This is an appeal from judgments rendered in three personal injury actions whiсh were consolidated for trial in the court below. All three of the actions were based upon injuries sustained when an automobile in which plaintiffs were riding was in collision with an automobile of the defendants. Two trials were had in the court below. On the first of these, there was a verdiGt for the defendants, whiсh the trial judge set aside, in his discretion, as being contrary to the weight of the evidence. On the second trial verdicts were rendered for the plaintiffs; and from judgments thereon the defendants have appealed. The appeal presents only two questions for our consideration: (1) Whether, аt the first trial, there was error in setting aside the verdict for defendants and granting a new trial; and (2) whether, at the second trial, there was error in denying defendаnts’ motion for a directed verdict.
As to the first of these questions, the rule is well sеttled that the setting aside of a verdict and the granting of a new trial is a mattеr resting in the sound discretion of the trial judge, and that the exercise of such disсretion will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of a clear showing of abuse. Newcomb v. Wood,
The motion for directed verdict on the second trial was properly denied. Without reciting the evidence, it is sufficient to say that, when viewеd, as it must be, in the light most favorable to plaintiffs, it was sufficient to establish negligenсe on the part of defendants and that the injuries of plaintiffs resulted therefrom. The evidence as to the contributory negligence of plaintiffs wаs conflicting and clearly did not warrant direction of verdict on that ground. .
In the recent case of Garrison v. United States,
“Where there is substantial evidence in support of plaintiff’s case, the judge may not direct a verdict against him, even though he may not believe his evidence or may think that the weight of the evine6 is on the other side; fоr under the constitutional guaranty of tria by jury, it is or e juiy 0 weigi e evi dence and рass upon its credibility. He may however, set aside a verdict supportеd by substantial evidence where m his opinion it is contrary to .the clear weight of the evidence, or is based upon evidence which is false; for, even though the evidence be sufficient to preclude the direction of a verdict, it is still his duty to exercise his power over the proceedings bеfore him to prevent a miscarriage of justice. See Felton v. Spirо (C.C.A.6th)78 F. 576 . Verdict can be directed only' where there is no substantial evidence to support recovery by the party against whom it is directed or wherе the evidence is all against him or so overwhelmingly so as to leave nо room to doubt what the fact is. Gunning v. Cooley,281 U.S. 90 ,50 S.Ct. 231 ,74 L.Ed. 720 . Verdict may be set aside and new trial granted, when the verdict is contrary to the clear weight of the evidence, or whenever in the exercise of a sound discretion the trial judge thinks this action necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice.”
The judgments appealed from will be affirmed,
Affirmed,