82 So. 2d 454 | Miss. | 1955
Appellant’s main line track in the City of Laurel runs in a northerly and southerly direction. Just ea¡st of the point where Central Avenue crosses the main line there are seven yard tracks, numbered from 1 to 7 inclusive, all of which -are parallel with the main line. In the early morning of 'September 17, 1953, a local freight train came into Laurel upon the main line and stopped and separated the cars so as to open Central Avenue to traffic. At about 4:15 a.m., appellee approached this crossing while driving a school bus partially loaded with hands which he was about to transport to his farm to pick'cotton for the day. While crossing yard track No. 4 his truck was struck by a switch engine traveling north and was pushed a distance of about twenty feet before the switch engine came to a complete stop. He brought this suit for damages to his truck and for damages for his personal injuries and for punitive damages and obtained a verdict for $12,000.00 from which this appeal is prosecuted.
It is contended that appellant was entitled to a directed verdict and that the verdict is against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. The plaintiff and six other witnesses testified that neither the whistle nor the bell on' the switch engine was sounded as the engine approached the crossing. Five members of the engine crew testified that the bell was ringing continuously and that the whistle was sounded four blasts. They were corroborated by a disinterested witness. The plaintiff and his six witnesses testified also that the flagman, who was standing on the main line, but not in a position to see
It is next contended that the trial court erred in allowing the question of punitive damages to be considered by the jury. If no negligence had been shown except the failure to give the statutory crossing signal by whistle or bell, this point would be well taken, but we have the additional evidence that the flagman at the crossing signalled the plaintiff to proceed at a time when he was at a place where he could not see the position of the switch engine and yet knowing that it was due to return from the south end of the yard. We think it was for the jury to say whether the flagman’s alleged act was so wanton and gross and in such reckless disregard of the safety of others as to be tantamount to wilfulness.
It is filially contended that the verdict in this case is so large as to evince passion and prejudice on the part of the jury. The damages to the truck were established by the proof to be $900.00. This leaves $11,100.00 for personal injuries and punitive damages. Verdicts for personal injuries must be supported by some substantial and satisfactory proof. Plaintiff received a little cut on his finger which was closed by an employee of the railroad with a band-aid. He was not thrown from the truck and was able to back it up and get it off the tracks and out of the street. He got his brother-in-law to carry him home where he got his automobile and rounded up the school children on his route so as to get them to school on time. Then he got an automobile mechanic to go with him a distance of several miles back to the scene of the wreck and bring in and appraise the damage to the truck. He then went home and saw after getting the school children back to their homes. The
Affirmed with remittitur.