Mangum v. . Winstead

Civil action to recover damages for an alleged negligent injury to plaintiff and his Buick automobile, caused by a collision between said automobile, while being driven by plaintiff's son, and a Chevrolet sedan owned by the defendant, C. H. Winstead, and operated at the time by his son for family use.

The defendant set up a counterclaim and asked for damages sustained in the same collision by reason of the alleged negligence of the plaintiff.

Judgment of nonsuit was entered on the plaintiff's cause of action, and the jury returned the following verdict on the defendant's counterclaim:

"1. Was the defendant, C. H. Winstead damaged by the negligence of the plaintiff, as alleged in the answer? Answer: Yes

"2. Did the defendants contribute to their injury or damage, by their own, or either or their own, negligence, as alleged in the reply? Answer: No.

"3. What damage, if any, is the defendant, C. H. Winstead, entitled to recover of the plaintiff? Answer: $181.70."

The plaintiff appeals from the judgment of nonsuit entered on his cause of action and from the judgment rendered on the verdict. In the faces of the verdict, which is not challenged by the appeal, it would be singular if the plaintiff should also recover in the instant case. One who causes or contributes to an injury by his own negligence is not entitled to damages therefor. Neither plaintiff nor defendant is permitted to recover for injuries resulting from a collision when the negligence of each contributed thereto as a proximate cause. Construction Co. v. R. R.,184 N.C. 179, 113 S.E. 672. It follows therefore, that the judgment of nonsuit on plaintiff's cause of action, which seems correct upon the evidence, must, upon its own merits and for this additional reason, be sustained. In any view of the case, the plaintiff has failed to overcome the presumption against error. Jackson v.Bell. 201 N.C. 336, 159 S.E. 926; Bailey v. McKay, 198 N.C. 638,152 S.E. 893. To prevail on appeal, he who alleges error must successfully handle the laboring oar. Frazier v. R. R., ante, 11; Poindexter v. R. R.,201 N.C. 833, 159 S.E. 926.

Affirmed.