Driver's duty; the measure of a motorist’s duty is such care as is, under the facts and circumstances of the particular case, commensurate with the dangers which are to be anticipated and the injuries which are likely to result from the use of the vehicle

LARRY V. CAMINOS, JR. vs. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, G.R. No. 147437, May 8, 2009

“x x x.

Finally, on the issue of damages, inasmuch as petitioner had not extended efforts to present countervailing evidence disproving the extent and cost of the damage sustained by Arnold’s car, the award assessed and ordered by the trial court must stand.

All told, it must be needlessly emphasized that the measure of a motorist’s duty is such care as is, under the facts and circumstances of the particular case, commensurate with the dangers which are to be anticipated and the injuries which are likely to result from the use of the vehicle, and in proportion to or commensurate with the peculiar risk attendant on the circumstances and conditions in the particular case,81 the driver being under the duty to know and to take into consideration those circumstances and factors affecting the safe operation of the vehicle which would be open to ordinary observation.82

X x x.”

Footnotes

1 Richards v. Begenstos, 21 N.W.2d 23; Hodges v. Smith, 298 S.W. 1023; Lawson v. Fordyce, 12 N.W.2d 301.

2 Magnolia Petroleum Co. v. Owen, 101 S.W.2d 354.

3 Atlantic Greyhound Corp. v. Lyon, 107 F.2d 157; Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. v. McKee, 121 F.2d 583.

4 Burdick v. Powell Bros. Truck Lines, 124 F.2d 694; Dixie Motor Coach Corp. v. Lane, 116 F.2d 264; Shipley v. Komer, 154 F.2d 861.

5 Magnolia Petroleum Co. v. Owen, 101 S.W.2d 354.

6 Under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court. Rollo, pp. 8-23.

39 The REvised Penal Code, Reyes, Luis B., 15th ed. (2001) p. 995.

40 The Revised Penal Code, Reyes, Luis B., 15th ed. (2001) pp. 994-995.

41 People v. Paarlberg, 612 N.E.2d 106 (1933); People v. Crawford, 467 N.W.2d 818 (1991); Wood v. City of Casper, 683 P.2d 1147 (1984); State v. Houser, 626 P.2d 256 (1981); State v. Boydston, 609 P.2d 224(1980); State v. Tamanaha, 377 P.2d 688 (1962).

42 Wofford v. State, 395 S.E.2d 630 (1990); Shorter v. State, 122 N.E.2d 847 (1954); White v. State, 647 S.W.2d 751 (1983).

43 7A Am. Jur. 2d, pp. 861-862.

44 The Revised Penal Code, Reyes, Luis B., 15th ed. (2001) p. 995.

45 White v. State, 647 S.W.2d 751 (1983).

46 People v. Ackroyd, 543 N.Y.S.2d 848 (1989).

47 52 A.L.R.2d 1343.

48 Knuth v. Murphy, 54 N.W.2d 771. This case held that evidence of the extent of personal injuries is competent to show the force of the impact as a basis for an inference of the rate of speed of the vehicle.

49 Sanford v. State, 16 So.2d 628; People v. Whitby, 44 N.Y.S.2d 76.

50 People v. Devoe, 159 N.E. 682; People v. Whitby, 44 N.Y.S.2d 76.

51 People v. Carrie, 204 N.Y.S. 759.

52 People v. Herman, 20 N.Y.S.2d 149.

53 See Woodson v. Germas, 104 S.E.2d 739.

54 Gabriel v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 128474, 6 October 2004, 440 SCRA 136, 148-149.

55 Foster v. ConAgra Poultry Co., 670 So.2d 471.

56 Nunn v. Financial Indem. Co., 694 So.2d 630. Duty of reasonable care includes duty to keep the vehicle under control and to maintain proper lookout for hazards.

57 Roberts v. Leahy, 214 P.2d 673.

58 Reppert v. White Star Lines, 106 A.L.R. 413; Riccio v. Ginsberg, 62 A.L.R. 967.

59 Stauffer v. School District of Tecumseh, 473 N.W.2d 392.

60 Kane v. Locke, 12 N.W.2d 495; Shelton v. Detamore, 93 S.E.2d 314.

61 Matthews v. Patton, 123 A.2d 667.

62 Henthorn v. M.G.C.Corp., 83 N.W.2d 759.

63 Reed v. Stroh, 128 P.2d 829; Butcher v. Thornhill, 58 P.2d 179.

64 Reed v. Stroh, 128 P.2d 829; Tucker v. Ragland-Potter Co., 148 S.W.2d 691.

65 Webb v. Smith, 10 S.E. 2d 503; Le Master v. Fort Worth Transit Co., 142 S.W.2d 908.

66 Figlar v. Gordon, 53 A.2d 645.

67 Burrows v. Jacobsen, 311 N.W.2d 880 (1981).

68 Betchkal v. Willis, 378 N.W.2d 684 (1985).

69 Creech v. Blackwell, 298 S.W.2d 394.

70 Entitled "An Act to Compile the Laws Relative to Land Transportation and Traffic Rules, To Create a Land Transportation Commission and for Other Purposes." The law was approved on 20 June 1964.

71 McCarthy v. Beckwith, 141 N.E. 126; Arvo v. Delta Hardware Co., 204 N.W. 134; Cohen v. Silverman, 190 N.W. 795; Webber v. Park Auto Transp. Co., 47 A.L.R. 590.

72 Wlodkowski v. Yerkaitis, 57 A.2d 792.

73 Reynolds v. Madison Bus Co., 26 N.W. 2d 653.

74 Wilmes v. Mihelich, 25 N.W.2d 833.

75 Moore v. Kujath, 29 N.W.2d 883.

76 Moore v. Kujath, 29 N.W.2d 883.

77 Metzger v. Cushman’s Sons, 152 N.E. 695.

78 G.R. No. 125134, 22 January 1999, 301 SCRA 657.

79 State v. Blake, 255 N.W. 108.

80 State v. Sullivan, 277 N.W. 230.

81 Reed v. Stroh, 128 P.2d 829.

82 Webb v. Smith, 10 S.E. 2d 503; Le Master v. Fort Worth Transit Co., 142 S.W.2d 908.