ÿWPCÄ t§]mI„ 7ë‘ ¹µãª•2¸+¶xT‡(y\6‡á R›o$%IÏØQ½Õ/ýœÕµ.Þ\1šîŠåð F)ƒBeÜcçìÝkýæšÅ«ípÏ TÔ%Ä8«f‰K§NuÝÖò!NÔD²“†ŠER¹¼7cke†4X”8 sJ¶’}Ë]ŸìòH£ñ‚Έ ’–Zm §iˆ§. LÐ)à„Ÿ€Ì¤±D“–Žd»´sX?Á`ì)l#vÍï?äõ(w«0ý:äÝâSÑѳ° #˜!Ö-™¿°þ¨âz2¹‰JžÈ¼/,†¨×9½­½™Ëàx3•iv1øf¢Ã[ÀPØ5 ãùnÙÚô©)PPuà1÷ƒt5w÷ò¨7š9×å]@VÌþœ1T2G<¥È†·„ßÒqö^´5ƕޞHí›D½Xû¶É¦M$emv>LžOBèß:·Ä±Ðû]ŠTIÅþn¢d|«³–Hà`gÕÿçÎ`UGìì{FF|eA1dºL‡ô“é5•0ÌÛ'LÁSQßáÈÎþ®?¬±Vlm2­B=fH ­D—ïÖá9ÀYèxa¬“iу¸%…õï£Uqè{z¸gÚ†+×/3Ì· ’Hw %‚U@ˆ 0ˆÈU-NP UNž U :ì U>& zd ÒÞ ^ ° w¼ 4À Ô Æã Æ© Æo Æ5ûNý mÿ#ÁE××××××××××××××××××××××××bÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙ 0`áááááááá 0ëAAAA B,, 0¤I D3í D-  0KMM AS˜Æë 0¤± 0DU A«™™™™™™™™™™™™™ D T d t „ ”” ¤ ´»(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regularô\  `‹&Times New Roman ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt|…Y) sM)øž§3|xLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0- ù-(ÿÿ&H6ò òÔ‡Ôó óÔ‡XXXÔ(|G2>õ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¥»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô½-ò»»Ô d(|3?u$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¥»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3?u$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¥»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÿÿ2AAA3ÿÿ2AAA4ÿÿ2AAA5ÿÿ2AAA6ÿÿ2AAA7ÿÿ2AAA8ÿÿ2AAA9ÿÿ2AAAAÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€•»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑÀ°ÑÑ8°ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼•»»»ÔÑ8€X‰XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î„•ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ 8 Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼•»îî„(#ԈР^& ÐÓ  Ó€July€11,€2000€SessionÐ „L ÐÔ‡XX‰X»¼•ÔÌò òÔ#†¼•»XXX‰#ÔROBERT€E.€BENNETT,€òòet€ux.óó€v.€PUTNAM€COUNTY,€TENNESSEEòòóóÔ‡XX‰X»¼•Ôó óÐ ‚J ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òA€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Putnam€CountyÐ ‚ J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€NJ„5934€€€€€€The€Honorable€John€A.€Ô_ÔTurnbullÔ_Ô,€JudgeÐ n 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<1` AßÐ 2ú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M1999„00716„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€October€12,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ÔÐ -õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓšÔ#†¼•»XXX‰–#ÔÔ‡XX‰X»¼•ÔThis€appeal€arises€from€a€collision€involving€a€Putnam€County€ambulance€parked€at€the€site€of€aÐ È  Ðprevious€automobile€accident.€€Plaintiff,€a€bystander€who€stopped€to€assist€the€motorist€in€the€originalÐ ì´ Ðaccident,€was€severely€injured€when€he€was€pinned€between€the€parked€ambulance€and€anÐ Ø  Ðapproaching€vehicle.€€Plaintiff€filed€suit€against€the€County,€alleging€that€the€paramedics€whoÐ ÄŒ Ðresponded€to€the€original€accident€were€negligent€in€their€placement€of€the€ambulance€and€in€failingÐ °x Ðto€control€the€accident€scene€pending€the€arrival€of€law€enforcement€personnel.