Western & Atlantic R. R. v. Stafford , 99 Ga. 187 ( 1896 )

Simmons, C. J.

1. There was no error in allowing a physician to testify that one who had received violent personal injuries, and who was under treatment in a boarding-house, on the day .upon which he was hurt, did not know he had previously on the same day, after receiving the injuries, been in the physician’s office; it not appearing, upon cross-examination or otherwise, 'that the physician’s knowledge on this subject was not ■derived from personal observation of the patient’s condition or that it depended solely upon statements made by the latter.

2. Under the evidence in this case, the court did not err in charging that a failure of the defendant’s servants to comply with a city ordinance regulating the speed of trains within the corporate limits was negligence, nor in failing to submit to the jury the question whether such ordinance was reasonable or unreasonable with reference to the locality where the injury was inflicted.

3. The court erred in not allowing a diagram of the place where the collision occurred to be sent out with the jury, it having been prepared by a civil engineer who testified to its correctness, and having been admitted in evidence.

4. The charge of the court to the effect that if the defendant’s agents were guilty of wilful negligence in running the train, or did so “in reckless disregard of the life or safety of people,” the plaintiff was entitled to recover, and his recovery should not be lessened notwithstanding the jury might believe that by exercising ordinary -care he might have avoided the consequences of the defendant’s negligence, .even if correct in the abstract, was not appropriate in this case. For this reason, if not for others as well, it was error to give in charge section. 3066 of 'the code.

July 27, 1896. Argued at the last term.

Action for damages. Before Judge Milner. Whitfield superior court. April term, 1895.

Tbe declaration made tbe following allegations: Waugh street, one of tbe public streets of Dalton, crosses tbe railroad nearly at right 'angles. On tbe east side of tbe railroad and immediately north of tbe street is a large building, biding from tbe view of those looking from tbe railroad track persons approaching tbe railroad from tbe east on said street, and at tbe side and west of and close to said building were standing cars, extending down close to tbe wagon way and still further obstructing the view northward up tbe railroad track, until persons so approaching tbe railroad are within a few feet of tbe track. On July 10, 1893, be was approaching said railroad on this street cautiously from tbe oast, sitting upon a load of wood on bis wagon. As soon as be reached a point from which be could look northward up tbe track, be did so, and seeing no train approaching and bearing no whistle or ringing of a bell, attempted to drive across the track. As soon as bis team got on tbe track, be saw defendant’s passenger-train approaching around a curve from tbe north, at a speed of 25 miles per hour. When he first saw or could, have seen the train it was within two or three hundred feet of him. Before he could turn his team from the track or urge it across the track, or leap from his wagon, the engine struck the wagon, hurling it into the air and throwing him violently upon the ground beside the track. His wagon was destroyed, to his damage $100; and he was knocked senseless and remained unconscious for ten hours; the bones of one of his hands were broken; his head was cut, gashed and bruised; the crest of one of his pelvic bones was broken off; his thighs, back and hips were greatly bruised and lacerated; his face and breast were cut and bruised in many places; and from these injuries his nervous system was greatly shocked, from which shock he has not yet recovered and fears he never will recover. He suffered great mental and physical pain from the injuries for many weeks, still suffers such pain, and has reason to fear he never will be free from p'ain.'. He has been wholly unable to walls since the occurrence, and fears he never will be able to walk as before. He .has been unable to do any labor, and will be unable for many months, and fears he never will be able to labor as before. His injuries are permanent. There are two other public crossings within 300 yards north of that at which he was injured. Defendant’s agents were negligent in running over both these at said high rate of speed, and in not sounding any whistle or ringing 'any bell as required by law and by the ordinances of the city. They were negligent in running around said curve and approaching the "Waugh street crossing at said high rate of speed, and in not blowing the whistle or ringing the bell or giving other signals of approach of the locomotive; and were grossly negligent in not checking and continuing to cheek the train as it approached the crossing.

5. Notwithstanding the errors above indicated, the reasonableness of the verdict in amount, in view of the character of the plaintiff’s injuries, shows that these errors resulted in no harm to the defendant; and as the evidence was amply sufficient to authorize a recovery, there should be no new trial.

Judgment affirmed.