Case Title: Breitkreutz v. Baker

Citation: 514 P.2d 17

Docket Number: 

State: alaska

Court: Alaska Supreme Court

Date: 1973-09-14T00:00:00Z

Document:
514 P.2d 17 (1973) Rose E. BREITKREUTZ et al., Appellants, v. Robert W. BAKER and John Butrovich, Appellees. No. 1616. Supreme Court of Alaska. September 14, 1973. *18 Robert A. Parrish, O. Nelson Parrish, Fairbanks, for appellants. Howard Staley, Merdes, Schaible, Staley & DeLisio, Anchorage, for appellees. Before RABINOWITZ, Chief Justice, and CONNOR, ERWIN and BOOCHEVER, Justices. *19 ERWIN, Justice. This case arose out of a three-party automobile accident occurring on or about January 8, 1966. The accident occurred at approximately 4:00 p.m. on the Richardson Highway just outside the Fairbanks city limits. It was dark, rendering the visibility poor. The highway was slippery and appeared glassy. Prior to the occurrence of the accident in issue, Butrovich had been following the Breitkreutz vehicle for about a mile proceeding in a northerly direction. At the same time Baker was proceeding south on Cushman Street through the point outside the Fairbanks city limits where Cushman Street becomes the Richardson Highway. As Baker proceeded south on the Richardson Highway, he observed three vehicles approaching him in the left lane driving in a northerly direction toward Fairbanks. Baker testified that as he approached this line of traffic there was "an ice ledge along the side of the road ... and [his] tires on the right hit this ledge [and] caused [the automobile] to deflect and spin, to the left." He stated that after hitting the ledge of ice Following the collision between the Baker and Breitkreutz vehicles, Butrovich's vehicle collided into the rear of the vehicle driven by Breitkreutz. In the original complaint, Rose E. Breitkreutz, appellant herein, asserted claims for personal injury and property damage against defendants Baker and Butrovich. Robert D. Breitkreutz, the husband of Rose E. Brietkreutz, asserted derivative claims against the defendants. The appellee Butrovich answered, alleging contributory negligence as an affirmative defense and asserted a cross-claim against defendant Baker for property damage to Butrovich's automobile. Breitkreutz entered into a pre-trial settlement agreement with defendant Baker. The agreement settled Baker's pecuniary liability and required him to remain in the case as a defendant. Appellee Butrovich dropped his cross-claim for damages against defendant Baker and waived his right to a contributory negligence defense against appellant Breitkreutz. When the case was heard before a jury, Baker's counsel announced that his client had no interest in the outcome of the lawsuit. Thus the case proceeded to trial with the issues narrowed to (1) whether Butrovich was negligent, (2) whether Butrovich's negligence was the proximate cause of harm to plaintiff Breitkreutz, and (3) assuming Butrovich was found to be liable, the extent of the damages sustained by each of the various plaintiffs. Following introduction of the evidence by both parties, Breitkreutz's counsel made a motion for directed verdict on the issue of liability. The trial court denied Breitkreutz's motion, ruling that it was a jury question as to whether or not Butrovich had any excuse for his violation of the applicable regulations. Subsequently, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Butrovich, finding no liability to Rose or Robert Breitkreutz. Appellant raises six issues on appeal. 1. Should a directed verdict have been granted in favor of Breitkreutz on the issue of liability against appellee Butrovich? 2. Did the trial court err in giving instructions concerning excuse and justification of the alleged traffic violations? *20 3. Did the trial court err by instructing the jury with the wrong traffic regulations? 4. Was the instruction regarding proximate cause in error? 5. Were the instructions as a whole ambiguous, confusing, slanted, repetitious, and in many respects erroneous and inconsistent with Alaska law? 6. Did the trial court err by not permitting Baker to defend the Breitkreutz claim against him more actively than was allowed at trial? The initial question raised was whether a directed verdict should have been granted in favor of appellant on the issue of liability. Appellant claims the record is silent of any evidence in favor of appellee Butrovich which would warrant allowing the case to go to the jury. This court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to appellee Butrovich and give him the benefit of all inferences which the evidence fairly supports.[1] Plaintiff's motion for directed verdict was based on her contention that Butrovich inexcusably violated 13 AAC 104.91(a) and (d), and 13 AAC 104.40(a) and therefore, under this court's decision in Ferrell v. Baxter, 484 P.2d 250 (Alaska 1971), his violation constituted negligence per se. This court in Ferrell made it clear that the violation of a statewide administrative traffic regulation adopted pursuant to a statutory authority is to be given the same effect as the violation of a traffic statute itself.