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  "name": "LOIS WHITESIDE v. MELVIN McCARSON, Minor, and ROBERT JOHNSON, and M. M. REDDEN, JR., Guardian Ad Litem of MELVIN McCARSON",
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    "parties": [
      "LOIS WHITESIDE v. MELVIN McCARSON, Minor, and ROBERT JOHNSON, and M. M. REDDEN, JR., Guardian Ad Litem of MELVIN McCARSON."
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        "text": "Bobbitt, J.\nPlaintiff alleged that, on'.the occasion of said collision, McCarson was operating Johnson\u2019s 1953 Pontiac (1) with Johnson\u2019s consent, and (2) as Johnson\u2019s agent, servant and employee, for Johnson\u2019s use and benefit and within the scope of the agency.- Defendants filed separate answers. Johnson denied all of plaintiff\u2019s said allegations.\nPlaintiff offered evidence tending to show the collision was caused by the negligence of McCarson in the respects alleged and Johnson\u2019s admission that he was the owner of the 1953 Pontiac. To support the allegations referred to above, plaintiff relied solely on the provisions of G.S. 20-71.1.\nJohnson\u2019s motion for judgment of nonsuit having been overruled, evidence was first offered by defendant McCarson, to wit, his testimony. (We pass, without discussion, the portion of McCarson\u2019s testimony tending to show the collision was caused by the negligence of plaintiff.)\nMcCarson testified, without objection, that he. had borrowed the 1953 Pontiac for use on a date; that, upon arrival at the girl\u2019s home, he learned she was at the Edneyville School; that, when he entered the school driveway, the girl was in a car then leaving the school premises; that she asked him to meet her \u201cback in town\u201d; and that he was driving to Hendersonville for this purpose when the collision occurred.\nMcCarson testified further, on direct examination by his own counsel and on cross-examination by plaintiff\u2019s counsel, over objections by counsel for Johnson (Exceptions 10-35, inclusive), in substance, as follows: Minnie Huntsinger lived' with the Johnsons. She and Mrs. Johnson, sisters, were aunts of McCarson. McCarson frequently visited and often spent nights in the Johnson home. He and Johnson worked at the same place, to wit, Boyd Pontiac and Cadillac Company. Minnie Huntsinger had the 1953 Pontiac most of the time and kept the keys. McCarson bad no car. Often, upon his request, Minnie Huntsinger permitted McCarson to use the 1953 Pontiac. Johnson had seen McCarson drive the 1953 Pontiac on ten or more occasions. He had been present on occasions when Miss Hunt-singer gave McCarson permission to use it. He had made no objection to McCarson\u2019s use of the 1953 Pontiac. On December 18, 1958, Miss Huntsinger permitted McCarson to borrow and use the 1953 Pontiac in connection with his said date.\nThereafter, evidence was offered by defendant Johnson, to wit, his testimony, his wife\u2019s testimony and the testimony of Miss Hunt-singer. Their testimony, in substance, was as follows: Johnson\u2019s 1953 Pontiac was used principally by Miss Huntsinger in going to and from her place of work. Johnson seldom used the 1953 Pontiac. He owned and used another car. Johnson had knowledge that McCarson had previously used the 1953 Pontiac pursuant to permission granted by Miss Huntsinger. While he said nothing to McCarson concerning McCarson\u2019s further use of the 1953 Pontiac, some two or three weeks before the collision Johnson instructed Miss Huntsinger \u201cnot to let him have the car in the future.\u201d Johnson testified that he did not know McCarson was using the 1953 Pontiac on the night of the collision iand that he did not consent to McCarson\u2019s use thereof on this occasion. Miss Huntsinger testified that she permitted McCarson to use the 1953 Pontiac on the night of the collision in violation of Johnson\u2019s instruction that she should not do so.\nThus, the evidence of both defendants was that McCarson was. using the 1953 Pontiac on the night of the collision solely for his own- purposes and not on any business or mission for Johnson. The evidence of the two defendants, if not in direct conflict, was such as to permit diverse inferences and to support diverse findings of fact as to whether McCarson, on the night of the collision, was using the 1953 Pontiac with Johnson\u2019s permission, express or implied.\nDefendant Johnson excepted (1) to the failure of the court to submit an issue as to whether or not defendant McCarson was acting as agent, servant and employee of defendant Johnson, and (2) to the submission of the second issue.