€€Plaintiff€also€allegedÐ œd Ðnegligenceòò€per€se€óóbased€upon€the€ambulance€driverððs€violation€of€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€55„8„158.€€òòóóÔ#†¼•»XXX‰<#ÔÔ‡¼•»»¼•ÔÔ‡XX‰X»¼•ÔThe€circuitÐ ˆP Ðcourt€under€doctrine€of€comparative€negligence€allocated€ten€percent€fault€to€county€based€onÐ t< Ðcommon€law€negligence€and€negligence€òòper€seóó€for€violation€of€statute.€€County€appeals.šÔ#†XX‰XXXX‰É#ÔÔ#†¼•»XXX‰è#ÔÔ‡XX‰X»¼•ÔÐ `( ÐÌÓ Óò òÔ_ÔTenn.R.App.P.Ô_Ô€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€is€Vacated€andÐ 8 ÐRemandedó óÐ $ì ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼•»àXX‰< #ÔÔ‡XX‰X.¼•ÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.€Ô_ÔHighersÔ_Ô,Ð üÄ ÐJ.óó€and€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð è° ÐÌE.€Jerome€Ô_ÔMelsonÔ_Ô;€Robert€H.€Watson,€Jr.;€Nathan€D.€Ô_ÔRowellÔ_Ô,€Knoxville,€for€Appellant,€PutnamÐ À ˆ  ÐCounty,€TennesseeÐ ¬!t! ÐÌJon€E.€Jones;€Gwen€D.€Jones,€Ô_ÔCookevilleÔ_Ô,€For€Appellees,€Robert€E.€Bennett€and€Helen€BennettÐ „#L# ÐÓ. ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼•»XXX‰] #ÔÔ‡XX‰X»¼•ÔÐ \%$!% ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼•»XXX‰ý #ÔÓ  ÓÔ‡XX‰X»¼•Ôà  àThis€is€a€governmental€tort€liability€case€arising€out€of€a€collision€between€a€passingÐ 4'ü"' Ðautomobile€and€an€ambulance€parked€at€the€scene€of€an€automobile€accident.€€Defendant€PutnamÐ  (è#( ÐCounty€appeals€from€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€awarding€Plaintiffs€Robert€E.€Bennett€and€hisÐ  )Ô$) Ðwife,€Helen€Bennett,€damages€for€personal€injuries€Mr.€Bennett€sustained€in€the€crash.Ð ø)À%* ÐÌà  àOn€October€6,€1995,€Plaintiffs€filed€suit€against€Putnam€County€and€the€Putnam€CountyÐ Ð+˜', ÐAmbulance€Service€for€personal€injuries€Robert€Bennett€sustained€on€October€7,€1994€resulting€fromÐ ¼,„(- Ða€collision€between€a€passing€automobile€and€a€parked€ambulance.€€The€trial€court€dismissed€PutnamÐ ¨-p). ÐCounty€Ambulance€service€as€a€non„Ô_ÔsuableÔ_Ô€entity€on€March€7,€1996,€based€upon€its€status€as€aÐ ”.\*/ý Ðdivision€of€Putnam€County.€€After€a€non„jury€trial€in€September,€1999,€the€court€assessed€damagesÐ 8 Ðfor€Plaintiff,€Robert€Bennett,€at€$5,069,368.00,€and€damages€for€Plaintiff,€Helen€Bennett,€atÐ $ì Ð$600,000.00.€€The€court€attributed€10%€of€those€damages€to€Defendant,€25%€to€Helen€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô,Ð Ø Ðthe€driver€of€the€automobile€involved€in€the€one„car€accident€to€which€the€ambulance€wasÐ üÄ Ðresponding,€60%€to€Joan€Ô_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_Ô,€the€driver€of€the€vehicle€which€struck€and€injured€Mr.Ð è° ÐBennett,€and€5%€to€Mr.€Bennettððs€wife,€Helen.€€The€trial€court€found€that€the€statutory€cap€ofÐ Ôœ Ð$130,000.00€under€the€Tennessee€Government€Tort€Liability€Act€applied,€and€awarded€PlaintiffÐ À ˆ ÐRobert€Bennett€$130,000.00€and€Plaintiff€Helen€Bennett€$60,000.00.€€The€Ô_ÔBennettsÔ_Ô€had€previouslyÐ ¬ t Ðreceived€settlements€from€Ms.€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô€and€Ms.€Ô_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_Ô.€€Defendant€has€appealed.