[2] This court also stated that once the plaintiff proves that the defendant violated a statute, ordinance, or traffic code provision that embodied a reasonable standard of care, he has established a prima facie case of negligence. If the violation is the cause of an injury to a member of a class of persons which that law was designated to protect, and the injury was of the type that the law was designed to prevent, then there is established a prima facie case of negligence. The appellant contends that the regulation applies, the uncontroverted evidence shows the defendant violated it, and no evidence of excuse or justification was offered. If this is so, plaintiff contends he is entitled to a directed verdict on the issue of negligence. It thus appears that two questions must be answered by this court: The first is whether the regulations in question fall under the strict test set forth in Ferrell; the second being, if so is there any evidence of excuse or justification which would allow the issue to go to the jury. The first regulation the appellee allegedly violated was 13 AAC 104.40. It provided: Now amended to provide: This section sets no precise standards that modify the common law, but only cautions a motorist not to follow another vehicle "more closely than is reasonable and prudent, ... ." Thus only the usual *21 test of reasonable care is codified.[4] The negligence per se standard outlined by Ferrell is inapplicable, and the issue correctly went to the jury to be decided under the reasonable care test. There were facts represented at trial which would allow the jury to find that Butrovich was not following too closely. Appellee/Butrovich testified that he had adequately compensated for the poor road and weather conditions. He stated that immediately prior to the accident he was proceeding in a cautious manner approximately 100 feet behind the Breitkreutz vehicle.[5] There was conflicting testimony on this point,[6] and it would seem appropriate for the jury to decide whether or not Butrovich had violated 13 AAC 104.40 by following another vehicle in an "unreasonable and imprudent" manner. The trial court correctly denied the motion for a directed verdict in this instance. The alleged violation of 13 AAC 104.91 presents a much more difficult problem in light of Ferrell and this court's adoption therein of the rules set forth in Restatement (Second) of Torts §§ 286, 288(A) and 228(B) (1965). 13 AAC 104.91 provided: It is now amended as 13 AAC 02.275 to provide in part: *22 Unlike 13 AAC 104.40, the above regulation sets out more than a standard of due care. It cautions drivers in every event to control their speed "as may be necessary to avoid colliding with... a vehicle... ." Appellant contends that a literal interpretation of the ordinance should be adopted and since Butrovich's vehicle collided with Breitkreutz's vehicle, he was negligent per se (absent any excuse or justification to be discussed infra) and a directed verdict on the issue of liability should have been ordered. Appellee Butrovich argues that the standard set forth by appellant would be too inflexible and would many times lead to absurd results. He urges that the standard of reasonable care should be adopted since the regulation contains language of due care and reasonableness. In Ferrell this court upheld the trial court's adoption of 13 AAC §§ 96 and 104.91 as standards of reasonable behavior displacing common law negligence. This court stated: 13 AAC 104.91 contains specific instructions (to control one's speed in such a manner "to avoid colliding with any ... vehicle... .") as well as general language ("[n]o person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions ... ."). The Sixth Circuit was faced with a similar problem in Lester v. John R. Jurgensen Co.[8] The court considered the question of whether the violation of Ohio Revised Code § 4511.66 constituted negligence per se. That section provides in pertinent part: The court stated: The basis of the Lester decision was Eisenhuth v. Moneyhon[10] previously decided by the Ohio Supreme Court. The paramount issue in Eisenhuth was whether violation of Section 6307-38 of the General Code of Ohio constituted negligence per se. The pertinent part of the statute reads as follows: The Ohio Supreme Court held that when a standard of care is fixed by the legislature it is final and conclusive except where: In Ferrell we had an opportunity to examine 13 AAC 104.91. While we approved the trial court using the negligence per se instruction in that instance, we did note the general rather than the specific import of the regulation. We stated a driver was under a duty to, "maintain a speed no greater than that which is safe having due regard for all the driving conditions at the time and place."