\nPlaintiff did not allege that Johnson was negligent in any respect apart from the alleged negligence of McCarson. Hence, an issue relating directly to the alleged agency rather than to the alleged negligence of Johnson would have more clearly presented to the jury the crux of the case in respect of Johnson\u2019s liability, if any, for McCarsom\u2019s negligence. However, no exact formula is prescribed for the settlement of issues. Pruett v. Pruett, 247 N.C. 13, 21, 100 S.E. 2d 296. \u201cIssues submitted are sufficient when they present to the jury proper inquiries as to all determinative facts in dispute, and afford the parties opportunity to introduce all pertinent evidence and to apply it fairly.\u201d Winborne, J. (now C. J.), in Cherry v. Andrews, 231 N.C. 261, 56 S.E. 2d 703; McGowan v. Beach, 242 N.C. 73, 86 S.E. 2d 763, and cases cited.\nThe submission of the second issue, in lieu of the. requested issue, would not, standing alone, constitute prejudicial error. The court\u2019s instructions on the second issue related solely to the liability, if any, of Johnson under the doctrine respondeat superior. In so doing, the court properly placed the burden of proof on this issue on plaintiff, explaining fully and accurately, but in general terms, the elements prerequisite to Johnson\u2019s liability under the doctrine respondeat superior; and thereupon the court instructed the jury, in general terms, as to the legal import of the provisions of G.S. 20-71.1.\nHaving instructed the jury that, by virtue of G.S. 20-71.1, Johnson\u2019s ownership of the 1953 P-ontiac constituted prima facie evidence, that is, evidence \u201cwhich would justify you but not compel you to find that McCarson was then and there acting as agent of Johnson within the scope of the agency,\u201d the court\u2019s final instruction on the second issue, to which defendant Johnson excepted, was as follows: \u201cThe burden remains at all times upon the plaintiff, but in this particular case the defendant Johnson has offered evidence and with all the evidence to be considered, the Court instructs you that on this second issue \u2014 \u2018Was the plaintiff Lois Whitesides injured and her property damaged by the negligence of the defendant Robert Johnson, as alleged in the Complaint?\u2019 \u2014 that if you find the facts to be as this evidence tends to show, it would be you-r duty to answer the second issue NO, that is, that Lois Whitesides was not injured and her property damaged by the negligence of the defendant Robert Johnson.\u201d Defendant Johnson also excepted to the court\u2019s failure to apply the law to the facts relating to the second issue.\nNo instruction was given to the effect that if McCarson was using Johnson\u2019s 1953 Pontiac for his own personal .purposes, to wit, on a date with his girl friend, with or without Johnson\u2019s consent, the jury should answer the second issue, \u201cNo.\u201d Time, Johnson did not request special instructions. The quoted instruction was the only instruction as to the circumstances under which the jury might answer the second issue, \u201cNo.\u201d\nAs indicated, the only significant conflict in the testimony related to whether or not McCarson was using the 1953 Pontiac with Johnson\u2019s permission, express or implied. We apprehend the quoted instruction, although not so intended, was calculated to cause the jury to answer the second issue, \u201cYes,\u201d if they resolved this conflict against Johnson. Whether McCarson was operating the 1953 Pontiac on the occasion of the collision as Johnson\u2019s agent, within the scope of the agency, was the determinative issue. It was the jury\u2019s duty to answer the second issue, \u201cNo,\u201d if they found the facts to be as Mc-Carson\u2019s testimony tended to show; for, in relation to the crucial question, the testimony of McCarson' and of Miss Huntsinger was explicit and in accord as to the. purpose for which McCarson had borrowed and was using the car. On this point, the testimony of Johnson is silent, his testimony being that he had no knowledge that Mc-Carson had the car.\nG.S. 20-71.1 did not change the elements prerequisite to liability under the doctrine respondeat superior. To establish liability under this doctrine, the injured plaintiff must allege and prove that the operator was the agent of the owner and that this relationship existed at the time 'and in respect of the very transaction out of which the injury arose. Jyachosky v. Wensil, 240 N.C. 217, 81 S.E. 2d 644. As to the necessity for such pleading: Hartley v. Smith, 239 N.C. 170, 79 S.E. 2d 767; Parker v. Underwood, 239 N.C. 308, 79 S.E. 2d 765; Osborne v. Gilreath, 241 N.C. 685, 86 S.E. 2d 462.