Bennett v. Dove

Decision Date21 November 1955
Docket NumberNo. 2,No. 35942,35942,2
Citation93 Ga.App. 57,90 S.E.2d 601
PartiesJ. C. BENNETT v. Claude DOVE
CourtGeorgia Court of Appeals

On June 14, 1955, J. C. Bennett brought an action for $5,560 in damages against Claude Dove to recover for enumerated personal injuries growing out of a collision between the plaintiff's and the defendant's automobiles on January 13, 1955.

The defendant filed a plea of accord and satisfaction in which he alleged that all claims of the plaintiff growing out of the collision between the two automobiles had been fully settled and compromised as shown by the following release:

'Know all men by these presents, that I, J. C. Bennett, in consideration of eightythree and 36/100 dollars ($83.36) to me in hand paid by Claude Dove receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, released, acquitted and discharged and by these presents do release, acquit and forever discharge said Claude Dove, his * * * heirs, executor, administrators, successors, or assigns, of and from any and all actions, causes of action, damages or demands of whatever name or nature in any manner arisen, arising or to grow out of any and all accidents or matters and especially an accident to my 1952 Plymouth coupe, claimed by the undersigned to have been sustained on or about the 13 day of Jan., 1955, substantially as follows: car in front of me turned off without giving signal, when I slowed down Mr. Dove ran into rear of my car.

'It is further acknowledged that there is no agreement or promise on the part of Claude Dove his * * * heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns to do or omit to do any act or thing not herein mentioned, and that the above consideration is in full settlement of any and all damages to the undersigned arising from or out of any and all matters aforementioned.

'The said Claude Dove in paying the said sum of money does so in compromise of the said claim or claims, action or actions, cause of action, or caused of action, damages and demand or demands above released, not admitting any liability on account of the same.

'In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on this 14 day of January A. D., 1955.

'/s/ J. C. Bennett (L.S.).'

The defendant alleged further that on January 14, 1955, the plaintiff received a draft, issued on General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation, in the amount of $83.36, which was paid to the plaintiff in satisfaction of his claim for damages growing out of the collision referred to in the plaintiff's petition, and such check or draft was received and endorsed by the plaintiff, and cashed by him. The following statement appeared on the draft immediately above the plaintiff's signature: 'The endorsement of this draft constitutes a clear release and receipt in full settlement of the claim or account indicated on the face of this draft.' The defendant contends therefore that there has been a complete accord and satisfaction and settlement of the plaintiff's claims in connection with all matters set out in the plaintiff's petition.

In answer to the defendant's plea, the plaintiff admitted that he executed the release referred to as a release for property damage to his automobile only. He admitted that he received the check from the General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation in the amount of $83.36 in settlement of his claim for damages to his automobile, and admitted further that he had cashed the check. He denied that he had settled in any way his claim for bodily injury and denied that there had been a complete accord and satisfaction and settlement of his claims in connection with all...

To continue reading

Request your trial
10 cases
  • Phillips v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co.
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 6 mars 1970
    ...540, 56 S.E.2d 860; Kelly v. McCoy, 85 Ga.App. 514, 69 S.E.2d 652; Kransner v. O'Dell, 89 Ga.App. 718, 80 S.E.2d 852; Bennett v. Dove, 93 Ga.App. 57, 90 S.E.2d 601; Coleman v. State Farm Mutual Auto Ins. Co., 104 Ga.App. 328, 121 S.E.2d 833. Consequently, it must follow that when plaintiff ......
  • Lineberger v. Williams
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 13 mars 1990
    ...resolution of that ambiguity required consideration of evidence outside of the four corners of the contract. See Bennett v. Dove, 93 Ga.App. 57(3), 90 S.E.2d 601 (1955). Instead, the trial court erroneously charged that it was for the jury to determine whether an ambiguity existed and that,......
  • Creamer v. Smith
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 17 février 1982
    ...any and all actions, causes of action, damages or demands of whatever name or nature in any manner arising...' " Bennett v. Dove, 93 Ga.App. 57(4), 90 S.E.2d 601 (1955). Neither, by its terms, did the "release" refer to "all damages" appellant suffered in the collision. Compare Townsend v. ......
  • Cincinnati Ins. Co. v. Gwinnett Furniture Mart, Inc.
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 22 avril 1976
    ...of fact is involved. Ludden & Bates Southern Music House v. Dairy & Farm Supply Co., 17 Ga.App. 581(1), 87 S.E. 823; Bennett v. Dove, 93 Ga.App. 57, 90 S.E.2d 601. Conclusions. (a) Examination of the policy organization in terms of the law set out above makes it obvious that as to the Compr......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT