Main Content

Torts

Daniels v. Evans

The decedent, who was 19 years of age, was killed when a motorcycle he was driving collided with the driver's automobile. At trial, as to the standard of care to be applied to the decedent's conduct, the trial court, over the driver's objection, instructed the jury that, because the decedent was under the age of 21 at the time of the accident, he was considered a minor and was not to be held to the same degree of care as an adult; instead, he was required to exercise the care of the average child of his age, experience, and stage of mental development. After the jury returned a verdict in favor of the administrator, the driver appealed.