Opinion
October 27, 1937.
November 10, 1937.
Negligence — Automobiles — Evidence — Sudden departure from road.
1. Where an automobile, which is being driven on a dry road in daylight, or on a clear moonlight night, without congestion of traffic, suddenly swerves from the road and runs into a pole alongside the road, the occurrence is so unusual and out of the normal as to call for an explanation from the driver; and, in the absence of a satisfactory explanation, the jury may infer that the accident arose from a want of due care.
Appeals — Assignments of error — Refusal to enter compulsory nonsuit.
2. The refusal of a trial judge to enter a compulsory nonsuit is not assignable as error.
Appeals No. 199 and 200, Oct. T., 1937, from judgments of C.P. Northumberland Co., Sept. T., 1935, No. 72, in case of Anna Swalina, by her mother and next friend, Balbina Swalina, and Balbina Swalina, in her own right, v. Stanley Piesalski.
Before KELLER, P.J., CUNNINGHAM, BALDRIGE, STADTFELD, PARKER, JAMES and RHODES, JJ. Judgments affirmed.
Trespass for personal injuries. Before MORGANROTH, P.J.
The facts are stated in the opinion of the Superior Court.
Verdicts, for minor plaintiff in the sum of $1,200, and for parent plaintiff in the sum of $878, and judgments thereon. Defendant appealed.
Error assigned, among others, was refusal to enter judgment for defendant n.o.v.
John L. Pipa, Jr., for appellant.
Daniel W. Kearney, for appellees.
Argued October 27, 1937.
These appeals are governed in principle by the cases of Maltz v. Carter, 311 Pa. 550, 166 A. 852, and Knox v. Simmerman, 301 Pa. 1, 151 A. 678, which hold that where an automobile, which is being driven on a dry road in daylight, or on a clear moonlight night, without congestion of traffic, suddenly swerves from the road and runs into a pole alongside the road, the occurrence is so unusual and out of the normal as to call for an explanation from the driver; and in the absence of a satisfactory explanation the jury may infer that the accident arose from a want of due care.
The facts in the present case are more favorable to the plaintiffs than those cited, for here there was evidence that the driver, while the car was in motion, diverted his attention from the road and reached down to do something on the floor of the car, and while he was looking and reaching downwards the car swerved to the left and went across the road and ran into the pole injuring the minor plaintiff. This was sufficient to take the case to the jury.
The explanation given by the defendant on the trial was that a tire blew out causing the car to run into the pole; but this did not accord with his statements immediately following the occurrence and evidently was not believed by the jury. The case was clearly for the jury.
The refusal of the trial judge to enter a compulsory nonsuit is not assignable as error: Morgan v. Duquesne Boro., 29 Pa. Super. 100; McAmbley v. Martin, 100 Pa. Super. 593, 596; Carroll v. Hannan, 289 Pa. 65, 67, 137 A. 127. The first assignment of error is dismissed; the other assignments are overruled.
The judgments are affirmed.