Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

153 So. 2d 748

Fleming v. Smart

District Court of Appeal of Florida · decided 1963-05-28

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently April 1976

3 state decisions

Relies on 85 So. 2d 142 - Fishback v. Yale

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1963-05-28

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

PER CURIAM.

¶1The appellant, plaintiff below, appeals an adverse final summary judgment. The question involved here is whether or not the appellant was a guest passenger within the purview of § 320.59, Fla.Stat., F.S.A.

¶2The facts, which appear to be without •material conflict, are that the appellant and appellee were proceeding from a cafe, intending to ultimately attend a church sale. While en route, with the appellant driving the appellee’s car, they stopped to assist a ■motorist who had run out of gas. While attempting to refuel the disabled car, the appellant and appellee went to the rear of appellee’s automobile. However, the ap-pellee proceeded around to the driver’s side ■of his own automobile, entered, started it up, and, through some unexplained maneuver, caused it to back up, striking the appellant and breaking his legs.

¶3The Florida guest statute § 320.59, supra, provides:

“No person transported by the owner or operator of a motor vehicle as his guest or passenger, without payment for such transportation, shall have a cause of action * unless such accident shall have been caused by the gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct of the owner or operator of such motor vehicle [Emphasis supplied.]

¶4It is clear from the facts in this case that the appellant was a nonpaying guest and that the accident which resulted in his injuries occurred before the transportation was concluded. See Fishback v. Yale, Fla.1955, 85 So.2d 142. Consequently, since the appellant does not contend that the appellee was guilty of gross negligence, the summary judgment entered was proper.

¶5Accordingly, the judgment appealed is affirmed.

/153/so2d/748 · .json · Public domain