{ "id": 8622037, "name": "JEFFREY LeCROY, by and through his Next Friend, CHARLES R. LeCROY, JR., v. NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY", "name_abbreviation": "LeCroy v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance", "decision_date": "1959-10-14", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "19", "last_page": "24", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "251 N.C. 19" } ], "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": "184 So. 357", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "So.", "case_ids": [ 10042163 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/so/184/0357-01" ] }, { "cite": "147 S.E. 693", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "197 N.C. 72", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627133 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/197/0072-01" ] }, { "cite": "40 S.W. 2d 493", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 8729917 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mo-app/225/1129-01" ] }, { "cite": "152 S.E. 766", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "case_ids": [ 2015132 ], "year": 1930, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/sc/156/0117-01" ] }, { "cite": "109 So. 767", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "So.", "case_ids": [ 1264850 ], "year": 1930, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/la/161/0933-01" ] }, { "cite": "153 N.E. 557", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.", "year": 1926, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "138 Atl. 894", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.", "year": 1926, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "230 N.Y.S. 473", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.", "year": 1927, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "150 Atl. 732", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.", "year": 1928, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "31 S. W. 2d 418", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "151 Atl. 814", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.", "year": 1930, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "40 S.W. 2d 403", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "year": 1930, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "173 S.E. 855", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1931, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "79 S.W. 2d 555", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "year": 1934, "opinion_index": 0 } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 680, "char_count": 13277, "ocr_confidence": 0.481, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.761982612049288e-07, "percentile": 0.7101742225125867 }, "sha256": "8f12f0dc8598a40321afbb05da8c12a3f087e4a2b26a53a79a92e485d5a420dc", "simhash": "1:390d4102a0e5543f", "word_count": 2199 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:26:21.126874+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Higgins, J., not sitting." ], "parties": [ "JEFFREY LeCROY, by and through his Next Friend, CHARLES R. LeCROY, JR., v. NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Mooee, J.\nThere is a single question for decision on this appeal: Was the vehicle which struck and injured plaintiff an \u201cautomobile\u201d within the terms of the insurance policy sued on and the law applicable thereto?\nAppellant admits that the policy was issued and was in force at the time plaintiff was injured.\nThe pertinent provisions of the policy obligates defendant:\n\u201cPart III. ... To pay all reasonable expenses incurred within one year from date of accident for necessary medical, surgical, X-Ray and/ dental services, including prosthetic devices, and necessaiy ambulance, hospital, professional nursing ...:.. \u201cCoverage G: ... To and for the named insured and each relative who sustains bodily injury, . . . caused by accident, while occupying or through being struck by \u00a1an automobile. . . .\u201d\nAppellant concedes that plaintiff was injured by accident and that the items of medical expense sued for are the items mentioned in the policy. It is further agreed that plaintiff is a \u201crelative\u201d within the meaning of the above quoted policy provision. A \u201crelative\u201d is defined by the policy to be \u201ca relative of the named insured who is a resident of the same household.\u201d\nThe word \u201cautomobile\u201d is defined in PART II of the policy. PART III (in which the above quoted coverage appears) states that \u201cthe definitions under Part II apply to Part III. ...\u201d The definition is as follows:\n\u201c \u2018Automobile,\u2019 with respect to insurance under coverage F of this policy (this suit involves coverage G), means a land motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer, other than crawler or farm type tractors, farm implements and, if not subject to motor vehicle registration, any equipment which is designed for use principally off public roads.\u201d (Parentheses ours.)\nIn PART III under DEFINITIONS appears the following:\n\u201c \u2018An automobile\u2019 includes a trailer of any type.\u201d\nIn PART III under EXCLUSIONS the following appears:\n\u201cThis policy does not apply under Coverage G to bodily injury . . . through being struck by (i) a vehicle operated on rails or crawler-treads, or (ii) a farm type tractor or other equipment designed for use principally off public highways, while not upon public roads. . . .\u201d\nThe gist of appellant\u2019s contention in this case is set forth in the following quotation from its brief:\n\u201cIt is the defendant\u2019s position that a three wheeled motor scooter commonly known as a \u2018mailster\u2019 is not an \u25a0automobile within the meaning of part three of defendant\u2019s policy. A motor scooter is more similar to a motorcycle.