CHAFFIN V. BRAME
64 S.E.2d 276 (1951)
NATURE OF THE CASE: This was a dispute over the contributory negligence of Chaffin (P)
and an appeal after a jury trial for damages.
FACTS: P was driving his car and Brame's (D) truck was parked upon the right side of the
highway without lights or warning signals. It blocked the entire right traffic lane, and
virtually blended with the darkness of the night. P was going 40 miles an hour, when a
passenger car driven by Garland, displaying glaring and undimmed headlights came in the
opposite direction. When P came within 200 feet of the Dodge truck, he was partially blinded
by the glaring and undimmed headlights. P substantially reduced the speed of his car, and
blinked his lights. Garland failed to dim his headlights. P could not see D's truck until
his car passed the headlights of the Garland automobile. It was only 30 feet away. The right
side of his car struck the rear of the truck and sustained damage. P's speed did not exceed
20 miles an hour at the instant of impact. D admitted shortly after the accident that his
negligence caused the collision. D admits his negligence but also pleads that P was guilty
of contributory negligence as a matter of law because he did not so control his car as to be
able to stop within the range of his lights. Prior case law stated that 'it is negligence as
a matter of law to drive an automobile along a public highway in the dark at such a speed
that it cannot be stopped within the distance that objects can be seen ahead of it.' P got
the verdict and D appealed.
ISSUE:
RULE OF LAW:
HOLDING AND DECISION:
LEGAL ANALYSIS:
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