New York Central Railroad v. Wagner

185 N.E.2d 537, 134 Ind. App. 514, 1962 Ind. App. LEXIS 245
CourtIndiana Court of Appeals
DecidedOctober 19, 1962
DocketNo. 19,245
StatusPublished

This text of 185 N.E.2d 537 (New York Central Railroad v. Wagner) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Indiana Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
New York Central Railroad v. Wagner, 185 N.E.2d 537, 134 Ind. App. 514, 1962 Ind. App. LEXIS 245 (Ind. Ct. App. 1962).

Opinion

Bierly, J.

Appellee brought this action against appellant to recover damages for personal injuries allegedly sustained by her as a result of appellee’s husband, John Wagner, driving his automobile, in [516]*516which appellee was an alleged guest passenger, “into the supporting post of a railroad viaduct over Chase Street, Gary, Indiana.” The accident happened at approximately 9:30 p.m. on September 24,1954.

From a verdict by a jury and a consistent judgment thereon in favor of appellee, appellant perfected this appeal, assigning error by the trial court in overruling the motion of defendant-appellant for a new trial.

Thirteen specifications for a new trial urge pertinent errors of law relative “to the giving of instructions to the jury and the refusal of the trial court to take certain issues from the jury.” Appellant argued Specifications Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10, hence the remaining are deemed waived and will not be considered.

Appellant stated the issues thus:

“The issues, as formed by the complaint and answer in two paragraphs, were alleged negligence on the part of the defendant in failing to have a warning sign, lights, or devices to indicate the presence of its bridge abutment and pier, in failing to light the post of upright support of the viaduct, in maintaining the bridge abutment, post and upright support with a dark color that blended into the color of the pavement, in failing to illuminate the post, upright support and abutment of the viaduct, in failing to maintain a warning light or warning sign on or about the post, in failing to have reasonable adequate reflectors on the post of such size, location and construction as to be seen by a reasonably prudent person operating a vehicle on the street during the hours of darkness, in failing to paint the posts, abutments, or supports a white color, in failing to paint the posts or supports with alternate black and white stripes, and in failing to have the exposed surface of the post, abutment or upright support painted in a color which was dis[517]*517cernable to the traveling public so that it couid be clearly seen.
“By an affirmative of answer, the defendant put in issue that the plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence. These were the issues that were submitted to the jury.”

Upon the jury returning a verdict on March 28, 1957, in favor of plaintiff in the sum of $8,750.00, the court entered judgment on April 8, 1957, as follows:

“It is therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed by the Court that the plaintiff, Kay Wagner, do have and recover of and from the defendant, New York Central Railroad Company, the sum of $8,750.00, as damages plus the costs and accruing costs of this action, all without relief from valucation (sic) and appraisement laws as per the verdict of the jury.”

The record discloses that in the city of Gary there is a public highway and street designated as Chase Street which extends in a northerly and southerly direction in said city of Gary; that appellant railroad engages in interstate commerce and maintains a viaduct constructed in a general east and west direction over and above said Chase Street.

Chase Street was paved with black asphalt to an approximate width of 48 feet curb to curb, and except the underpass, was sufficient to and did accomodate four lanes of traffic, two of which were assigned for north bound and two for south bound traffic. Four sets of creosoted posts support the viaduct. These were approximately twelve (12) inches in diameter. One set of posts was erected about six feet from the east curb, a second set was placed at a distance of about six feet from the west curb. The position [518]*518of the two remaining sets divided the traveled portion of the underpass into three lanes of traffic. By this arrangement the four lanes of travel on Chase Street emerged into three lanes in negotiating the underpass. Approximately 328 feet south of the underpass, a railroad grade crossing, with a grade level of about 9 feet higher than the ground level must be negotiated by northbound traffic prior to entering the underpass. This particular viaduct, in a street opening procedure advanced by the city of Gary, was completed and placed in operation in 1924 after plans and specifications were agreed upon by the said city and the appellant.

At the time of the accident, on September 25, 1954, at about the hour of 9:30 p.m., the evidence discloses that appellee was a passenger in an automobile operated by her husband, John R. Wagner, hereinafter designated as Wagner. Just prior to the accident according to the evidence, Wagner had approached from the south of said grade crossing at a speed of about 20 to 25 miles per hour; that “He saw no signs, markings, lights or other warning devices prior to striking a post supporting the viaduct in the traveled portion of Chase Street.” (Appellee’s Brief, page 5.)

On appeal “only the evidence most favorable” to appellee “and all reasonable and logical inferences that may be drawn therefrom, will be considered by this court, . . . .” Badgley v. State; Brown v. State (1948), 226 Ind. 665, 668 82 N. E. 2d 841.

Wagner testified that he remembered going up a grade, across the tracks and down again. That in answer to a question as to the condition of the Michigan Central tracks, he said:

[519]*519“Well, the tracks — I don’t recall how many tracks there were — were very bumpy, and the crossing was exceptionally rough. In fact, I noticed the lights flickering as I was going over bumps. As I was going over the tracks the car was veering to the left, momentarily. However, right after the tracks there seemed to be a drop-off or dip and I immediately started the car right out and continued driving right on.”

Wagner further testified that as he made the bumpy, rough crossing he applied his brakes and lessened his speed to not more than five miles per hour, but after negotiating the tracks he increased his speed to twenty to twenty-five miles per hour; that no markings or signs or road lanes were evident along the highway but it was “pitch black”; that suddenly the viaduct came at him and his car struck it in a split second before he could apply his brakes; and, that he held his car under control.

Undisputed evidence disclosed that the bridge over the underpass was of wooden construction, as likewise were the creosoted posts supporting the trestle structures. But the supporting creosoted posts were of a black color devoid of any alternating black and white stripes. Wagner further testified that he saw no light under the bridge nor were there any warning signs on the approach to the bridge.

Witness for appellee testified that as the four lane street merged to a three lane on entering the underpass, it would be impossible for any operator of a vehicle to continue in any one of the four lanes on entering the underpass but must veer to right or left for that purpose in order to avoid striking a supporting post of the viaduct.

On cross-examination, Wagner testified he had not used the underpass prior to this occasion; that his [520]*520car went out of control on crossing the railroad tracks.

Evidence was presented disclosing that the city of Gary, prior to 1924, took the initiative to open Chase Street necessitating excavation for underpass on appellant’s right of way.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
185 N.E.2d 537, 134 Ind. App. 514, 1962 Ind. App. LEXIS 245, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/new-york-central-railroad-v-wagner-indctapp-1962.