Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Transportation Law Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 24 of 24

Full-Text Articles in Transportation Law

Houston, We Have A (Liability) Problem, Justin Silver Mar 2014

Houston, We Have A (Liability) Problem, Justin Silver

Michigan Law Review

The development of private manned space flight is proceeding rapidly; there are proposals to launch paying passengers before the end of 2014. Given the historically dangerous nature of space travel, an accident will probably occur at some point, resulting in passengers’ injury or death. In the event of a lawsuit stemming from such an accident, a court will likely find that a space flight entity operating suborbital flights is a common carrier, while an entity operating orbital flights is not. Regardless of whether these entities are common carriers, they face a threat of high levels of liability, as well as …


Recent Trends In Transport Rate Regulation, Leonard S. Goodman Jun 1972

Recent Trends In Transport Rate Regulation, Leonard S. Goodman

Michigan Law Review

The object of this Article is to describe the trends in the Commission's work during the 1960's in some of the areas of rate regulation that could not be settled by mere reference to costs, and in other areas of changing rate policy. This was a prolific period for the Commission, one that involved many rate innovations and a sense of new direction in certain aspects of rate regulation. The present discussion of the Commission's rate work is in no sense complete; and there is no intention to make it so. By emphasizing the decisions of the recent decade, I …


Negligence - Duty To Discover Continuous Trespasser Or Bare Licensee On Railroad's Right Of Way, Michigan Law Review May 1939

Negligence - Duty To Discover Continuous Trespasser Or Bare Licensee On Railroad's Right Of Way, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff alleged that while he was carefully crossing defendant's right of way, on a clearly defined and well worn footpath, he was struck by defendant's engine, which was backing toward the footpath in a "stealthy manner"; that defendant's servants failed to give warning as they were accustomed to do, or keep a lookout; that the footpath had been habitually used in crossing defendant's right of way for many years, that such crossing had been constant, open, and notorious as defendant knew; and that defendant had never objected to this use. Defendant demurred. Held, demurrer sustained on the ground that …


Interstate Commerce - Right Of State To Deny Use Of Highways To Carrier Having Certificate From Interstate Commerce Commission, Ralph Winkler Jan 1939

Interstate Commerce - Right Of State To Deny Use Of Highways To Carrier Having Certificate From Interstate Commerce Commission, Ralph Winkler

Michigan Law Review

A common carrier engaged in interstate commerce applied to the Interstate Commerce Commission for a certificate of convenience and necessity as required by section 206 of the Federal Motor Carrier Act of 1935. The carrier relied on the proviso authorizing the commission to grant a certificate without a showing of public convenience and necessity where the applicant was a carrier in bona fide operation on June 1, 1935; the statute further privileged a carrier applying for a certificate under this proviso to continue operation pending determination of its application. The State Railroad Commission of Texas earlier in 1934 had denied …


Carriers - Limitation Of Liability For Negligence -True Valuation Agreement Jan 1936

Carriers - Limitation Of Liability For Negligence -True Valuation Agreement

Michigan Law Review

Approximately one-seventh of a shipment of cherries in brine was lost owing to improper stowage. Award of damages was resisted on the ground that the bills of lading provided for adjustment of claims "on the basis of the invoice value of the entire shipment adding expenses necessarily incurred," and that because of favorable market conditions existing at destination the entire value of the sound cherries exceeded the invoice value. Held, the quoted clause was not a genuine limitation agreement, which is valid, but a "true valuation" clause, which, since it may wholly exonerate the carrier from liability for negligence, …


Carriers -Airplanes - Right To Limit Liability By Contract Mar 1934

Carriers -Airplanes - Right To Limit Liability By Contract

Michigan Law Review

Defendant corporation conducted a regular airplane passenger service between Miami and Tampa, Florida. Deceased purchased an ordinary passenger ticket at the regular price and, in the course of the trip, was killed due to the negligence of defendant's pilot. There was a stipulation in the ticket which all passengers were required to sign that "the company's liability is limited to $10,000." Wife of deceased sued for the negligent death and recovered a judgment in excess of $10,000. Held, that defendant was a common carrier, and, therefore, could not compel a passenger to release it of its legal liability. Curtis-Wright …


Carriers - Statutory Limitation Of Liability - Degrees Of Care Feb 1934

Carriers - Statutory Limitation Of Liability - Degrees Of Care

Michigan Law Review

When the decedents attempted to drive from the petitioner's ferry boat, the chain holding the boat to the dock parted and the truck in which they were riding was precipitated into the river, drowning the occupants. In a proceeding in admiralty against the administrator of the deceased persons, under the statute limiting the liability of shipowners, the court held that the statute limiting liability applies only when the owner of the vessel is sought to be made liable for the fault of a servant or agent, and that the duty to provide a seaworthy vessel is a non-delegable one which …


