Case Digest (G.R. No. 34840) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
On February 2, 1930, a collision occurred on Talon Bridge on the Manila South Road in Las Piñas, Rizal, between a passenger truck and a privately owned automobile. The truck was driven by Abelardo Velasco and owned by Saturnino Cortez, while the automobile was operated by 18-year-old Bonifacio Gutierrez and owned by his parents, Manuel and Maria V. de Gutierrez. At the time of the accident, Mrs. Gutierrez and seven other family members were riding in the automobile; Mr. Gutierrez was not present. A passenger in the truck, Narciso Gutierrez, suffered a fractured right leg requiring prolonged medical attention and risked permanent lameness. He sued in the Court of First Instance of Manila for ₱10,000 in damages. The trial court found negligence on both sides, awarded the ₱10,000 as prayed, and all defendants appealed to the Supreme Court.Issues:
- Is Mr. Manuel Gutierrez civilly liable for the negligence of his minor son, Bonifacio, in operating the automobile?
- Are Saturnino Co
Case Digest (G.R. No. 34840) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Parties and vehicles involved
- Plaintiff and Appellee: Narciso Gutierrez, passenger in a truck owned by Saturnino Cortez.
- Defendants and Appellants:
- Abelardo Velasco, chauffeur of the passenger truck.
- Saturnino Cortez, owner of the passenger truck.
- Bonifacio Gutierrez, 18-year-old driver of a private automobile.
- Manuel Gutierrez and Maria V. de Gutierrez, owners of the private automobile and parents of Bonifacio.
- Accident circumstances
- Date and location: February 2, 1930, Talon Bridge on Manila South Road, Las Piñas, Rizal Province.
- Collision details: The passenger truck and private automobile attempted to pass each other on the narrow bridge; both drivers alleged the other failed to give way; excessive speed and inexperience of the minor driver contributed.
- Injury to plaintiff: Narciso Gutierrez suffered a fractured right leg requiring prolonged medical treatment and potentially permanent lameness.
- Concessions: The collision was “caused by negligence pure and simple.” No party disputed negligence, but each blamed the other side.
- Procedural history
- Trial court: Court of First Instance of Manila rendered judgment in plaintiff’s favor, awarding damages of ₱10,000.
- Appeals: Both sets of defendants appealed the judgment—owners/chauffeur of the truck, and parents/driver of the automobile.
Issues:
- Liability of defendants for plaintiff’s injuries
- Are Manuel and Maria Gutierrez liable for the negligence of their son, Bonifacio?
- Are Saturnino Cortez and Abelardo Velasco liable for the negligence of the truck’s chauffeur?
- Contributory negligence
- Did plaintiff’s alleged act of keeping his foot outside the truck constitute contributory negligence?
- Was the defense of contributory negligence properly pleaded and supported by evidence?
- Quantum of damages
- Is the award of ₱10,000 excessive?
- What amount would be fair and reasonable in light of medical expenses, injury severity, and comparative jurisprudence?
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)