Ghafoor v. Taj

Plaintiff was injured in an automobile accident while he was riding as a passenger in defendant’s vehicle. The jury returned a verdict against the defendant. Defendant appeals, contending that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a directed verdict. In effect, defendant is arguing that plaintiff was a guest as a matter of law.①

The facts are undisputed. Plaintiff and defendant had both lived in Afghanistan before plaintiff moved to Eugene, Oregon. Prior to the accident, plaintiff had met defendant only once. On the evening of the accident, defendant, who was visiting in Eugene,…