that of his companions when he rounded the curve and topped the hill at a high-rate of speed; and, \u201cTo tell the truth,\u201d he says, \u201cthe first thing I knew was when I saw that truck up in front of me.\u201d It is generally held for law that \u201ca motorist who fails to exercise a degree of care commensurate with the surrounding hazards, and collides with an automobile standing without lights, will be precluded from recovery.\u201d 5 Am. Jur., 748; Anno. 62 A. L. R., 970.\nThere are two lines of decisions in our Reports involving highway accidents which turn on the question of contributory negligence. Hayes v. Telegraph Co., 211 N. C., 192, 189 S. E., 499. In this, as in other matters where a line must be drawn, there will be cases very near each other on opposite sides. Indeed, the line of demarcation may be difficult to plot in some instances. While simple enough in statement, its application is the place of the rub. Sibbitt v. Transit Co., 220 N. C., 702, 18 S. E. (2d), 203. \u201cA serious and troublesome question is continually arising as to how far a court will declare certain conduct of a defendant negligence, and certain conduct of a plaintiff contributory negligence, and take away the question of negligence and contributory negligence from the jury.\u201d Moseley v. R. R., 197 N. C., 628, 150 S. E., 184.\nTbe first line, in which contributory negligence has been held as a matter of law to bar recovery, is represented, among others, by the following decisions: Weston v. R. R., supra; McKinnon v. Motor Lines, supra; Riggs v. Gulf Oil Corp., supra; Atkins v. Transportation Co., 224 N. C., 688, 32 S. E. (2d), 209; Austin v. Overton, 222 N. C., 89, 21 S. E. (2d), 887; Pike v. Seymour, 222 N. C., 42, 21 S. E. (2d), 884; Dillon v. Winston-Salem, 221 N. C., 512, 20 S. E. (2d), 845; Sibbitt v. Transit Co., supra; Peoples v. Fulk, 220 N. C., 635, 18 S. E. (2d), 147; Beck v. Hooks, 218 N. C., 105, 10 S. E. (2d), 608; Powers v. Sternberg, 213 N. C., 41, 195 S. E., 88; Lee v. R. R., 212 N. C., 340, 193 S. E., 395; Smith v. Sink, 211 N. C., 725, 192 S. E., 108.\nThe second line, in which contributory negligence has been held to be an issue of fact for the jury, is represented, among others, by the following decisions: Hobbs v. Drewer, 226 N. C., 146, 37 S. E. (2d), 121; Cummins v. Fruit Co., 225 N. C., 625, 36 S. E. (2d), 11; Page v. McLamb, 215 N. C., 789, 3 S. E. (2d), 275; Clarke v. Martin, 215 N. C., 405, 2 S. E. (2d), 10; Cole v. Koonce, supra; Exum v. Baumrind, 210 N. C., 650, 188 S. E., 200; Pender v. Trucking Co., 206 N. C., 266, 173 S. E., 336; Lambert v. Caronna, 206 N. C., 616, 175 S. E., 303; Williams v. Express Lines, 198 N. C., 193, 151 S. E., 197.\nWe think the facts of the instant case bring it within the first line of decisions as above designated. It is conceded, however, that very near it on the other'side of the fence is the last-cited case of Williams v. Express Lines.\nYoung Tyson\u2019s negligence need not have been the sole proximate cause of the injury to bar recovery, for \u201ccontributory negligence\u201d ex vi termini signifies contribution rather than independent or sole cause. Absher v. Raleigh, 211 N. C., 567, 190 S. E., 897. It is enough if it contribute to the injury as a proximate cause, or one of them. Tarrant v. Bottling Co., 221 N. C., 390, 20 S. E. (2d), 565; Godwin v. R. R., 220 N. C., 281, 17 S. E. (2d), 137. The plaintiff may not recover in an action like the present, when his negligence concurs with the negligence of the defendant in proximately producing the result. Wright v. Grocery Co., 210 N. C., 462, 187 S. E., 564.\nA careful perusal of the record leaves us with the impression that the judgment of nonsuit should be sustained.\nAffirmed.", "type": "majority", "author": "Stacy, C. J." } ], "attorneys": [ "J. B. Bilisoly, K. R. Sykes, Jr., and Murray Allen for plaintiffs, appellants.", "J. M. Broughton and 0. Woodrow Teague for defendants, appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "WARREN GUY TYSON, JR., v.C. J. FORD, et al., and CARRIE T. TYSON v. C. J. FORD, et al.\n(Filed 14 April, 948.)\n1. Automobiles \u00a7 18b. (3) \u2014 Plaintiff\u2019s evidnce disclosing failure of proper lookout and inability to stop within wage of lights held to warrant nonsuit for contributory negligence.\nPlaintiff\u2019s evidence tended to show the he was traveling 40 to 45 miles per hour on a highway on a clear night and collided with the rear of a truck parked on the right side of the lihway without lights,'.that plaintiff was traveling over the crest of a hil'and did not see the truck at the speed he was traveling in time to stop c turn to the left before striking it. There was no traffic approaching fcm the opposite direction. Seld: Nonsuit on the ground of contributory rigligence was proper, since plaintiff\u2019s evidence discloses that he \u201coutia his headlights\u201d and failed to exercise proper care for the safety of hirself and the occupants of his car.\n3.Automobiles \u00a7\u00a7 8a, 13a\u2014\nWhile a motorist is not under duty.o anticipate that an unlighted vehicle will be left standing on the traved portion of the highway ahead of him, without flares or other signs of anger, this does not relieve him of the duty of keeping a proper lookoutmd proceeding as a reasonably prudent person would under the eircumstices.