[12] Even where a collision occurred we made clear that there are instances where the regulation may not be violated, there again emphasizing the general nature of the regulation. We agree with the rationale articulated above and feel it was appropriate in this instance for the jury to decide whether or not Butrovich had violated 13 AAC 104.91 by driving at a speed "greater than is reasonable and prudent". There is enough evidence in the record to support the trial court's decision not to order a directed verdict against Butrovich. Appellant did not qualify for a directed verdict merely by showing appellee had not controlled his speed in such a manner to avoid a collision.[14] The issue of appellee's negligence correctly went to the jury. A directed *24 verdict would not have been proper in this instance.[15] Appellant Breitkreutz next argues it was error for the trial judge to give instructions on the role of excuse and justification when there was no such evidence in the record. Butrovich initially urges that this assertion of error by Breitkreutz should not be considered by this court because Supreme Court Rule 11(a)(6) was not complied with. This rule states in pertinent part: This court has held that when allegations of error are made concerning the instructions of the trial court, the grounds of objection urged at trial must be set forth.[16] Breitkreutz did not do this and ordinarily this allegation of error would not be considered. However, there are circumstances why the court should invoke Appellate Rule 45 which states: During the trial plaintiff initially made a good faith attempt to object when he disagreed with instructions the court adopted or the court refused to give instructions he requested. However, the judge stated that plaintiff would Supreme Court Rule 11(a)(6), which is applicable to this appeal, should be relaxed in this instance since it was reasonable for plaintiff not to make specific objections at trial to this instruction after the preceding statements were made to him by the court. This court held in Ferrell that certain violations may be excused. The court adopted the excuses set out in Restatement (Second) of Torts § 288A (1965) which provides: *25 The trial court gave the following instructions to the jury which appellant now objects to: These same instructions were given in Ferrell and not held to be in error.[17] Appellant Breitkreutz argues that it was error to give the instructions in this instance pertaining to excuse or justification because there was no evidence in the record which would allow a finding of excuse or justification by the jury. We disagree. We hold that if the jury found Butrovich violated the regulations in question there is enough evidence in the record to find that the violation was excused under Section 288(2)(c) of the Restatement (Second) of Torts.[18] AAC 104.01(a) sets forth the basic speed law which is flexible depending upon conditions at the particular moment as opposed to a fixed maximum speed law. Because of the extreme seasonal variations in Alaska and their effect on driving conditions, it is a task of extreme difficulty to know exactly how far one should follow another vehicle in order to avoid colliding with it under all conditions.[19] We find there was sufficient evidence of Butrovich's inability to comply with the regulations herein that it was not error to submit the questioned instruction to the jury. There is evidence in the record of a sudden collision in Butrovich's path, slippery road conditions, poor visibility and Butrovich's own due care (slow speed and a sufficient distance between his vehicle and Breitkreutz's vehicle). Under these conditions the jury should not be foreclosed from finding that Butrovich was excused because even using due diligence and care he could not comply. Appellant asserts error in the giving of Instruction No. 18 where the court instructed the jury on the law of Alaska as embodied in the Alaska Administrative Code. The regulations used by the trial court were not in effect at the time of the accident. As set out in the instruction, the law reads: The appellant advised the court that the above regulations were incorrect since they were not in effect at the time of the accident.[20] That the trial court erred is clear. When the regulations were objected to this was considered by the court and the following discussion took place: At that time no one could point out any substantive difference between the old and amended regulations as applied to the facts of this particular case. In any event, there would seem to be no prejudice to plaintiff by reason of the court giving the amended *27 regulations, and thus the error is classified as harmless.[21] Appellant next argues the trial court erred in giving Instruction No. 21. The questioned instruction stated: Appellant contends that this instruction gave the indication to the jury that there was only one proximate cause of the damages. Appellant is quite correct in arguing that in certain instances two or more acts may be charged with a single result.