Opinion
361454
11-21-2023
DIANE SWIFT and ROBIN MODOCK, Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. CITY OF DETROIT, Defendant-Appellant, v. and v. NIKEDA ABNER, Defendant.
UNPUBLISHED
Wayne Circuit Court LC No. 21-004710-NI
Before: PATEL, P.J., and BOONSTRA and RICK, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant City of Detroit appeals by right the trial court's denial of its motion for summary disposition. Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to plaintiffs, Diane Swift and Robin Modock, we conclude that there are genuine issues of material fact whether defendant Nikeda Abner negligently operated the city's bus, and whether Abner's negligent operation of the bus was a proximate cause of plaintiffs' injuries. We affirm.
The trial court granted defendant Nikeda Abner's motion for summary disposition in the same order in which it denied the city's motion. Abner is not a party to this appeal.
The majority states that the city conceded at oral argument on appeal that Abner was driving 35 in a 30 mph zone. This is simply incorrect. Counsel for the city argued at length that even assuming that plaintiffs were correct that Abner was speeding, summary disposition was appropriate because plaintiffs had failed to prove causation. It is clear from context that counsel for the city was arguing that even if plaintiffs had sufficiently established that Abner was speeding, there was no proof of causation; I do not find in that argument a stipulation that Abner was exceeding the speed limit at the time of the accident.
I. BACKGROUND
On July 30, 2019, plaintiffs were passengers on a bus owned by the city and operated by Abner. While the bus was traveling southbound on Woodward, it struck the rear of a small sport utility vehicle (SUV). Both plaintiffs sustained injuries. After the collision, the SUV fled the scene. Neither the driver nor the SUV were identified or located.
On the same date as the accident, Abner completed a "Transit Accident and Crime Report" for the city's Department of Transportation. According to Abner's written statement, the accident occurred when the SUV came from the left side of the bus and turned right in front of the bus, causing the bus to collide with the back bumper of the SUV. Abner further indicated that she was traveling 35 miles per hour at the time of the accident.
Plaintiffs commenced the instant action alleging, in pertinent part, that they sustained injuries as a result of Abner's negligent operation of the city's bus. Plaintiffs alleged that Abner "failed to stop at a safe distance causing an accident." Plaintiffs alleged that Abner violated various statutory and common law duties in operating the bus in a negligent manner, and that Abner's negligence caused the accident and plaintiffs' injuries. Defendants answered the complaint, denying that Abner was negligent, grossly negligent, or even at fault in the accident, asserting that Abner "was cut off by a hit and run driver." Relevantly, the city asserted that it was immune from liability under § 1607 of the Governmental Tort Liability Act (GTLA), MCL 691.1401, et seq.
Abner testified that the accident occurred "around rush hour" at approximately 4:00 p.m. The bus was "extremely full" and passengers were standing. She was familiar with the route, which she described as "busy." She had driven the route on numerous occasions. She maintained that she was looking forward, and denied that she was distracted, at the time of the accident. Abner explained that she was "getting ready to pull into the stop, which is in the next block, and a car from my left side just shoots right in front of me to make a turn . . . and I hit the back of the car, it stopped and then kept going." She did not know where the SUV came from other than "the left side of the bus" on the driver's side. Abner admitted that she did not do anything to avoid the accident, stating that she "didn't know it was happening when it happened." She maintained that there was nothing that she could have done to avoid the accident. She stated that she typically maintained a distance of two cars between the bus and a vehicle in front of her, but admitted that there was not that much distance between the bus and the SUV prior to the impact. Abner was unable to describe the SUV, other than it was "an orangy-brown" small SUV. The SUV pulled off before she could obtain its license plate. She did not get a look at the driver of the SUV, and did not know how many occupants were in it.
Modock was standing on the right side of the bus at the time of the accident. She described the accident as follows:
I was talking on the phone to my cousin and I told her, ["]The bus driver is going too fast/ I have to get off the phone, because I need to get a better grip of holding onto the rail.["] About a minute or two later, I heard the bus driver make a panicky noise, and when I looked, she hit a red SUV, glass shattered and I was on the floor.
Modock stated that, just before the collision, the SUV "was going past the bus/ It was like going in front of the bus, but it was going to the right." She clarified that the SUV "was right in the center of the bus" when she looked just before the impact. She did not see the damage to the SUV or the bus, nor did she see the driver of the SUV or its license plate. Modock estimated that Abner "was probably going at least 50 [miles per hour]" just before the impact. This estimate was based on Modock's experience as a driver.