\nG.S. 20-71.1 established a new rule of evidence. In passing from the rule stated in Carter v. Motor Lines, 227 N.C. 193, 41 S.E. 2d 586, to the rule prescribed by G.S. 20-71.1, the pendulum swung from one extreme to the other; for, under the statutory rule, proof of ownership alone suffices to take the case to the jury for its determination of the ultimate issue, that is, whether the operator was in fact the agent .of the owner and then and there acting within the scope of his agency. In addition to cases heretofore cited: Spencer v. Motor Co., 236 N.C. 239, 72 S.E. 2d 598; Travis v. Duckworth, 237 N.C. 471, 75 S.E. 2d 309; Hatcher v. Clayton, 242 N.C. 450, 88 S.E. 2d 104; Elliott v. Killian, 242 N.C. 471, 87 S.E. 2d 903; Davis v. Lawrence, 242 N.C. 496, 87 S.E. 2d 915; Caughron v. Walker, 243 N.C. 153, 90 S.E. 2d 305; Brothers v. Jernigan, 244 N.C. 441, 94 S.E. 2d 316; Kellogg v. Thomas, 244 N.C. 722, 94 S.E. 2d 903; Scott v. Lee, 245 N.C. 68, 95 S.E. 2d 89.\nOur courts are now confronted frequently with automobile cases, such as the present case, where the plaintiff, in order to establish liability of the defendant-owner under the doctrine respondeat superior, relies solely on G.S. 20-71.1. In such case, the ultimate issue is for jury determination notwithstanding the only positive evidence tends to show explicitly and clearly that the operator, whether driving with or without the owner\u2019s consent, was on a purely personal mission at the time of the collision. This question arises: In such case, is the defendant-owner, absent a special request therefor, entitled to an instruction, related directly to the evidence in the particular case, that it is the jury\u2019s duty to answer the agency- issue, \u201cNo,\u201d if they find the facts to -be as the evidence in behalf of the defendant-owner tends to show? We are of opinion, and so hold, that fairness to the defendant-owner requires that such explicit instruction be given.\nWhen, as here, there is no positive evidence that the operator, on the occasion of the collision, was the owner\u2019s agent, then and there acting within the scope of his agency, the evidence affords no basis for an instruction in plaintiff\u2019s favor related directly to the evidence in the particular case. As to plaintiff, an explanation of the rule of evidence prescribed by G.S. 20-71.1 must suffice. It is otherwise as to the defendant-owner. In the present case, the positive evidence being that McCarson had borrowed Johnson\u2019s car, with or without his consent, solely for use on a mission of his own, to wit, a date with his girl friend, Johnson, absent special request therefor, was entitled to an instruction that if the jury found these to be the facts it would be their duty to answer the second issue, \u201cNo.\u201d\nUnder G.S. 1-180, the trial judge is required to relate and apply the law to the variant factual situations having support in the evidence. Bank v. Phillips, 236 N.C. 470, 73 S.E. 2d 323, and cases cited; Harris v. Greyhound Corp., 243 N.C. 346, 351, 90 S.E. 2d 710; Glenn v. Raleigh, 246 N.C. 469, 478, 98 S.E. 2d 913; Brooks v. Honeycutt, 250 N.C. 179, 108 S.E. 2d 457; Godwin v. Hinnant, 250 N.C. 328, 108 S. E. 2d 658. He has . . the positive duty of instructing the jury as to the law upon all of the substantial features of the ease.\u201d Lewis v. Watson, 229 N.C. 20, 23, 47 S.E. 2d 484; Spencer v. Motor Co., supra; Glenn v. Raleigh, supra. Moreover, in the absence of request for special instructions, a failure to charge the law on the substantive features of the case arising on the evidence is prejudicial error. Howard v. Carman, 235 N.C. 289, 69 S.E. 2d 522; Barnes v. Caulbourne, 240 N.C. 721, 725, 83 S.E. 2d 898; McNeill v. McDougald, 242 N.C. 255, 87 S.E. 2d 502; Williamson v. Clay, 243 N.C. 337, 90 S.E. 2d 727.\nCandor compels the admission that these well settled rules have been applied with varying degrees of strictness, depending upon all the circumstances of the particular case. Yet, mindful of what Chief Justice Devin .aptly called \u201cthe vigor of the statute\u201d (Brothers v. Jernigan, supra), we think strict adherence to these rules must be required in cases where plaintiff relies \u25a0 on G.S. 20-71.1 as the sole support for his allegations of agency.\nIn Travis v. Duckworth, supra, a new trial was awarded for failure of the trial judge to give a requested peremptory instruction related to the evidence offered in behalf of the defendant-owner.\nIn Jyachosky v. Wensil, supra, and in Skinner v. Jernigan, ante 657, the trial judge gave peremptory instructions related directly to the evidence offered in behalf of the defendant-owner.