Nemzer v. Newkirk Avenue Automobile Co.

| N.Y. App. Term. | Jun 15, 1915

Guy, J.

Plaintiff was the owner of a motorcycle and loaned it to a friend, and while in the latter’s possession it was struck by an automobile driven by one Backus, who was alone in the car. The car had license plates thereon numbered E 3235. The collision occurred on the night of November 7, 1914. Defendant admits ownership of those license plates, but denies- liability upon the ground that at the time of the accident the automobile to which such number plates belonged was in defendant’s garage in such a dismantled condition, undergoing repairs, that it was impossible to be used.

It was shown that it had been in such condition from August 1,1914, to the middle of December, 1914. The undisputed testimony shows that the automobile to which those number plates belonged was a.Thomas car owned by the defendant, but, as before stated, laid up for repairs and not in a condition for use at the time of the accident, and also that the oar which struck plaintiff’s motorcycle did not correspond with the description of the Thomas car, but did correspond with the description of a Mitchell car owned by Backus. Backus was not produced by either party at the trial. It was shown that while at one time he was vice-president of the defendant he had been discharged in October, 1913, and had been in no way connected in an official capacity with the defendant for nearly two years.

The proof of the plaintiff tending to establish liability on the part of the defendant was that at the time of the collision the car had those number plates thereon belonging to defendant; that Backus who drove the car said he was the vice-president of the defendant, and that at times subsequent to his discharge by defendant he had been allowed access to defendant’s garage in order to do some repair work. It is quite evident, though not proven, that Backus took defendant’s license numbers, attached them to his own car and was driving his own car when the accident happened. When Backus and his car were found in the ditch a few rods from the place of the accident, he was apparently in an intoxicated condition and was evidently willing to make any statement to excuse himself.

Of course, it appearing that the defendant’s number plates were attached to the car causing the accident created a presumption of ownership in the defendant, but that presumption could he rebutted by proof as was done in this case.

We think the evidence is insufficient to hold the defendant liable, without 'considering the question as to whether or not the plaintiff was guilty of any negligence contributing to the accident.

Bijur and Page, JJ., concur.

Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide event.