\n\u201cThe insuring agreement between the plaintiff and the defendant uses the term AUTOMOBILE. This term is undefined under \u2022part three of the policy.\u201d\nPart three of the policy indicates unqualifiedly that the definitions under part two apply to part three. None of the definitions given in part two are repeated or redefined in part three. \u201cAutomobile\u201d is defined in extremely broad terms in part two-. Appellant undoubtedly suggests that this definition in part two has limited application only, to Coverage F, and that it is not intended to apply to Coverage G. If this be time, it is worthy of note that the very broad definition of \u201cautomobile,\u201d quoted above, is applied to \u201cComprehensive Family Liability \u2014 not Automobile,\u201d that is, to obligation of insurer to pay on behalf of insured liability for personal injury and property damage to third parties not caused by automobiles. Thus the comprehensiveness of liability under Coverage F is sharply reduced when \u201cautomobile\u201d as an exclusion becomes almost every type of \u201cland motor vehicle.\u201d If defendant\u2019s construction is followed, Coverages D and E under PART II (obligation of insurer to pay on behalf of insured liability for property damage and personal injury to third persons caused by insured\u2019s use of automobiles) leaves \u201cautomobile\u201d undefined. Appellant apparently contends that the term \u201cautomobile,\u201d where undefined, should be given a restricted meaning. If this is true, a large area of damage is left without coverage. In effect, appellant insists on a broad definition for its protection and a narrow definition for its liability.\nThe exclusion clause from Part III, quoted above, is worthy of note. It definitely and by express terms applies to Coverage G. It excludes bodily injury through being struck by a vehicle operated on rails or crawler-treads or a farm type tractor or other equipment designed for use principally off public highways, while not upon pub-lie roads. If it was the intent of the policy that the term \u201c'automobile\u201d should be considered in a restricted sense, why exclude the above mentioned machines which do not fall within the meaning of the term, but which may be classified as \u201cland motor vehicles\u201d? Is it the intent of the policy that farm tractors and similar vehicles be classified as automobiles while \u201cupon public roads\u201d? We do not decide these questions. Even so, the policy language is at \u25a0 best misleading and confusing. If the definitions of \u201cautomobile\u201d given \u2022 in several parts of the policy were applied in this ease, the \u201cmailster\u201d would fall squarely within the definition.\nAssuming, but not deciding, that the term \u201cautomobile\u201d is undefined in the policy as it relates to this action, we turn to a consideration of the problem on this basis.\nAppellant contends that the \u201cmailster\u201d should be classified as a motorcycle and that a motorcycle is not an \u201cautomobile.\u201d The weight of authority is that a motorcycle, either with or without a side car, is not included in either of the terms, \u201cautomobile,\u201d \u201cprivate motor driven automobile\u201d or \u201cmotor driven car,\u201d as used in insurance policies. McDonald v. Insurance Co., (Tenn. 1935), 79 S.W. 2d 555; Bullard v. Insurance Co., (Ga. 1934), 173 S.E. 855; Moore v. Insurance Co., (Tenn. 1931), 40 S.W. 2d 403; Deardorff v. Insurance Co. (Pa. 1930), 151 Atl. 814; Neighbors v. Insurance Co. (Ark. 1930), 31 S. W. 2d 418; Landwehr v. Insurance Co. (Md. 1930,) 150 Atl. 732; Colyer v. Insurance Co. (N.Y. 1928), 230 N.Y.S. 473; Perry v. Insurance Co. (N.J. 1927), 138 Atl. 894; Salo v Insurance Co. (Mass. 1926), 153 N.E. 557; Laporte v. Insurance Co. (La. 1926), 109 So. 767. But there are contrary holdings. Bolt v. Insurance Co. (S.C. 1930), 152 S.E. 766; Burrus v. Insurance Co. (Mo. 1930), 40 S.W. 2d 493.\nOur Court has followed the majority view. Anderson v. Insurance Co., 197 N.C. 72, 147 S.E. 693. In the Anderson case plaintiff was injured while riding on a motorcycle (without a side oar). The insurance policy covered injury by collision of or accident .to \u201ca motor driven car in which insured is riding or driving.\u201d In deciding that the motorcycle was not a \u201cmotor driven car,\u201d the Court emphasized the following points: (1) A car stands upright whether in operation or not; a motorcycle cannot keep its equilibrium when not in operation. (2) A car has a body in which passengers sit and which protects in some measure from the perils of the highway; a motorcycle has no body for protection of the rider. (3) A motorcycle has no front or rear protection in the form of bumpers or fenders. (4) A rider on a motorcycle is more exposed to danger and takes a greater risk of injury. (5) The policy uses the word \u201cin\u201d instead of \u201con\u201d in referring to the occupancy; a passenger, rides \u201c-on\u201d a motorcycle and not \u201cin\u201d it. The Court concludes that the use of the word \u201ccar\u201d instead of \u201cvehicle\u201d and the word \u201cin\u201d instead of \u201con\u201d indicates that the intention of the policy is to exclude motorcycles. The reason for exclusion, the Court suggests, was the greater risk involved in insuring against the perils inherent in the use of motorcycles.