\nIn Spencer v. Motor Co., supra, the plaintiff offered evidence tending to show that the automobile was registered in the name of the corporate defendant and relied on G.S. 20-71.1. In addition to its denial of agency, the corporate defendant denied it was the owner of the automobile when plaintiff was injured. In support of the latter-position, it offered documentary evidence tending to show that it had previously sold the automobile to the person who was operating it on the occasion of plaintiff\u2019s injury. One of the grounds on which a new trial was awarded (pp. 246-247) was the trial judge\u2019s failure, absent special request therefor, \u201cto declare and explain the law arising on the evidence, on the second issue, particularly as it concerns or is addressed to the defendant\u2019s documentary evidence, especially the invoice or conditional sales contract, . . .\u201d\nThe error for which a new trial is awarded relates solely to the second issue. Appellant\u2019s assignments of error relating to the first, third, fourth and fifth issues have been fully considered. Suffice to say, we find no error relating thereto sufficient to justify a new trial. Hence, these issues, as against defendant Johnson as well as against defendant McCarson, are determinative of the matters involved therein.\nAs pointed out by Walker, J., in Lumber Co. v. Branch, 158 N.C. 251, 73 S.E. 164, ordinarily this Court will grant a partial new trial \u201cwhen the error, or reason for the new trial, is confined to one issue, which is entirely separable from the others and it is perfectly clear that there is no danger of complication.\u201d Hinson v. Dawson, 241 N.C. 714, 86 S.E. 2d 585; Lieb v. Mayer, 244 N.C. 613, 94 S.E. 2d 658.\nWe are mindful that a somewhat different course was followed in Pinnix v. Griffin, 221 N.C. 348, 20 S.E. 2d 366. However, we see no greater reason for a retrial of the fourth and fifth issues, which relate to plaintiff\u2019s damages, than for a retrial of the first and third issues, which relate to the alleged neglig\u00e9nce of McCarson andi the alleged contributory negligence of plaintiff. As to all matters embraced by these issues, defendant Johnson has had a trial free from prejudicial error.\nThe result: As to defendant Johnson, the judgment and the jury\u2019s answer to the second issue are set aside and a partial new trial is ordered. Upon such new trial, the sole issue for determination will be whether McCarson, on the occasion of the collision, was the agent of Johnson and then and there acting within the scope of his agency. If the answer is, \u201cNo,\u201d plaintiff cannot recover from defendant Johnson; but if answered, \u201cYes,\u201d plaintiff will be entitled to judgment for the amount established as plaintiff\u2019s damages at the prior trial.\nPartial new trial.\nHiggiNS, J., not sitting.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Bobbitt, J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "M. F. Toms and A. J. Redden for plaintiff., appellee.",
      "Harkins, Van Winkle, Walton dt Buck and ,0. F. Starnes, Jr., for defendant Johnson, appellant. - . \u25a0 ."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "LOIS WHITESIDE v. MELVIN McCARSON, Minor, and ROBERT JOHNSON, and M. M. REDDEN, JR., Guardian Ad Litem of MELVIN McCARSON.\n(Filed 23 September, 1959.)\n1. Trial \u00a7 36\u2014\nThe form of the issues is within the discretion of the trial court and an exception to an issue submitted will not be sustained if the form of the issue is sufficient to present to the jury all determinative facts in dispute and afford the parties an opportunity to introduce all pertinent evidence and apply it fairly.\n2. Automobiles \u00a7 54h\u2014\nThe submission of the issue of respondeat superior in the form of whether plaintiff was injured by the negligence of the employer, rather than whether the employee was an agent of the employer and acting within the scope of his agency in operating the automobile, will not be held prejudicial when the court\u2019s instructions on the issue clearly and accurately present the liability of the employer under the doctrine of respondeat superior.\n3. Automobiles \u00a7 54g\u2014 Instruction on issue of respondeat superior under G.S. 20-71.1 held prejudicial.