[22] However, we note that the trial court correctly stated the law regarding proximate cause in the final paragraph of Instruction No. 15. It reads: Instruction No. 15, together with Instruction No. 32, which cautioned the jury to consider each instruction "in light of and in harmony with all the instructions" correctly indicated that numerous proximate causes may be found to be legal causes of a given injury. Thus Instruction No. 21 read in conjunction with the other instructions given does not dictate that there can only be one proximate cause of an accident but merely that Breitkreutz could recover the full amount of damages from Butrovich if Butrovich's negligence was the proximate cause of injury to Breitkreutz. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not err in giving Instruction No. 21. Appellant also alleges that as a whole the instructions were ambiguous, confusing, slanted, repetitious, and in many respects were erroneous and inconsistent with Alaska law. Breitkreutz never made this objection to the trial court. Though we have been flexible in other points raised for the first time on appeal in this case because some of the confusion may have been generated by the trial court itself, we cannot be as flexible on this point. Breitkreutz could have raised this point in superior court. His failure to do so precludes consideration by this court.[23] Appellant's final point on appeal is that the trial court erred by not permitting defendant Baker to defend the Breitkreutz *28 claim against him more actively than was permitted at the trial. Baker appeared at trial prepared to defend the Breitkreutz claim. He did this even after he had entered into a pre-trial settlement agreement determining his pecuniary liability because as part of this settlement Baker was required to remain in the case as a defendant. The trial court after hearing arguments on both sides determined that defendant could play only a limited role in the trial. Baker was limited in his voir dire of the jury and was not allowed to put on witnesses except in a limited capacity. The trial court instructed the jury that defendant Baker and plaintiff Breitkreutz had settled and for this reason no instructions would be permitted which would allow a finding of liability against Baker. Breitkreutz contends it was error to refuse to allow defendant Baker to actively defend his case. At the time of the trial defendant Baker had no pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case. Baker had settled with the plaintiff and defendant Butrovich had dropped his cross-claim for damages against defendant Baker and waived his right to contribution from Baker. Baker's counsel made the following remarks in his opening statement indicating his view of his own role in the case. The arguments Breitkreutz presented on appeal are novel but unsupported by any authority. The real disadvantage Breitkreutz feels she suffered was aptly stated in her reply brief, "[t]he true disadvantage to plaintiff in this case was the jury's knowledge that a settlement had been made with one of the tortfeasors." She contends that because of the ruling of the trial court the jury came to look at defendant Baker as the party who caused most of the harm. Appellant contends that Whittlesea v. Farmer[24] supports a position similar to hers. In Whittlesea, a similar arrangement was discussed in a concurring opinion. The concurring opinion noted that absent a showing of actual prejudice to the other defendant this was not reversible error. The concurring opinion went on to comment that the settling party "had a right to appear to protect whatever interests he thought might remain."[25] Another case cited by appellant to support her position is Pellett v. Sonotone Corporation.[26] In Pellet, a majority of the California Supreme Court gave their tacit approval of a similar arrangement only when, Justice Traynor dissenting in Pellett articulated some of the fears that the members of this court would have in adopting the argument of appellant. Since in this case we can find no interest in Baker in the outcome of the proceedings,[29] we hold the trial court did not err in limiting the participation of Baker or by informing the jury of the settlement between Baker and Breitkreutz.