Constitutional Law - Interstate Commerce - Motor Carrier Operating Within - Single State As A Link In Interstate Transportation, Paul G. Kauper Dec 1933

Constitutional Law - Interstate Commerce - Motor Carrier Operating Within - Single State As A Link In Interstate Transportation, Paul G. Kauper

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff was engaged in business as a common carrier of goods by motor vehicle. He transported goods between the docks of Los Angeles harbor and points in and around Los Angeles, but all the goods which he carried were originally shipped in from or were consigned to destinations outside the State. His operations, however, were independent of the operations of connecting carriers. The California Railroad Commission ordered the plaintiff to cease operations until he secured a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Held, on review, that the plaintiff was engaged in interstate commerce, and that the Commission's order …


Constitutional Law - Due Process - Regulation Of The Business Of The Contract Motor Carrier Jan 1933

Constitutional Law - Due Process - Regulation Of The Business Of The Contract Motor Carrier

Michigan Law Review

Much of the doubt and uncertainty concerning the power of the States to regulate the contract motor carrier has been dispelled by the recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Stephenson et al. v. Binford et al. A Texas statute specifically defined the two categories of common and contract carriers for hire and undertook to regulate the business of each through the agency of the State Railroad Commission; the statute required contract carriers to secure "permits" which were to be granted by the commission only after a hearing and not if the …


Carriers - Ferries - Liability For Automobile Lost In Transit Feb 1932

Carriers - Ferries - Liability For Automobile Lost In Transit

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff purchased a ticket for passage on the defendant's ferry and drove his car aboard. During transit, and through no negligence on the part of the defendant, the boat ran upon a stone piling and sank. Held, that the defendant, although a common carrier, had not received and accepted the automobile, and therefore was not subject to insurer's liability. Mercer v. Christiana Ferry Co. (Del. 1930) 155 Atl. 596.


Public Utilities-Power Of Commissoin To Change Rates Set In Franchise Granted By Legislature Feb 1931

Public Utilities-Power Of Commissoin To Change Rates Set In Franchise Granted By Legislature

Michigan Law Review

The Dry Dock Company was given franchises by the legislature to operate street railways in New York City, by Laws 1860, c. 512, and Laws 1866, cc. 866, 868, 883. These special laws fixed a five-cent maximum fare. Much later, the Public Service Commission Law (Cons. laws, c. 48) was enacted. Sec. 29 of this provided that, "unless the commission otherwise orders, no change shall be made in any rate * * * which shall have been filed and published by a common carrier * * * except after 30 days' notice to the commission * * * and all …


Recent Important Decisions Apr 1928

Recent Important Decisions

Michigan Law Review

A collection of recent important court decisions.


Carriers-Statute Of Limitations For Bringing Suit For Injury To Goods Dec 1927

Carriers-Statute Of Limitations For Bringing Suit For Injury To Goods

Michigan Law Review

A recent case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States suggests the query-ls there a federal statute of limitations for bringing suit for injury to goods in an interstate shipment? The answer depends on the interpretation of the Cummins Amendment of March 4, 1915 and the Transportation Act of 1920. The relevant and germane provision of these acts as to the time limit for commencing suit for injury to goods on an interstate carriage is "That it shall be unlawful for any such common carrier to provide by rule, contract, or regulation a shorter period for giving notice …


Passenger Tickets As Contracts, Edwin C. Goddard Nov 1926

Passenger Tickets As Contracts, Edwin C. Goddard

Michigan Law Review

The most important right of the common carrier of passengers is his right to compensation. He carries for hire. This compensation he ordinarily collects by selling to the prospective passenger a ticket. Of these tickets there are many varieties, from the simple rectangular bit of cardboard, with the printed statement that it is good for one ride from X to Y, to the long coupon ticket, with elaborate provisions in fine print, providing for the passenger knows not what. What is the legal character of this ticket?


Shipping Act Of 1916: The Effect Of Section 15 On The Sherman Anti-Trust Law, Claude A. Thompson Dec 1923

Shipping Act Of 1916: The Effect Of Section 15 On The Sherman Anti-Trust Law, Claude A. Thompson

Michigan Law Review

Does the approval of a conference agreement by the Shipping Board under section 15 of the Shipping Act of 1916 legalize an agreement, which, but for such approval, would be in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Law?


Limitation As To The Amount Of Liability For Loss Of Goods By Carriers, Edwin C. Goddard Jan 1915

Limitation As To The Amount Of Liability For Loss Of Goods By Carriers, Edwin C. Goddard

Articles

A carload of automobiles was shipped by express, under an express receipt limiting recovery to $50, unless a greater value was named and a greater carrying charge paid. The shipper knew of this stipulation, and deliberately chose the restricted liability so as to secure the lower rate. On a suit for loss of the automobiles, recovery was limited to $50. Geo. N. Pierce Co. v. Wells Fargo & Co., 189 Fed. 561, commented on in 10 MICH. L. REB. 317. The United States Supreme Court has just affirmed this decision, 35 Sup. Ct. 351.