\nWhere plaintiff relies solely upon G.S. 20-71.1 on the issue of agency and defendants\u2019 evidence is to the effect, without contradictions or discrepancies, that the driver of the car at the time of the accident was on a purely personal mission of his own, but defendants\u2019 evidence is such as to permit diverse inferences as to whether the driver was using the ear with the owner\u2019s permission, express or implied, an instruction that if the jury believed all of the evidence to answer the issue in the negative, without further instructions that if the jury-found from all the evidence that the driver was on a purely personal mission of his own they should answer the issue in the negative, must be held prejudicial, since the jury might have found the affirmative upon the issue upon their resolution in favor of plaintiff of the conflict in the evidence as to whether the driver was. operating the car with -the express or implied permission of the owner.\n4. Automobiles \u00a7 54f\u2014\nG.S. 20-71.1 did hot\u2019 change the elements prerequisite to liability under the doctrine of respondent superior; and the injured party is still ;required to allege and prove that the operator of the car was the agent of the owner and that this .relationship existed- at the time and in respect of the very transaction -out of.which the injury arose, the effect of the statute-being merely\u2019to make proof of ownership of the vehicle alone sufficient to take the case'to the jury upon the issue, but not to compel an affirmative finding thereon.\n5. Automobile \u00a7 54h\u2014 Instruction on issue of respondeat superior under provisions of G.S. 20-71.1.\nWhere plaintiff relies solely on the provisions of G.-S. 20-71.1 on the issue of respondeat superior and introduces no evidence, but defendant introduces evidence tending to show that the driver was on a purely personal mission of his own at the .time of the accident,, there is no evidence upon which the court may instruct the jury in plaintiff\u2019s favor on the issue, and the court\u2019s explanation of -the rule of evidence prescribed by the statute is sufficient, but as to the defendant\u2019s evidence the court is required, even in the -absence of a request for special instructions, to give explicit instruction applying defendant\u2019s evidence to the issue and charging that if the jury should find the facts to be as defendant\u2019s evidence tends to show the issue should be answered in the negative. \u25a0 \u2022\n8. Trial \u00a7 31b\u2014\nThe trial judge is required to apply the law to every factual situation arising on the evidence as to all substantive features of the case, even in the absence of a request for special instructions. G.S. 1-180.\n7. Appeal and Error \u00a7 54\u2014\n. Where error in the trial relates to a single issue, which is entirely separable from the other issues, the -Supreme Court may order a partial new trial confined solely to that issue.\nHiggins, J., not sitting.\nAppeal by defendant Johnson from Patton, J., May-June Civil Term, 1959, of HENDERSON.\nCivil action growing out of an automobile collision that occurred December 18,1958, about 9:00 p.m. on U. S. Highway 64, near Edney-ville, Henderson County, when a 1953 Pontiac, owned by defendant Johnson, then operated by defendant McCarson, struck the right rear of a 1949 Chevrolet, owned .and then operated by plaintiff. Both ears, the Chevrolet in front, were traveling west, towards Hendersonville; and the collision occurred when plaintiff had slowed down and made a partial right turn from the highway into the driveway of her residence.\nThe pleadings raised, the court submitted and the jury answered five issues, viz.: \u2018T. Was the plaintiff Lois Whitesides injured and her property damaged by the negligence of the defendant Melvin Mc-Carson, as alleged in the Complaint? ANSWER: Yes. 2. Was the plaintiff Lois Whitesides injured and her property damaged by the negligence of the defendant .Robert Johnson, as alleged in the Complaint? ANSWER: Yes. 3. Did the plaintiff Lois Whitesides, .by her own negligence, contribute to her injury >and. damage, as alleged in the Answers? ANSWER: No. 4. What amount of damages, if any, is the plaintiff Lois Whitesides- entitled to recover for her. personal injuries? ANSWER: $9,580.00. 5. What amount, if anything, is the plaintiff Lois Whitesides entitled to recover on account of her property damage? ANSWER: $330,00.\u201d\nJudgment for. plaintiff, in accordance with the verdict, was. entered \u201cagainst the defendants, and each of them,\u201d from which defendant Johnson appealed. - . .\nM. F. Toms and A. J. Redden for plaintiff., appellee.\nHarkins, Van Winkle, Walton dt Buck and ,0. F. Starnes, Jr., for defendant Johnson, appellant. - . \u25a0 ."
  },
  "file_name": "0673-01",
  "first_page_order": 713,
  "last_page_order": 721
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