Swift testified that she was seated in the front of the bus directly behind the driver. She estimated that the bus was traveling at "maybe 50 miles per hour, 55" just before the collision. Swift's estimate was based on her experience of riding the bus daily, and the fact that the bus was passing up cars and other busses. She stated that Abner "was driving faster than the bus normally goes." At the time, Swift was grateful that the driver was "going fast" because "[t]his particular day the bus was running late" and it meant that she would get to work on time. Immediately before the collision, Swift heard a loud screech of tires as Abner slammed on the brakes, then Abner shouted, "Hold on guys!" Swift felt an impact to the front of the bus and heard glass shattering. The impact caused her body to strike various parts of the bus and then slid to the floor of the bus. She did not see any other vehicles that may have been involved in the accident.
Following discovery, defendants filed a joint motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7). Relevant to this appeal, the city asserted that Abner did not negligently operate the bus. The city argued that Abner's testimony established that an unknown vehicle turned directly in front of the bus and there was nothing that Abner could have done to avoid the accident. The city contended that plaintiffs had limited personal knowledge of how the accident happened and thus were unable counter Abner's testimony to create a question of fact as to negligence. The city further asserted that plaintiff's testimony that Abner was speeding was speculative. But, even if there was a question of fact whether Abner was speeding, plaintiffs were unable to establish that but for Abner's alleged speeding, the accident would not have happened.
In response, plaintiffs argued there was a question of fact whether Abner negligently operated the bus. Plaintiffs asserted that the posted speed limit where the accident occurred was 30 miles per hour, but Abner admitted that she was traveling 35 miles per hour at the time of the accident. Because Abner admitted that she was travelling at least 5 miles over the speed limit, plaintiffs maintained there was sufficient evidence that she was speeding, regardless of plaintiffs' testimony. They further argued that plaintiffs' testimony contradicted Abner's testimony as to how the accident happened. Finally, plaintiffs maintained that there was a genuine issue of material fact whether Abner's negligent operation of the bus was a proximate cause of the plaintiff's injuries.
At the hearing on defendants' motion, the trial court denied the motion with respect to the city, stating:
Reasonable minds could differ as to whether the bus driver was negligent such that the accident could have been avoided if she was driving the speed limit. So the exception to governmental immunity applies there.
This appeal followed.
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
"We review de novo a trial court's decision on a motion for summary disposition." El-Khalil v Oakwood Healthcare, Inc, 504 Mich. 152, 159; 934 N.W.2d 665 (2019). Summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7) is proper when a claim is barred because of immunity granted under the law. Moraccini v City of Sterling Heights, 296 Mich.App. 387, 391; 822 N.W.2d 799 (2012). We consider all documentary evidence in a light most favorable to the nonmoving party under MCR 2.116(C)(7). Id. "If there is no factual dispute, whether a plaintiff's claim is barred under a principle set forth in MCR 2.116(C)(7) is a question of law for the court to decide." Id. (quotation marks omitted). "But when a relevant factual dispute does exist, summary disposition is not appropriate." Id. In deciding a motion for summary disposition, "[c]ourts may not make factual findings or weigh the credibility of the evidence ...." Lytle v Malady, 458 Mich. 153, 176; 579 N.W.2d 906 (1998).
III. ANALYSIS
The city argues that the trial court erred by denying its motion for summary disposition because it was entitled to governmental immunity and the motor-vehicle exception set forth in MCL 691.1405 was inapplicable. We disagree.
The GTLA grants a governmental agency immunity from tort liability if the agency was engaged in the exercise or discharge of a governmental function, subject to certain enumerated exceptions. MCL 691.1407(1); Bernardoni v City of Saginaw, 499 Mich. 470, 473; 886 N.W.2d 109 (2016). One of these is the motor-vehicle exception, which holds a governmental agency liable for bodily injury or property damage "resulting from the negligent operation" of a government-owned vehicle. MCL 691.1405. A negligence claim requires proof of four elements: (1) duty, (2) breach, (3), causation, and (4) damages. Seldon v Suburban Mobility Auth for Regional Transp, 297 Mich.App. 427, 433; 824 N.W.2d 318 (2012).
In this case, it is undisputed that Abner is a governmental employee, that she was driving a government-owned vehicle at the time of the accident, that she rear-ended a vehicle in front of her, and that plaintiffs sustained injuries. The city, however, contends that there is no genuine issue of material fact that Abner did not negligently operate the bus. We disagree.
It is well established that Michigan drivers have many statutory and common law duties:
Many duties are imposed upon the drivers of motor vehicles upon public streets and highways. Some result from express statutory requirements to observe certain speed limits, to stop for certain traffic signals and signs, or, under certain circumstances, to yield the right-of-way, violations of which constitute negligence per se. Other duties are inherent in the exercise of that due care which connotes freedom from negligence as defined by the courts. Among the latter are the duties to maintain a reasonable and proper lookout, to see what is plainly there to be seen and give it due heed, and, before proceeding, from a suitable observation of conditions then and there existing, to form a reasonable belief that it is safe to proceed. [City of Kalamazoo v Priest, 331 Mich. 43, 47; 49 N.W.2d 52 (1951) (citation omitted).]