Ð ˜ ` ÐÌà  àA€review€of€the€record€reveals€the€following€pertinent€facts:€€At€approximately€7:30€p.m.€onÐ p 8  Ðthe€evening€of€October7,1994,€Plaintiffs€were€driving€east€on€Ditty€Road,€a€two„lane,€paved€roadÐ \$  Ðin€Putnam€County.€€After€cresting€a€hill,€they€spotted€an€overturned€vehicle€beside€the€westboundÐ H  Ðlane€of€traffic.€€A€Ô_ÔCookevilleÔ_Ô€resident,€Helen€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô,€had€lost€control€of€her€1993€Jeep€WranglerÐ 4ü  Ðwhile€traveling€east€on€Ditty€Road.€€After€crossing€the€road,€Ms.€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ôððs€jeep€had€come€to€restÐ  è  Ðbeside€the€westbound€lane€and€down€the€hill.€€Evidence€at€trial€established€that€Ms.€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô€hadÐ  Ô  Ðbeen€drinking€with€friends€earlier€that€night€and€that€alcohol€consumption€was€a€factor€in€her€losingÐ øÀ Ðcontrol€of€her€vehicle.€€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Bennett€parked€their€automobile€with€its€blinkers€activated€pastÐ ä¬ Ðthe€overturned€vehicle€at€the€side€of€the€eastbound€lane€with€approximately€one€foot€of€their€car€onРИ Ðthe€roadway.€€They€crossed€the€road€to€assist€Ms.€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô.€€The€record€also€indicates€that€another,Ð ¼„ Ðunidentified€motorist,€also€pulled€over€to€assist€Ms.€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô,€but€left€the€scene€when€heÐ ¨p Ðdetermined€that€Ms.€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô€was€intoxicated,€not€wishing€to€get€ð ðinvolved.ðð€€The€Ô_ÔBennettsÔ_ÔÐ ”\ Ðdecided€to€stay€with€Ms.€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô€until€the€ambulance€arrived.Ð €H ÐÌà  àAt€7:36€p.m.,€paramedics€Matthew€White€and€Lisa€Ô_ÔPhyÔ_Ô,€with€the€Putnam€County€AmbulanceÐ X  ÐService,€radioed€that€they€had€arrived€on€the€scene.€€White,€the€driver€proceeding€eastwardly,€droveÐ D  Ðpast€the€overturned€vehicle€and€parked€the€ambulance€in€the€westbound€lane€of€traffic€with€its€frontÐ 0ø Ðend€pointing€east€in€order€to€block€westbound€traffic,€leaving€the€ambulanceððs€emergency€lightsÐ ä Ðflashing.€€The€eastbound€lane€of€Ditty€Road€remained€completely€unobstructed.€€When€theÐ Ð Ðparamedics€approached€Ms.€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô,€she€told€them€she€was€not€hurt€and€did€not€wish€to€go€toÐ ô¼ Ðthe€hospital.€€Paramedic€White€then€returned€to€the€ambulance€to€obtain€a€waiver€form€Ms.РਠÐÔ_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô€was€required€to€sign€in€order€to€decline€treatment.€€At€that€time,€Mrs.€Bennett€returned€Ð Ì ” Ðto€the€coupleððs€car€parked€across€the€road€and€east€of€the€ambulance.Ð ¸!€  ÐÌà  àAfter€Paramedic€White€retrieved€the€waiver€form€from€the€ambulance,€Mr.€BennettÐ #X" Ðapproached€White€at€the€rear€of€the€ambulance€and€asked€White€to€persuade€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô€to€acceptÐ |$D # Ðmedical€treatment.€€It€was€at€this€moment€that€Ms.€Ô_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_Ô€crested€the€small€hill€approachingÐ h%0!