Court Opinion

ID: 5038485
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-10-01 06:22:09.109353+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:07:34.398317
License: Public Domain

This is an action for damages arising out of a collision between an automobile driven by Roy Stanfield and a pickup truck driven by Mark Butler. Both drivers were fatally injured, and this action is between their heirs and legal representatives. The Stanfields brought this suit, and the Butlers filed a cross-action. Trial was by jury and judgment rendered for the Butlers. In this opinion the Stanfields will be referred to as appellants and the Butlers as appellees.
All of appellants" points of error are evidentiary with a series of "no evidence," "insufficient evidence," and "against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence" points as to both negligence and proximate cause concerning these four factual issues:
 (1) Whether Mark Butler was on the left side of the highway; *Page 840
 (2) Whether Mark Butler failed to keep a proper lookout;
 (3) Whether Roy Stanfield was on the left side of the highway;
 (4) Whether Roy Stanfield failed to keep a proper lookout.
The jury answered all of the issues favorably to the Butlers. In passing upon these points of error we consider only the favorable evidence as to the "no evidence" point and the entire record as to the remaining points. In deciding whether there is evidence to support the issues, we view such evidence in its most favorable light in support of the verdict. East Texas Theaters, Inc. v. Rutledge, 453 S.W.2d 466 (Tex.Sup., 1970).
This collision occurred between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. on the night of March 30, 1968, about two miles north of Karnes City on U.S. Highway 181. There were no passengers in either vehicle. This two-lane highway was straight at the place the collision happened with a mild incline from south to north.
Appellants" testimony was in substance as follows: Darlene Rhodes testified that she and Roy Stanfield planned to be married. On the date of this incident she met Roy about 6:30 p.m. at a barbeque at Hopson which is about seven miles north of Karnes City. About 8:30 p.m. they left the barbeque to return to Karnes City with the plan that Roy would follow her home and pick her up there. They had driven to the barbeque at different times and in separate cars. They were proceeding south on Highway 181 with Darlene driving in front of Roy about 60 yards, maintaining that distance, both about 55 miles per hour. She had her lights on bright with his lights on dim. The pickup truck involved in the collision driving normally met and passed her. She glanced in her rear-view mirror and Roy's headlights were behind her about the same distance (60 yards) — then there was darkness — then a ball of fire in her lane which veered off into the middle of the road of the other side. Roy did not attempt to pass her at any time from the time they left the barbeque until the accident.
Bernard Glassman, Jr., who was a school teacher at Karnes City High School at the time was driving south on Highway 181 and witnessed the collision from a distance. He saw headlights coming toward him which veered to his right into his lane. He then saw a fireball in his lane, and then flames spreading to his left into the other lane which seemed to cover the road from one side to the other. He estimated he was about one fourth of a mile away when the collision occurred.
Jerry Janak, a State Highway Patrolman, assisted his partner in an investigation of this collision. He observed the position of the vehicles and the highway at the place of the collision. He found a gouged mark in the southbound (Stanfield's) lane and scraping marks in the direction of travel the vehicles took after impact. He gave his opinion that the collision occurred in the southbound lane.
Charles H. Ruble, a Captain on the San Antonio Police Department and a private accident consultant for eleven years, made an investigation of this collision. He was furnished a number of photographs taken the night of the collision and the following day. He went to the scene of the accident April 3, 1968, examined it and took more pictures. He then examined the vehicles involved and took more pictures. He stated it was his opinion the point of impact was a gouge mark he found in the southbound lane. He traced the direction the automobile and pickup truck took both before and after the impact. In his opinion both vehicles were traveling at a speed between 60 to 65 miles per hour with a possibility the pickup was going 5 to 6 miles per hour faster than the automobile. In his opinion the truck overrode the automobile causing the automobile to go down in the front and make the primary contact with the pavement, resulting in the gouge mark he found in the southbound *Page 841 
lane. He found no gouge marks — no impact dig marks in the northbound lane.
Appellees put on the testimony of Robert E. Bradley by deposition. He was Mark Butler's supervisor but did not have the "slightest idea" as to how the accident occurred. The only other witness called was Mark Butler's surviving widow who also knew nothing about the facts surrounding the collision. Appellees' version of this collision is that Roy Stanfield was attempting to pass Darlene Rhodes and collided head-on with Mark Butler in the northbound lane of traffic (Butler's lane). Appellees rely upon the physical evidence at the scene of the collision, appellants' witnesses, appellants" exhibits and six photographs offered by appellees to sustain their position.
Appellees seek to discredit the testimony of Bernard Glassman, Jr., by the following: Glassman did not see the taillight of the Stanfield automobile. He did not see the headlights of the oncoming car, but merely the glare in the sky. He did not give his name to the highway partrolman as a witness. He did not see Darlene Rhodes or the first automobile (according to Darlene Rhodes) which arrived at the scene of the collision.