"[E]vidence of violation of a penal statute creates a rebuttable presumption of negligence." Klanseck v Anderson Sales &Serv, Inc, 426 Mich. 78, 86; 393 N.W.2d 356 (1986); see also Rodriguez v Solar of Mich, Inc, 191 Mich.App. 483, 487-488; 478 N.W.2d 914 (1991) ("Violation of a statute by a plaintiff or a defendant creates a prima facie case from which a jury may draw an inference of negligence."). Both MCL 257.627 and MCL 257.628(9) proscribe operating a motor vehicle at speeds faster than the established limit. Specifically, MCL 257.627(1), which is often referred to as the "basic speed law" or "assured, clear distance ahead" rule, provides:
A person operating a vehicle on a highway shall operate that vehicle at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other condition then existing. A person shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than that which will permit a stop within the assured, clear distance ahead.
A driver's duty to maintain a speed that will permit him to stop in the "assured clear distance ahead" applies "with equal force when a driver runs into an object whether it is moving or at rest and whether he is overtaking the object or the object is approaching toward him." Winslow v. Veterans of Foreign Wars Nat'l Home, 328 Mich. 488, 493; 44 N.W.2d 19 (1950) (cleaned up).
Based on her driving experience, Modock estimated that Abner "was probably going at least 50 [miles per hour]" just before the impact. And based on her experience of riding the bus daily, Swift estimated that the bus was traveling at "maybe 50 miles per hour, 55" just before the collision. Swift also noted that the bus was passing up cars and other busses, and Abner "was driving faster than the bus normally goes." Plaintiffs asserted in their response to defendants' motion for summary disposition that the posted speed limit was 30 miles per hour on Woodward. The city did not refute this assertion in its reply brief or during oral argument before the trial court. Pursuant to Abner's own admission that she was traveling 35 miles per hour at the time of the accident, there is no dispute that Abner was driving at least 5 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. And, based on plaintiffs' testimony, perhaps as much as 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Abner's admission to violating the basic speed laws establishes a prima facie case from which a jury may infer that she acted negligently. See Klanseck, 426 Mich. at 86; Rodriguez, 191 Mich.App. at 487-488.
The city conceded this fact during oral argument on appeal.
The majority's characterization of Abner's testimony as admitting "that she took no evasive action to attempt to avoid the collision" is a bit of a reach, in my opinion. Abner testified that she was not able to avoid the accident "because [she] didn't know it was happening when it happened" and specifically testified that she did not believe that she could have done anything to avoid the accident.
Further, Abner admitted that she took no evasive action to attempt to avoid the collision. Although Abner claimed that the SUV pulled in front of the bus and maintained that she had no time to react, a jury could discredit Abner's self-serving testimony. Abner also conceded that the accident occurred during rush hour, on a busy route, and that she did not keep a safe distance between the bus and the SUV in front of the bus. MCL 257.627(1) requires a motorist to maintain an assured, clear distance ahead. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to plaintiffs, we conclude that there are material questions of fact whether Abner negligently operated the city's bus.
The city also argues that, even assuming that Abner was speeding at the time of the accident, there is no genuine issue of material fact that Abner's negligence was not "the" proximate cause of their injuries. The city mistakenly relies on the wrong standard. This heightened standard only applies to plaintiffs' claims against Abner, individually. See MCL 691.1407(2)(c) (stating that a governmental employee is not responsible in tort for personal injuries unless the governmental employee's conduct amounts to "gross negligence that is the proximate cause of the injury or damage.") "[I]t is well-established that the proper standard for proximate causation in a negligence action is that the negligence must be 'a proximate cause' not 'the proximate cause.'" O'Neal v St John Hosp &Med Ctr, 487 Mich. 485, 497; 791 N.W.2d 853 (2010). The motor-vehicle exception requires that plaintiffs prove that their injuries "result[ed] from" the negligent operation of a government-owned vehicle. MCL 691.1405. In construing the "resulting from" language in MCL 691.1405, our Supreme Court held "result" means, "To occur or exist as a consequence of a particular cause[;] To end in a particular way[;] The consequence of a particular action, operation or course; outcome." Robinson v Detroit, 462 Mich. 439, 456; 613 N.W.2d 307 (2000) (cleaned up; alterations in original). Proximate cause is a question for the jury to decide unless reasonable minds could not differ regarding the issue. Nichols v Dobler, 253 Mich.App. 530, 532; 655 N.W.2d 787 (2002). In this case, Abner admitted that she was driving at least 5 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, she took no evasive action to attempt to avoid the collision, and she did not maintain an assured, clear distance ahead while driving during rush hour on a busy route. The collision that resulted is the kind of injury that such actions produce. We conclude that there are genuine issues of fact regarding whether Abner's conduct was a proximate cause of the accident.