$ Ðthe€accident€scene.€€Ô_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_Ô€claims€she€slowed€down€before€she€reached€the€top€of€the€hill,€andÐ T&"% Ðthat€her€speed€when€she€first€became€aware€of€the€ambulanceððs€flashing€lights€was€about€40€milesÐ @'#& Ðper€hour,€5€miles€an€hour€under€the€posted€speed€limit.€€Ô_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_Ô€testified€that€she€rememberedÐ ,(ô#' Ðseeing€headlights,€people€walking€around€at€the€scene,€and€police€warning€lights€off€in€the€distance.€Ð )à$( ЀAs€she€crested€the€hill,€Ô_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_Ô€lost€control€of€her€vehicle,€crossed€the€center€line€of€Ditty€Ð *Ì%) ÐRoad,€and€struck€Mr.€Bennett€and€the€rear€of€the€ambulance,€pinning€Mr.€Bennett€between€her€carÐ ð*¸&* Ðand€the€ambulance.€€The€parties€dispute€whether€Ô_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_Ô€panicked€or€simply€did€not€have€timeÐ Ü+¤'+ Ðto€stop.€€Paramedic€Ô_ÔPhyÔ_Ô,€who€was€examining€Ô_ÔSmallwoodÔ_Ô€at€the€time€of€impact,€immediately€ran€toÐ È,(, Ðthe€ambulance€while€radioing€for€help.€€Ambulance€service€records€indicate€this€call€for€help€wasÐ 8 Ðreceived€at€7:38,€only€two€minutes€after€the€ambulance€had€arrived€on€the€scene.€€Mr.€BennettÐ $ì Ðsuffered€severe€trauma€to€his€back€and€legs€resulting€in€two€above„the„knee€amputations.€€TheÐ Ø Ðinjuries€€left€him€partially€paralyzed€and€in€need€of€constant€care.Ð üÄ ÐÌà  àAs€noted€above,€the€trial€court€allocated€10%€fault€to€the€appellant,€Putnam€County.€Ð Ôœ ÐAppellant€appeals€and€presents€three€issues€for€review,€as€stated€in€its€brief:Ð À ˆ ÐÌà8  à(1)€€Whether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€finding€negligence€and/or€negligence€òòper€seóóÐ ˜ ` Ðagainst€Putnam€County.Є L Ð Ð  ÐÌÓÓÓÓà8  à(2)€€Whether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€finding€that€Putnam€County€was€not€immuneÐ \$  Ðpursuant€to€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€29„20„205.Ó¾+ÓÐH Ð Ð  ÐÓÓà8  à(3)€€Whether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€allocating€the€percentage€of€comparative€faultÐ  è  Ðamong€the€parties.Ð Ô Ð Ð  ÐÓ·,ÓÓÛ*ÓÌÓ…-ÓÓÓWe€will€consider€the€first€and€third€issues€together.€€As€will€become€clear€later€in€this€opinion,€theÐ ä¬ Ðsecond€issue€is€Ô_ÔpretermittedÔ_Ô.РИ ÐÌà  àSince€this€case€was€tried€by€the€court€sitting€without€a€jury,€we€review€the€case€ò òòòde€novoóóó ó€uponÐ ¨p Ðthe€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court.€€Unless€theÐ ”\ Ðevidence€preponderates€against€the€findings,€we€must€affirm,€absent€error€of€law.€€Ô‡XX‰XXXX‰ÔTenn.€R.€App.€P.Ô#†XX‰XXXX‰é/#ÔÐ €H Ð13(d).Ð l4 ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€Putnam€County€paramedics€were€negligent€in€their€positioning€ofÐ D  Ðthe€ambulance€at€the€accident€scene,€and€that,€because€the€paramedics€turned€off€their€siren€uponÐ 0ø Ðparking€the€ambulance,€Defendant€violated€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€55„8„158.