Case Digest (G.R. No. L-12219) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
In Amado Picart vs. Frank Smith, Jr. (37 Phil. 809), decided March 15, 1918, the plaintiff, Amado Picart, riding his pony across the Carlatan Bridge in San Fernando, La Union on December 12, 1912, was met by an automobile driven by the defendant, Frank Smith, Jr. The bridge measured approximately 75 meters long and 4.80 meters wide. Approaching at some ten to twelve miles per hour, the defendant sounded his horn three times as warning. Instead of moving to the left side of the bridge, Picart, startled by the novelty and speed of the machine, pressed his pony against the right railing. The defendant, assuming the horseman would yield, continued toward the center at the same speed until, too late to avoid collision, he swerved sharply, frightening the pony. The animal reared and turned its hind leg toward the passing car, which struck and fractured the hock; the horse later died and Picart suffered temporary unconsciousness and contusions. Picart sued for ₱31,100 in damages. The C Case Digest (G.R. No. L-12219) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Parties and Procedural History
- Plaintiff–Appellant: Amado Picart, seeks P31,100 for damages allegedly caused by an automobile.
- Defendant–Appellee: Frank Smith, Jr.; absolved by the Court of First Instance of La Union; appeal lodged.
- Accident Particulars
- Date and Place: December 12, 1912, on Carlatan Bridge, San Fernando, La Union (approx. 75 m long, 4.80 m wide).
- Sequence of Events:
- Picart was midway on the bridge riding a pony.
- Smith approached in an automobile at ~10–12 mph, sounding his horn before and during bridge crossing.
- Upon hearing the signals, Picart pulled his pony close to the right railing, fearing insufficient time to clear.
- Smith steered toward the left (correct side) assuming the pony would move; when he perceived the pony would not clear, he swerved sharply but remained too close.
- The pony was frightened, turned across the bridge, was struck on the left hind hock by the car flange, broke its leg, fell, and later died; Picart suffered contusions requiring medical treatment.
- Prior Proceedings
- Lower Court: CFI of La Union absolved Smith of civil liability.
- Criminal Action: Picart filed for “lesiones graves” before a justice of the peace; dismissed at preliminary hearing.
Issues:
- Did Smith’s conduct amount to actionable negligence?
- Does Picart’s antecedent negligence bar or reduce his recovery?
- Is the “last clear chance” doctrine applicable?
- Did the justice-of-peace dismissal operate as res judicata on civil liability?
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)