Affirmed.
MARK T. BOONSTRA, J. (dissenting).
I respectfully dissent. I would reverse the trial court and remand for entry of an order granting summary disposition in favor of defendant City of Detroit (the city).
The majority is correct that evidence that a driver has violated a statute that imposes a legal duty, if unrebutted, may support a finding both of a legal duty and of negligence in the breach of that duty, Randall v Michigan High School Athletic Ass'n, 334 Mich.App. 697, 721; 965 N.W.2d 690 (2020). However, in this case, the only evidence plaintiffs presented regarding defendant Abner's alleged negligence was that they were injured when the bus stopped suddenly. "It is well settled that, absent evidence of other negligence pertaining to the operation of a bus, a plaintiff bus passenger may not recover for injuries sustained when the bus suddenly stopped." Seldon v Suburban Mobility Auth for Regional Transp, 297 Mich.App. 427, 437; 824 N.W.2d 318 (2012) (citations omitted). Moreover, the mere fact that an injury occurred does not, itself, indicate that negligent conduct occurred. Id. Finally, mere evidence of a violation of a statute does not establish "whether the violation had a causal connection to the claimed injury." Randall, 334 Mich.App. at 721.
The trial court held that plaintiffs had established at least a question of fact regarding whether Abner had exceeded the posted speed limit at the time of or shortly before the accident. However, contrary to plaintiffs' argument on appeal, the record does not show that the trial court gave any credence to the plaintiffs' estimates of the bus's speed as 50 or 55 mph-indeed, the trial court explicitly stated that "the statement that [Abner] was driving 50 miles an hour [sic] is just pure speculation." I agree with the trial court's assessment of plaintiffs' estimates. Even viewed in the light most favorable to plaintiffs, Moraccini, 296 Mich.App. at 391, plaintiffs' testimony does not establish a genuine issue of material fact. Plaintiffs admitted during their depositions that their estimates were based on a mere feeling that the bus was moving faster than usual. Mere speculation and conjecture does not establish a genuine issue of fact. See Hall v Consolidated Rail Corp, 462 Mich. 179, 187; 612 N.W.2d 112 (2000).
Plaintiffs did submit documentary evidence that Abner herself had reported her speed as 35 mph. The trial court appears to have based its holding on that documentary evidence in concluding that "[r]easonable minds could differ as to whether the bus driver was negligent such that the accident could have been avoided if she was driving the speed limit." However, the trial court never received any evidence regarding the posted speed limit at the site of the accident; nor does it appear that the trial court took judicial notice of the speed limit. Although the majority states that the city "failed to refute" plaintiffs' claim that the speed limit was 30 mph, I note that plaintiffs merely represented in their reply brief and at the motion hearing that the posted speed limit was 30 mph. Consequently, plaintiffs failed to fully support their claim of duty and breach with any evidence supporting a conclusion that Abner was exceeding the posted speed limit; that error alone requires reversal. See Randall, 334 Mich.App. at 721.
More significantly, even assuming for the purposes of this analysis that the trial court correctly found a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether Abner had breached a legal duty by exceeding the posted speed limit by 5 mph,1 the trial court nonetheless erred by denying the city's motion for summary disposition. That is because plaintiffs failed to establish a prima facie case that their injuries resulted from Abner's alleged negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
Plaintiffs presented absolutely no evidence that Abner's allegedly negligent conduct was the factual cause of the accident and their injuries. To establish factual causation, a plaintiff must establish that, more likely than not, but for the defendant's conduct, a plaintiff's injuries would not have occurred. Patrick v Turkelson, 322 Mich.App. 595, 616; 913 N.W.2d 369 (2018). Alleging only that they were injured by falling when the bus stopped suddenly as a result of the collision, plaintiffs theorize that Abner would have been able to stop in time to avoid the other vehicle if she had been driving more slowly; however, plaintiffs both admitted during their depositions that they did not see how the accident occurred, and they offer this theory as pure speculation. Plaintiffs presented no evidence to contradict Abner's deposition, in which she stated that an SUV overtook the bus on its left side and suddenly turned in front of the bus, leaving her no time to avoid the collision.2 Abner also testified that she was not ticketed by the police and that she underwent drug screening-the results of which were negative-immediately after the accident.
On this record, plaintiffs' theory regarding causation was mere speculation, based solely on the fact that an accident had occurred. See Patrick, 322 Mich.App. at 617. Even if plaintiffs did establish a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether Abner had exceeded the posted speed limit, they did not provide a causal connection between that conduct and the accident. Randall, 334 Mich.App. at 721. The trial court therefore erred by denying the city's motion for summary disposition.
For these reasons, I respectfully dissent and would reverse and remand for entry of summary disposition in favor of the city.