€€Plaintiffs€assert€that€the€paramedicððsÐ ä Ðplacement€of€the€ambulance€was€negligent€in€that€the€ambulanceððs€position€created€an€additionalÐ Ð Ðhazard€to€the€public.€€Plaintiffs€suggest€that€the€paramedics€had€several€other€options€for€placementÐ ô¼ Ðof€the€vehicle,€including€parking€it€at€the€top€of€the€hill€or€parking€it€entirely€off€the€roadway.€Ð ਠÐAlternatively,€Plaintiffs€suggest€that,€had€the€paramedics€placed€flares€or€warning€triangles€in€frontÐ Ì ” Ðof€the€vehicle,€or€sent€a€bystander€up€to€the€top€of€the€hill€with€a€flashlight€to€direct€traffic,€this€tragicÐ ¸!€  Ðaccident€could€have€been€avoided.€€Ð ¤"l! ÐÌà  àPlaintiffs€argue€that€the€ambulance€crew€violated€the€standard€of€care€by€failing€to€protectÐ |$D # Ðthe€scene€from€traffic€cresting€the€hill€pending€the€arrival€of€the€police€and€that€the€ambulance€crewÐ h%0!$ Ðgave€patient€assessment€priority€over€scene€safety.€€On€the€other€hand,€Defendant€asserts€that€theÐ T&"% Ðambulance€crew€complied€with€the€standard€of€care€by€parking€the€ambulance€in€the€westbound€laneÐ @'#& Ðand€protecting€the€accident€scene€from€oncoming€traffic.€€Defendant€presented€testimony€from€theÐ ,(ô#' Ðhead€of€the€Putnam€County€Ambulance€Service,€Randy€Porter,€who€is€a€member€of€the€Stateððs€BoardÐ )à$( Ðof€Emergency€Medical€Services.€€Mr.€Porter€testified€that€the€ambulance€crew€should€always€parkÐ *Ì%) Ðthe€ambulance€in€front€of€the€accident€so€as€to€block€oncoming€traffic,€and€that€in€his€opinion€theÐ ð*¸&* Ðambulance€crew€in€this€instance€complied€with€the€standards€governing€the€placement€of€anÐ Ü+¤'+ Ðambulance€at€the€accident€scene.€€It€appears€the€trial€court€found€the€paramedics€guilty€of€negligenceÐ È,(, Ðby€parking€their€vehicle€in€the€westbound€lane€without€any€notice€to€traffic€approaching€in€theÐ 8 Ðeastbound€lane.€€However,€primarily€the€trial€court€relied€upon€the€violation€of€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€Ô‡XÅË XXXX‰ÔððÔ#†XX‰X XXÅË.:#Ô€55„8„158Ð $ì Ð(1998)€which€provides:Ð Ø ÐÌò òÔ% ‡n Ôó óÔ‡XX‰XXXX‰ÔÔ& + ÔÝ‚JÿÿÿÝò òÔ€Y XXX‰ÔÔ€Y  YÔÝ  ÝÔS;è°ÔÓ SÓÝ‚Jÿÿÿü:ÝÝ  ÝÔ#†¼•» Yg#ÔÔ‡XX‰X»¼•ÔÔ#†XX‰XXXX‰Ñ:#ÔÔ‡XX‰XXXX‰Ôà8  àà8` Ð Ð à55„8„158.€Stopping,€standing€or€parking€outside€of€business€orÐ ; Ðresidential€districts.€„€Ô%†nÁ:ÔÔ% ‡o ÔÔ'+èð:ÔÔ%†oÃ<ÔÔ% ‡p Ôó ó(a)€Upon€any€highway€outside€of€a€business€orÐ ' ï Ðresidential€district,€no€person€shall€stop,€park,€or€leave€standing€anyÐ  ß Ðvehicle,€whether€attended€or€unattended,€upon€the€paved€or€main„Ð  Ë Ðtraveled€part€of€the€highway€when€it€is€practicable€to€stop,€park€or€soÐ ï · Ðleave€such€vehicle€off€such€part€of€the€highway,€but€in€every€event€anÐ Û £  Ðunobstructed€width€of€the€highway€opposite€a€standing€vehicle€of€notÐ Ç  Ðless€than€eighteen€feet€(18')€shall€be€left€for€the€free€passage€of€otherÐ ³{  Ðvehicles,€and€a€clear€view€of€such€stopped€vehicles€shall€be€availableÐ Ÿg  Ðfrom€a€distance€of€two€hundred€feet€(200')€in€each€direction€upon€suchÐ ‹S  Ðhighway.€Ð w?  ÐÔ%†pô<ÔÔ% ‡q Ô(b)€(1)€This€section€shall€not€apply€to€the€driver€of€any€vehicle€whichÐ c+ Ðis€disabled€while€on€the€paved€or€main„traveled€portion€of€a€highwayÐ O Ðin€such€manner€and€to€such€extent€that€it€is€impossible€to€avoidÐ ; Ðstopping€and€temporarily€leaving€such€disabled€vehicle€in€suchÐ 'ï Ðposition.