\n3. Negligence \u00a7\u00a7 1, 11\u2014\nNegligence, primary or contributory, i\u00e9he failure to use the care and prevision which a reasonably prudent perm would employ in the circumstances, the rule being consistent, while he degree of care varies with the exigencies of the occasion.\n4. Automobiles \u00a7 13a\u2014\nA motorist must take into consideration jrves and hills in determining \u25a0 what speed is reasonable and prudent, t S., 20-141 (5) (c), and in observing the rule that he must not exceeta speed at which he can stop within the radius of his lights.\n5. Automobiles \u00a7 18h (3) \u2014\nWhether a motorist colliding with a vehle standing on the traveled portion of a highway will be held guilty oiontributory negligence as a matter of law presents a difficult question wfch must be determined upon the facts and circumstances of each particub case, since, while in every instance he is required to exercise the care id prevision of a reasonably prudent person in like circumstances, the dcree of care varies with the exigencies of the occasion.\n6. Negligence \u00a7 11\u2014\nContributory negligence ea> vi termini signes contribution rather than independent or sole cause, and bars recovery :it contributes to the injury as a proximate cause or one of them.\nAppeal by plaintiffs from Grady, Emergency Judge, at January Term, 1948, of Wake.\nCivil actions by Carrie T. Tyson and Warren Guy Tyson, Jr., mother and son, for damages to the mother's automobile and for personal injuries to the son when the mother\u2019s car, driven at the time by the son on Highway No. 64 in Wake County, ran into the rear of a truck owned by the defendants and operated at the time by an employee, Shirley Poole, it being alleged that the damages in both instances were caused by the negligence or default of the defendants. As both actions arose out of the same circumstances and rest upon the same evidence, by consent, they were consolidated and tried as one case.\nAround midnight of 14 December, 1946, Warren Guy Tyson, Jr., was driving his mother\u2019s automobile from Wendell to Ealeigh on Highway No. 64, in company with two companions, Dorothy Kiely and Percy Stott, when the collision here under investigation occurred.\nYoung Tyson says he and his friends had been to Wendell to attend a wedding rehearsal. \u201cWhen we left there, Percy Stott, Miss Kiely and I were together in the Mercury car which I was driving. Miss Kiely was between me and Percy on the front seat. ... I had traveled this road many, many times, and was thoroughly familiar with it. . . . M^ mother\u2019s car, which I was driving with her knowledge and permission, was in good condition. . . . The lights were in good shape. . . . After we passed Hodge\u2019s Service Station, there is a long curve . . . and as we rounded one curve and hit a small hill, then went over the hill, I suddenly saw a truck in the road ahead of me. Miss Kiely hollered \u2018look out Guy there is a truck,\u2019 and I threw on the brakes at once. ... We were too close when I saw it to put on my brakes and keep from hitting it, so I ran into it. . . . The truck was standing dead still in the road on the right-hand side as if it were going towards Ealeigh, but it was not moving at all. Absolutely no sign of a light on it. . . . After I saw the truck, I did everything that I could to stop the car. In spite of my putting on brakes, I ran into the back end of the truck. ... It was a cold, clear night. . . . The truck was on the other side of the knoll or little rise. ... I was driving between 40 and 45 miles an hour when I hit the truck. ... If I had seen it in time, I could have turned to the left and avoided striking it. . . . The truck was on its right-hand side of the road. . . . No car coming from the opposite direction. . . . Q. The thing that kept you from either stopping or turning to the left was the speed you were driving when you saw him and there wasn\u2019t distance enough for you to stop or turn to the left, is that right? A. That is correct. . . . Q. Whatever the distance was at the time you did see it and at the speed you were going, you just couldn\u2019t stop before you hit it? A. That is right. ... To tell the truth, the first thing I knew was when I saw that truck up in front of me.\u201d\nMiss Dorothy Kiely testified that when she saw the truck she called to Guy, \u201cThere is a truck\u201d; that he immediately slammed on the brakes, and the car struck the rear of the truck. \u201cI don\u2019t know how close we were to the truck at the time I saw the truck and Mr. Tyson put on his brakes. It seemed to me it loomed right up in front of us.\u201d\nPercy Stott testified that he was fagged out, and asleep at the time of the accident.\nFred Taylor arrived at the scene of the accident soon after it happened, and stopped to render assistance. The truck was loaded with cabbage. No lights were on the truck at that time. \u201cCabbages had been piled all up on the hood, . . . one bag almost in the windshield laying up in a pile.\u201d\nAt the close of plaintiffs\u2019 evidence, nonsuits were predicated on the contributory negligence of the driver of the Tyson car. From these rulings, the plaintiffs appeal, assigning errors.\nJ. B. Bilisoly, K. R. Sykes, Jr., and Murray Allen for plaintiffs, appellants.\nJ. M. Broughton and 0. Woodrow Teague for defendants, appellees." }, "file_name": "0778-01", "first_page_order": 824, "last_page_order": 828 }