The Liability Of The Common Carrier As Determined By The Recent Decisions Of The United States Supreme Court, Edwin C. Goddard Jan 1915

The Liability Of The Common Carrier As Determined By The Recent Decisions Of The United States Supreme Court, Edwin C. Goddard

Articles

An understanding of the present day liability of the common carrier under conditions as they exist, especially in interstate shipments, is best reached by an historical journey from the early decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States to the end of the year just past.


The Commodity Clause Of The Hepburn Act, Edwin C. Goddard Jan 1915

The Commodity Clause Of The Hepburn Act, Edwin C. Goddard

Articles

The Supreme Court of the United States has added another to the interesting line of cases construing the so-called "Commodity Clause" of the HEPBURN ACT of 1906. In United States v. Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Co. and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Coal Co., decided on June 21, 1915, 35 Sup. Ct. 873, the court reversed the decree of the District Court as reported in 213 Fed. 240, and found the relation and contract between the Railroad Company and the Coal Company to be in violation of the HEPBURN ACT and the SHERMAN ACT.


Limitation Of The Amount Of The Common Carrier's Liability, Edwin C. Goddard Jan 1911

Limitation Of The Amount Of The Common Carrier's Liability, Edwin C. Goddard

Articles

When the case of Railroad v. Lockwood, 17 Wall. (U. S.) 357, settled the law that the common carrier can not contract against liability for losses due to his negligence, it did not put an end to the efforts of common carriers to escape liability for losses so arising.


Limitation Of A Carrier's Liability For Negligence, Edson R. Sunderland Jan 1910

Limitation Of A Carrier's Liability For Negligence, Edson R. Sunderland

Articles

Limitation of a Carrier's Liability for Negligence.-This is one of the subjects which never seems to be set at rest. In making contracts, shipper and carrier do not stand upon an equality. The shipper cannot exist without the aid of the carrier, but the carrier can easily forego the business of any particular shipper. Hence the ordinary rules of contract fail in many respects to meet the demands of the situation. To properly define the limitations necessary to be placed upon these rules is not an easy task.


The Degree Of Care Required In The Operation Of A Scenic Railway, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1910

The Degree Of Care Required In The Operation Of A Scenic Railway, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

The case of O'Callaghan v. Dellwood Park Co., - Ill. -, 89 N. E. 1005. decided by the supreme court of Illinois, October 26, 1909, is of interest because of the holding of owners and operators of scenic railways to the same high degree of care required of railroads and common carriers of passengers in general. The action was in case for the recovery of damages for injuries suffered by the plaintiff by reason of having been thrown out of a car on defendant's scenic railway. The plaintiff had paid the usual charge for the ride and was, at the …


Growth Of The Power Of Contract In The History Of The Liability Of Common Carriers, Hugh Evander Willis Jan 1905

Growth Of The Power Of Contract In The History Of The Liability Of Common Carriers, Hugh Evander Willis

Articles by Maurer Faculty

No abstract provided.


Outlines Of The Law Of Bailments And Carriers, Edwin C. Goddard Jan 1904

Outlines Of The Law Of Bailments And Carriers, Edwin C. Goddard

Books

The Outlines of Bailments and Carriers form part of a complete work on that subject intended for the use of classes in law schools. The other part, which is nearly ready for publication, consists of select cases illustrating and amplifying principles stated in the Outlines. It is the purpose of the Outlines not only to state the foundation principles of the subject, but to put these in orderly and consecutive form in order that the student may have an opportunity to see the subject as a whole. It is believed that any study of the cases without some such connected …


Report Of Messrs. Thurman, Washburne, & Cooley, Constituting An Advisory Committee On Differential Rates By Railroads Between The West And The Seaboard., Allen G. Thurman, E. B. Washburne, Thomas M. Cooley Dec 1881

Report Of Messrs. Thurman, Washburne, & Cooley, Constituting An Advisory Committee On Differential Rates By Railroads Between The West And The Seaboard., Allen G. Thurman, E. B. Washburne, Thomas M. Cooley

Books

In January, 1882, the undersigned were notified that they had been selected by the New.York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company, W. H. Vanderbilt, P1·esident; the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company, H. J. Jewett, President; the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, G. B. Roberts, President, and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, John W. Garrett, President, to act as an Advisory Commission upon " the differences in rates that should exist, both eastwardly and westwardly, upon all classes of freights between the several terminal Atlantic ports," and to report upon the same.