Appellees seek to discredit the testimony of Darlene Rhodes by the following: Darlene Rhodes testified by deposition that Roy Stanfield was driving along about 60 feet behind her and then changed the distance to 60 yards at the time she signed the deposition. Darlene Rhodes testified that the pickup truck, which collided with Roy Stanfield's automobile, was on its right-hand side of the highway when it passed her; and she noticed nothing unusual about it when it passed.
Appellees seek to discredit the testimony of Jerry Janak by the following: He was merely assisting in the investigation and had no report from which to refresh his memory. He found the pickup truck on fire in the northbound lane facing west when he arrived. He found the automobile with no evidence of burning on the west paved shoulder facing in a northerly direction and with the front end about 30 to 40 feet south of the pickup. He admitted he did not know which vehicle made the gouge marks in the southbound lane and that they could have been made after the cars collided and swung around. He admitted he did not know the Stanfield car was following closely behind the Rhodes car and that the Butler car passed the Rhodes car just before the collision.
Appellees seek to discredit the testimony of Charles H. Ruble by the following: Ruble was hired several days after the collision to attempt to reconstruct the accident. Ruble admitted he did not contact any of the witnesses and did not know that Stanfield was following closely behind the Darlene Rhodes car immediately before the collision. He testified the white area appearing in several exhibits just south of where the pickup truck came to rest was made by the battery acid from the automobile; that the battery was smashed to bits upon impact; that he found no debris or battery acid at the gouge marks.
Appellees rely primarily upon two deductions from the physical evidence. First, the presence of the battery acid in the northbound lane as proof that the collision occurred at that point where the battery was smashed. Second, with each vehicle traveling 60 miles per hour and closing at the rate of 170 feet per second, if Roy Stanfield was 60 yards behind the Rhodes car, it would have been physically impossible for Mark Butler to have passed the Rhodes car in his own lane and then turn into the Stanfield car in one second.
Appellants" "no evidence" points are overruled. There is some physical evidence that supports the findings of the jury. However, we find all of the jury findings under attack to be contrary to the weight and preponderance of the evidence. Even though proper lookout issues were submitted as to both Stanfield and Butler, the real battle in this case was fought over *Page 842 
the lane of traffic in which the collision occurred.
On the one hand, we have the testimony of Darlene Rhodes, Bernard Glassman, Jr., Jerry Janak and Charles H. Ruble all testifying that this collision occurred in the southbound lane. On the other hand, we have the evidence that the Stanfield automobile battery was smashed to bits and battery acid was in the northbound lane.
There is no direct evidence that the battery acid in the northbound lane came from the Stanfield automobile. No inquiry was made of any witness as to what happened to the pickup truck battery. From our study of the pictures of the pickup truck in evidence in this case, we are convinced its battery was also smashed to bits. According to the testimony of Charles Ruble, in reconstructing this collision, the Stanfield automobile did not get into the northbound lane at any time. The direction the pickup truck took after the impact was over the spot where the battery acid was found. Further, no gouge mark was found in the northbound lane; and extensive asphalt material was found in the rim of the Stanfield automobile, demonstrating the fact that a gouge mark was made in this collision. Ruble also testified that he found other light areas that could also represent battery acid which could account for the Stanfield automobile battery acid. We have concluded the findings of the jury are clearly wrong and manifestly unjust.
Reversed and remanded.
 ON MOTION FOR REHEARING
Complaint is made by the Butlers that this court should not remand that portion of the judgment denying the Stanfield recovery, but should affirm the judgment of the trial court. The basis for this contention is that the Stanfields made no complaint in the trial court in their motion for new trial, and no points of error in this court attacking the jury finding of "none" to the Stanfield damage issue. The rationale is that the jury finding of no damages supports the take-nothing judgment, and the liability issue findings were immaterial. The case of Lewis v. Isthmian Lines, Inc., 425 S.W.2d 893
(Tex.Civ.App., Houston, 1968, no writ), is cited as authority for this position. There is also some veiled suggestion that Howard and Hattie Stanfield, as individuals, may not have appealed from the take-nothing judgment, and that this appeal is by the Stanfields as representatives of the Estate from the judgment against them as cross-defendants.
First, this latter contention is rejected. The record shows the original and amended motions for new trial were made by the Stanfields as plaintiff and cross-defendants. The judgment and the order overruling the motion for new trial each recite notice of appeal by the Stanfields in both capacities. The supersedeas bond recites the fact that Howard and Hattie Stanfield and the Estate of Roy Stanfield, Deceased, desire to take an appeal. Such bond is signed on behalf of the Stanfields in both capacities. We think it is clear the Stanfields are before us as both plaintiffs and cross-defendants.