€Ð Û ÐÔ%†qK@ÔÔ% ‡r Ô(2)€The€provisions€of€this€section€shall€not€apply€to€the€driver€of€anyÐ ÿÇ Ðvehicle€operating€as€a€carrier€of€passengers€for€hire€and€holding€aÐ ë³ Ðcertificate€of€convenience€and€necessity,€or€interstate€permit€issued€byРן Ðthe€department€of€safety€or€any€local€regulatory€transit€authority€ofРË ÐTennessee€authorizing€the€operation€of€such€vehicle€upon€the€roads,Ð ¯w Ðstreets€or€highways€in€Tennessee,€while€taking€passengers€on€suchÐ ›c Ðvehicle,€or€discharging€passengers€therefrom;€provided,€that€in€everyÐ ‡O Ðevent€an€unobstructed€lane€of€travel€of€the€highway€opposite€suchÐ s; Ðstanding€vehicle€shall€be€left€for€free€passage€of€other€vehicles€and€aÐ _' Ðclear€view€of€such€stopped€vehicles€shall€be€available€from€a€distanceÐ K Ðof€two€hundred€feet€(200')€in€either€direction€upon€the€highway.€Ð 7 ÿ ÐÔ%†ræAÔÔ% ‡s Ô(3)€The€provisions€of€this€section€do€not€apply€to€a€solid€waste€vehicleÐ #!ë Ðwhile€on€the€paved€or€improved€main€traveled€portion€of€a€road,€streetÐ "×  Ðor€highway€in€such€manner€and€to€such€extent€as€is€necessary€for€theÐ û"Ã! Ðsole€purpose€of€collecting€municipal€solid€waste,€as€defined€by€ðð€68„Ð ç#¯" Ð211„802;€provided,€that€such€vehicle€shall€maintain€flashing€hazardÐ Ó$› # Ðlights€at€all€times€while€it€is€stopping€or€standing;€and€providedÐ ¿%‡!$ Ðfurther,€that€the€vehicle€is€stopped€so€that€a€clear€view€of€suchÐ «&s"% Ðstopped€vehicle€is€available€from€a€distance€of€two€hundred€feetÐ —'_#& Ð(200')€in€either€direction€upon€the€highway.€In€addition€to€flashingÐ ƒ(K$' Ðhazard€lights,€such€vehicles€shall€be€required€to€maintain€specialÐ o)7%( Ðlights€visible€from€both€the€front€and€the€rear€indicating€that€the€truckÐ [*#&) Ðis€stopped.€The€department€of€safety€is€authorized€to€promulgate€rulesÐ G+'* Ðand€regulations€regarding€special€lighting€required€by€thisÐ 3,û'+ Ðsubdivision.€The€provisions€of€this€subdivision€do€not€preclude€anyÐ -ç(, Ðclaimant€from€pursuing€such€claimant's€common€law€claim€forÐ 8 Ðrecovery€pursuant€to€common€law€negligence.€ò ò݃Jÿÿü:ƒ;ÝŒÐ$ì` x` x ÐŒó óÔ€XX‰XXXX‰ÔÔ€XX‰XXXX‰ÔÝ  ÝÐ ÐÔ%†sÛEÔÔ% ‡u ÔÔ%†uãKÔÔ% ‡v ÔÔ%†vLÔÓ SÓÔ#†XX‰XXXX‰<#Ôà  àThe€trial€court,€in€its€findings,€stated:ò òÐ O ÐÌó óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThis€ambulance€was€parked€within€two€hundred€(200)€feet€of€whereÐ ' ï Ðit€would€be€clearly€visible€from€the€top€of€the€hill,€less€than€nine€(9)Ð  Û Ðfeet€of€roadway€passage,€maybe€nine€and€a€half€(9€ðð)€to€the€oppositeÐ ÿ Ç Ðedge€of€the€road.€€It€certainly€did€not€leave€eighteen€(18)€feet€ofÐ ë ³ Ðpassageway.Ð× Ÿ ` x` x ÐÌà  àAmong€other€things,€Putnam€County€asserts€that€the€above€statute€is€not€applicable€to€theÐ ¯w  Ðexisting€situation€by€virtue€of€T.C.A.€Ô‡XÅË XXXX‰ÔððÔ#†XX‰X XXÅËûN#Ô€55„8„108€(1998),€which€provides€in€pertinent€part:€Ð ›c  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò ò55„8„108.€€Authorized€emergency€vehicles.