Case ID: mich_115/html/0102-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Hooker, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

OSBORN v. DETROIT, GRAND HAVEN & MILWAUKEE RAILWAY CO.
    Railroads — Accident at Crossing — Obstructions to View— Contributor"? Negligence.
    A driver who, because of the sun, is unable to see whether a. train is coining, is bound to stop and listen before attempting to cross a railroad track.
    Error to Ionia; Davis, J.
    Submitted November 3, 1897.
    Decided November 23, 1897.
    Case by Lucy L. Osborn against the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railway Company for personal injuries. From a judgment for defendant on verdict directed by the court, plaintiff brings error.
    Affirmed.
    
      Chaddock & Scully and A. A. Ellis, for appellant.
    
      L. C. Stanley (E. W. Meddaugh and Geer & Williams, of counsel), for appellee.
   Hooker, J.

The plaintiff was injured upon a highway crossing of defendant’s railroad. The uncontradicted testimony shows that, for a distance of 50 feet back from the railroad, the train was plainly visible, yet it was not seen, according to the plaintiff’s testimony, until the horse was upon the crossing, and the engine within 20 feet. ■ The only excuse for not seeing it is that looking in that direction would be looking towards the sun. Where a train cannot be seen, by reason of obstructions, it is the duty of the drivers to stop and listen before attempting to cross a railroad. It is very improbable that a train of cars could have approached within 20 feet, without being seen or heard, if the plaintiff and her companion had been usually attentive, when others near by saw and heard it for over a mile; but if, as the plaintiff says, she looked down the road, but could not see whether the train was coming or not by reason of the sun, they should have taken other measures to know that they might safely attempt to cross. The case is within the principle of Richfield v. Railroad Co., 110 Mich. 406.

The judgment is affirmed.

The other Justices concurred.