The Lewis Case, supra, is apparently the only case in this state touching on the matter before us, and it has no writ history. The Lewis Case, supra, held for the first time that the jury findings as to liability were immaterial and harmless unless the finding of no damage be set aside, citing Southern Pine Lumber Co. v. Andrade, 132 Tex. 372, 124 S.W.2d 334
(1939). This latter case is one of the most frequently cited and followed cases found in our law books. However, except for the Lewis Case, supra, it has always been cited for the proposition that the answer to the damage issue was immaterial when the liability issues have been found against the complaining party. We do not agree that the converse of the rule is true, as the damage issue cannot be regarded in the same light as liability issues for reasons hereafter stated. *Page 843 
We are inclined to believe that this position, now taken by the Butlers on motion for rehearing for the first time, comes too late. The Butlers did not indicate at any point in the trial court that they would rely upon this proposition. Nothing is said in their motion for judgment that they were entitled to a take-nothing judgment against the Stanfields in their individual capacity because of the answer to the Stanfield damage issue. The Butlers did not mention this matter in the proposed judgment tendered to the court, and this is likewise true of the judgment entered by the court. Also, the Butlers did not mention this proposition in their counter or reply points contained in their appellees brief filed in this court.
In their appellees brief filed in this court, the Butlers did not contend in any manner that portions of the judgment entered in the trial court were separable. They did not ask this court to affirm the judgment against the Stanfields individually, regardless of any action taken as to the judgment secured by the Butlers. In fact, the Butlers did not mention the word "separable" in their motion for rehearing, and cited no authorities to this court which would authorize a remand of only a portion of this case. In such brief the Butlers" only contentions were that the jury findings as to liability were supported by the evidence, without a hint to this court that such findings were immaterial as to the individual Stanfields because of the jury answer of "none" to the Stanfield damage issue. It has been consistently held in this state that matters presented for the first time on motion for rehearing cannot be considered. See W. T. Burton Company v. Keown Contracting Company, 353 S.W.2d 909 (Tex.Civ.App., Beaumont, 1961, error ref., n.r.e.); Quinn v. Wilkerson, 195 S.W.2d 399
(Tex.Civ.App., Fort Worth, 1946, no writ); Aycock v. Travis County, 255 S.W.2d 910 (Tex.Civ.App., Austin, 1953, error ref.).
The frequent holdings of the courts of this state that the answers to the damage issues are immaterial, must have led the Stanfields to believe it was not necessary for them to attack such finding on this appeal. The wording used by the Commission of Appeals in the Andrade Case, supra, to the effect that it would not have mattered if the jury had found defendant in error was damaged in a substantial amount, or had failed to answer that issue, would tend to mislead a litigant under the circumstances of the case before us. Under the posture of this case, if the jury had found the Stanfields damaged in a substantial amount, the judgment of this court would still be to reverse and remand the entire case for a new trial. A careful reading of the record before us indicates a battle between the parties was never fought over whether Howard and Hattie Stanfield had a reasonably probable expectation of receiving pecuniary benefits and contributions from their son, Roy Stanfield. The only question was as to the amount. The problem is similar to the one existing when all of the evidence shows a plaintiff has received some injury and the only question for the jury to decide is the extent of such injury. In those cases, the rule is that it is not error to refuse to submit an issue as to whether an injury occurred. Texas 
Pacific Railway Company v. Moore, 329 S.W.2d 293 (Tex.Civ.App., El Paso, 1959, error ref., n.r.e.); Breaux v. Slocum, 438 S.W.2d 403, (Tex.Civ.App., Beaumont, 1968, error ref., n.r.e.). All of the evidence shows, in our case, that Roy Stanfield was thirty years of age at the time of his death, and his parents, in their sixties; that Roy Stanfield had never married, and was still living at home; that his parents were farmers and ranchers, and that Roy had begun to help with the farming while still in high school and continued while they sent him to college; that he helped continuously to the date of his death, and the value of his services went from $2,500.00 a year in 1956, to $9,500.00 in 1968, excepting only the years he was in the armed services. The answer of "none" to the damage issue demonstrates what the courts have always *Page 844 
known — that juries are aware of the effect of their answers, and were trying to be consistent in holding for the Butlers and against the Stanfields, even though all of the evidence in the record showed some damages suffered by the Stanfields.
The Butlers have cited us no cases supporting their position. That is, that we should sever the Stanfield cause of action from the Butler cause of action, and not disturb the Stanfield take-nothing judgment even though we remand the Butler cause of action. We have made an independent search and have found no case in which such action has been taken. We have concluded our situation is more like the case in which a court of civil appeals has found error in a judgment as to the damages requiring reversal of the case, and the established law will not permit a reversal of only that portion of this case. In those instances it is held that the entire case must be returned to the trial court. Pacific Fidelity Life Insurance Company v. Simpson, 434 S.W.2d 117 (Tex.Sup. 1968), Hanover Fire Insurance Co. v. Bock Jewelry Co., 435 S.W.2d 909, 919 (Tex.Civ.App., Dallas, 1968, error ref., n.r.e.).
Motion for rehearing overruled.