ó 󀄀(a)€The€driver€of€anÐ s;  Ðauthorized€emergency€vehicle,€when€responding€to€an€emergency€call,Ð c+ Ðor€when€in€the€pursuit€of€an€actual€or€suspected€violator€of€the€law,€orÐ O Ðwhen€responding€to€but€not€upon€returning€from€a€fire€alarm,€mayÐ ; Ðexercise€the€privileges€set€forth€in€this€section,€but€subject€to€theÐ 'ï Ðconditions€herein€stated.ÐÛ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(b)€The€driver€of€an€authorized€emergency€vehicle€may:Ðë³` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Park€or€stand,€irrespective€of€the€provisions€of€this€chapter;Ðן` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€Proceed€past€a€red€or€stop€signal€or€stop€sign,€but€only€afterРË Ðslowing€down€as€may€be€necessary€for€safe€operation;Яw` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)€Exceed€the€speed€limits€so€long€as€life€or€property€is€not€therebyÐ ›c Ðendangered;€andЇO` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(4)€Disregard€regulations€governing€direction€of€movement€or€turningÐ s; Ðin€specified€directions.Ð_'` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(c)€the€exemptions€herein€granted€to€an€authorized€emergency€vehicleÐ 7 ÿ Ðshall€apply€only€when€such€vehicle€is€making€use€of€audible€andÐ #!ë Ðvisual€signals€meeting€the€requirements€of€the€applicable€laws€of€thisÐ "×  Ðstate,€except€that€an€authorized€emergency€vehicle€operating€as€aÐ û"Ã! Ðpolice€vehicle€may€be€equipped€with€or€display€a€red€light€only€inÐ ç#¯" Ðcombination€with€a€blue€light€visible€from€in€front€of€the€vehicle.ÐÓ$› #` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(d)€The€foregoing€provisions€shall€not€relieve€the€driver€of€anÐ «&s"% Ðauthorized€emergency€vehicle€from€the€duty€to€drive€with€due€regardÐ —'_#& Ðfor€the€safety€of€all€persons,€nor€shall€such€provisions€protect€theÐ ƒ(K$' Ðdriver€from€the€consequences€of€the€driverððs€own€reckless€disregardÐ o)7%( Ðfor€the€safety€of€others.Ð[*#&)` x` x Ðâ âÐ G+'* ÐThe€trial€court€found€that€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€Ô‡XÅË XXXX‰ÔððÔ#†XX‰X XXÅËY#Ô€55„8„108€was€not€applicable€to€the€ambulance€in€this€case,Ð 8 Ðbecause€the€proof€is€Ô_ÔuncontrovertedÔ_Ô€that€when€the€ambulance€arrived€at€the€scene,€the€siren€wasÐ $ì Ðturned€off.€€Therefore,€under€paragraph€(c),€the€exemption€does€not€apply.Ð Ø Ðâ âÌò òà  àó ó"[Ô_ÔI]nÔ_Ô€order€for€there€to€be€a€cause€of€action€for€common€law€negligence,€the€followingÐ è° Ðelements€must€be€establishedò ò:ó ó€(1)€a€duty€of€care€owed€by€the€defendant€to€the€plaintiff;€(2)€conductÐ Ôœ Ðfalling€below€the€applicable€standard€of€care€amounting€to€a€breach€of€that€duty;€(3)€an€injury€or€loss;Ð Ä Œ Ð(4)€causation€in€fact;€and€(5)€proximate,€or€legal€cause.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔMcLenahanÔ_Ô€v.€Cooleyó óóó,€806€S.W.2d€767,Ð ° x Ð774€(Tenn.€1991).€€"Causation,€or€cause€in€fact,€means€that€the€injury€or€harm€would€not€haveÐ œ d Ðoccurred€'but€for'€the€defendantððs€negligent€conduct.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔKilpatrickÔ_Ô€v.