[30] There was no error by the trial court herein and the judgment is hereby affirmed. FITZGERALD, J., not participating. [1] 5A J. Moore, Federal Practice § 50.02, at 2317-2330 (2d ed. 1971); e.g., Braund, Inc. v. White, 486 P.2d 50, 53-54 n. 5 (Alaska 1971). [2] 484 P.2d 250, 257 (Alaska 1971). [3] Both the old and amended traffic regulations are included because at the time of the accident the old regulations were in effect, but the trial court used the new regulations when giving instructions to the jury. This variance is discussed in detail within. [4] See Lester v. John R. Jurgensen Company, 400 F.2d 393, 395-396 (6th Cir.1968); Eisenhuth v. Moneyhon, 161 Ohio St. 367, 119 N.E.2d 440 (1954). [5] Butrovich testified: Q. How close were you, in your mind, to Mrs. Breitkreutz's car when you say Mr. Baker's car hit her car? A. I do not think at any time I was closer than a hundred feet to the front ca to Mrs. Breitkreutz's car. Q. Is it now your testimony that you were not within a hundred feet of Mrs. Breitkreutz's car when Mr. Baker struck her car? A. Yea I would say I can't say whether it was 80' or a hundred feet but I was not tailgating. I don't make a practice of tailgating and the conditions didn't warrant it that day. Q. Now my question I believe was, were you 100' from Mrs. Breitkreutz's car when you saw Mr. Baker's car strike her car? A. Approximately. [6] Baker testified that at the time his vehicle started to spin, "[M]y distance from the first car [Breitkreutz] in the line of traffic to be approximately 12 to 15'. The vehicle immediately following the first car in line I would estimate the distance to be 20 to 25'." Defendant attempted to discredit Baker's testimony on cross-examination by demonstrating he had no time to make accurate observations and that his memory of the incident may have been faulty. [7] 484 P.2d at 265. [8] 400 F.2d 393 (6th Cir.1968). [9] Id. at 396. [10] 161 Ohio St. 367, 119 N.E.2d 440 (1954). [11] Id. at 443-444. [12] 484 P.2d at 265. [13] Id. at 266. [14] There was testimony in the record that the highway was slippery, the visibility was poor, and that Butrovich was proceeding at a slow rate of speed 100 feet behind the Breitkreutz vehicle. [15] Even if a negligence per se standard had been appropriate in this instance, there was ample evidence of excuse in the record to uphold the trial judge's decision not to enter a directed verdict. See discussion II infra. [16] Higgins v. Lantz, 394 P.2d 776, 777 (Alaska 1964); Parks v. Brown, 368 P.2d 220, 222 (Alaska 1962). [17] 484 P.2d at 255-256. [18] The Restatement in a comment to this section states: g. Diligence and care. Most legislative enactments and regulations are construed to require only reasonable diligence and care to comply with them; and if after such diligence and care the actor is unable to comly, his violation will ordinarily be excused. Illustration: 4. A statute provides that railroad companies shall keep their fences free from snow and ice. A heavy blizzard covers the fences of the A Railroad Company with snow. Although A Company has exercised all reasonable care to provide snow removal equipment, and acts as promptly as possible, it is unable to remove the snow from one of its fences for three days. During the second day B's cow, in an adjoining field, crosses the fence on a mound of snow, and is struck by a train. A is not liable to B on the basis of a violation of the statute. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 288A, Comment g at 36 (1965). [19] Cf. State v. Abbott, 498 P.2d 712 (Alaska 1972). [20] The regulations in effect at the time of the accident stated: 13 AAC 104.91. (a) No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonsonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual potential hazards then existing. In every event, speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care. * * * * * (d) The driver of every vehicle, consistent with the requirements of paragraph (a), drive with an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when travelling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrian or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions. 13 AAC 104.40. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway. [21] See Meyst v. East Fifth Ave. Service, Inc., 401 P.2d 430 (Alaska 1965); Alaska Brick Co. v. McCoy, 400 P.2d 454 (Alaska 1965). [22] W. Prosser, Torts § 41 at 240 (4th ed. 1971); Restatement (Second) of Torts § 432 (1965); State v. Abbott, 498 P.2d 712, 726-727 (Alaska 1972). [23] Moran v. Holman, 501 P.2d 769, 770 n. 1 (Alaska 1972); Stauber v. Granger, 495 P.2d 67, 69 n. 2 (Alaska 1972); Rasco v. Moran, 475 P.2d 696, 698 (Alaska 1970); State v. 7.536 Acres, 431 P.2d 897, 900 (Alaska 1967); Watts v. Seward School Board, 423 P.2d 678 (Alaska 1967). [24] 86 Nev. 347, 469 P.2d 57 (1970). [25] Id. at 61. [26] 26 Cal. 2d 705, 160 P.2d 783 (1945). [27] Id. at 788. [28] Id. at 789. [29] There is some question in our minds as to whether the trial court should have allowed Baker to remain as a nominal defendant in this case. The question arises because Baker had no interest in the case and there would seem to be no "actual controversy" as to him. See Greater Anchorage Area Borough v. City of Anchorage, 504 P.2d 1027 (Alaska 1972); Jefferson v. Asplund, 458 P.2d 995 (Alaska 1969). [30] We feel that if the trial judge had not given the clarifying instruction regarding the settlement and the case went to the jury under the proposal of the appellant, it would have been error.