\nThe matters emphasized in the Anderson case are significantly favorable to the plaintiff here. The vehicle in the case at bar stands upright whether in operation or not; it has a body and fenders for the protection of passengers \u2014 the record is silent as to bumpers \u25a0 \u2014 , a rider is no more exposed in this motor scooter than in a car; an operator or passenger rides \u201cin,\u201d not \u201con,\u201d the motor scooter. In these respects and in practically every essential respect disclosed by. the record, the motor scooter, is a \u201cmotor driven car\u201d or \u201cautomobile,\u201d and not a motorcycle. In the Anderson case the injured party was a rider and in all the motorcycle cases herein cited the injured parties were riders..In the instant case the plaintiff was a by-stander. If the difference is significant, it seems to us that the advantage is with the plaintiff herein. From the facts in the record there is nothing to indicate that the motor scooter is more inherently dangerous, to riders or to third parties, than a more common type automobile. Indeed, the comparison is favorable to the scooter with its low powered engine. There is nothing in the nature and construction of this vehicle which will justify the conclusion that there was an intention that the policy exclude it from the term \u201cautomobile.\u201d The express terms of the policy justify no such inference.\nThe same conclusion was reached in Womack v. Insurance Co. (La. 1938), 184 So. 357. In that case the vehicle was known as a \u201ctraffic car.\u201d It had three wheels, a closed body with space therein for carrying goods, inclosed differential, dual chain drive, service and emergency brakes, a 74-cubic inch motor and a windshield. The driver occupied a saddle which he straddled and he steered the vehicle by means of handlebars. The vehicle was used in making deliveries of merchandise and had a load capacity of one thousand pounds. Insured was killed in a collision with another vehicle while operating the \u201ctraffic car.\u201d The policy insured against bodily injuries, or death resulting therefrom, by reason of \u201ccollision or any accident to . . . any motor driven truck inside of which the insured is riding or driving . . . provided this policy does not cover insured while riding in or on a motorcycle, or in or on any side car, trailer or other attachment to a motorcycle. . . .\u201d The Court held that insured, at the time of the accident, was riding in a \u201cmotor driven truck.\u201d\nThe definition of the term \u201cmotorcycle\u201d in G.S. 20-38(4) does not describe the \u201cmailster.\u201d Furthermore the purpose of the definition referred to is for regulation of license fees and has no application to the situation here presented. Fundamentally license fees of vehicles are based on weight.\nWe find no error in the ruling of the trial court in the instant case. The judgment below is\nAffirmed.\nHiggins, J., not sitting.", "type": "majority", "author": "Mooee, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Whitener & Mitchem for plaintiff, appellee.", "L. B. Hollowell and Hugh W. Johnston for defendant, appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "JEFFREY LeCROY, by and through his Next Friend, CHARLES R. LeCROY, JR., v. NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.\n(Filed 14 October, 1959.)\n1. Insurance \u00a7\u00a7 47, 54\u2014\nA tkree-wbeeled motor scooter known as a \u201cmailster\u201d is an automobile within the meaning- o\u00ed a policy insuring- insured and bis family against injuries resulting- from being struck by an automobile.\nHiggins, J., not sitting.\nAppeal by defendant from McLean, J., March, 1959 Term, of GASTON.\nThis is an action to recover \u201cExpenses for medical services\u201d under a policy of insurance.\nDefendant, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, is the insurer and Charles It. LeCroy, Jr. the insured in \u201cFamily Automobile and Comprehensive Liability Policy,\u201d No. 61-68-250, issued 8 October, 1957. Plaintiff, Jeffrey LeCroy, is the son of insured and on 21 October, 1957, was 15 months old and a resident of insured\u2019s household.\nOn 21 October, 1957, plaintiff, while playing in the yard of his home, was struck and seriously injured by a vehicle, known as a \u201cmailster.\u201d The vehicle was owned by the United States Post Office Department and was being operated by an employee of the Department.\nThe \u201cmailster\u201d is of the class of motor vehicles generally referred to as a \u201cmotor scooter.\u201d It has 3 wheels, 2 in the rear and 1 in front, with conventional tires, and is 5 feet long and a-bout 4% feet wide. It is enclosed with metal body without doors and has fenders, a luggage compartment, 1 seat with springs and back rest, and windshield 34 inches wide with electric wipers. The body -stands 12 inches above ground level and the front end has 4 inch -clearance. It has conventional lights, horn -and turn signals. The motor consists of an 8 horse power, 4 cycle, gasoline engine. It has a drive-shaft differential, axle and universal joint. The weight is 800 pounds and pay load capacity is 600 pounds. It has -a shift gear with 3 forward speeds and reverse \u25a0and is equipped with 3 wheel mechanical brakes, emergency hand brake, electric starter, foot accelerator, speedometer, shock absorbers and handlebars for steering. License plates cost $3.00, the same as for a motorcycle.\nBecause of the injuries to plaintiff expenses were incurred for surgery, hospitalization, X-rays, medical attention and nursing care in the amount of $721.75. Plaintiff, as third party beneficiary under the policy of insurance, filed claim with defendant for the expenses incurred. Defendant denied liability. Plaintiff instituted this action.\nThe case came on for trial and in apt time defendant moved for judgment of involuntary nonsuit. The motion was overruled and exception was duly noted. There was verdict for plaintiff.\nFrom judgment conformable to verdict defendant appealed and assigned, error.\nWhitener & Mitchem for plaintiff, appellee.\nL. B. Hollowell and Hugh W. Johnston for defendant, appellant." }, "file_name": "0019-01", "first_page_order": 63, "last_page_order": 68 }