€Bryantó óóó,€868€S.W.2d€594,€598Ð ˆ P  Ð(Tenn.€1993).Ð t <  ÐÌà  àThe€elements€of€a€negligence€òòper€seóó€claim€are€similar.€€In€ò òòòHarden€v.€Ô_ÔDanekÔ_Ô€Medical,€Inc.ó óóó,Ð L  Ð985€S.W.2d€449€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998),€this€Court€said:Ð 8  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIn€order€to€recover€under€the€theory€of€negligence€per€se,€aÐ Ø  Ðparty€must€establish€three€elements.€€First,€the€defendant€must€haveÐ üÄ Ðviolated€a€statute€or€ordinance€that€imposes€a€duty€or€prohibition€forÐ è° Ðthe€benefit€of€a€person€or€the€public.€€ò òòòMemphis€Street€Railway€Co.€v.Ð Ôœ ÐHaynesó óóó,€112€Tenn.€712,€81€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€374€(1904).€€Second,€the€injuredÐ Àˆ Ðparty€must€be€within€the€class€of€persons€intended€to€benefit€from€orÐ ¬t Ðbe€protected€by€the€statute.€€ò òòòÔ_ÔTraylorÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔCoburnÔ_Ôó óóó,€597€S.W.2d€319Ð ˜` Ð(Tenn.€App.€1980).€€Finally,€the€injured€party€must€show€that€theÐ „L Ðnegligence€was€the€proximate€cause€of€the€injury.€€ò òòòLong€v.€BrooksideÐ p8 ÐManoró óóó,€885€S.W.2d€70€(Tenn.€App.€1994).Ð\$` x` x ÐÌò òòòId.ó óóó€at€452.Ð 4ü ÐÌÓÓà  àIn€ò òòòÔ_ÔKilpatrickÔ_Ô€v.€Bryantó óóó,€ò òòòsupraó óóó,€the€Court€said:Ð  Ô ÐÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àCausation€and€proximate€cause€are€distinct€elements€ofÐ ä¬ Ðnegligence,€and€both€must€be€proven€by€the€plaintiff€by€aÐ Ð ˜ Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence.€€ò òòòBradshawó óóó,€854€S.W.2d€at€869;Ð ¼!„  Ðò òòòÔ_ÔMcClenahanÔ_Ô€v.€Cooleyó óóó,€806€S.W.2d€767,€774€(Tenn.€1991);ò òòò€SmithÐ ¨"p! Ðv.€Goreó óóó,€728€S.W.2d€738,€749€(Tenn.€1987).€€ð ðCausation€(or€cause€inÐ ”#\" Ðfact)€is€a€very€different€concept€from€that€of€proximate€cause.€Ð €$H # ÐCausation€refers€to€the€cause€and€effect€relationship€between€theÐ l%4!$ ÐÔ_ÔtortiousÔ_Ô€conduct€and€the€injury.€€The€doctrine€of€proximate€causeÐ X& "% Ðencompasses€the€whole€panoply€of€rules€that€may€deny€liability€forÐ D' #& Ðotherwise€actionable€causes€of€harm.ðð€€King,€€òòCausation,€Valuation,Ð 0(ø#' Ðand€Chance€in€Personal€Injury€Torts€Involving€Preexisting€InjuriesÐ )ä$( Ðand€Future€Consequencesóó,€90€Yale€Ô_ÔL.J.Ô_Ô€1353,€1355€n.€7€(1981).€Ð *Ð%) ÐThus,€proximate€cause,€or€legal€cause,€concerns€a€determination€ofÐ ô*¼&* Ðwhether€legal€liability€should€be€imposed€where€cause€in€fact€hasÐ à+¨'+ Ðbeen€established.€€ò òòòÔ_ÔMcKellipsÔ_Ô€v.€Saint€Francis€Hosp.,€ó óóó741€P.2d€467Ð Ì,”(, Ð(Okla.€1987).€€ð ðCause€in€fact,€on€the€other€hand,€deals€with€the€ððbutÐ 8 Ðforðð€consequences€of€an€act.€€ððThe€defendantððs€conduct€is€a€cause€ofÐ $ì Ðthe€event€if€the€event€would€not€have€occurred€but€for€that€conduct.ððððÐ Ø Ðò òòòId.ó óóó€at€470€(quoting€Ô_ÔProsserÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔKeetonÔ_Ô,€òòThe€Law€of€Torts€óó266€(5th€ed.Ð üÄ Ð1984)).Ðè°` x` x ÐÌò òòòId.ó óóó€at€598.Ð À ˆ ÐÌà  àIn€the€instant€case,€the€record€indicates€that€at€least€one€other€vehicle€besides€the€Ô_ÔBennettsÔ_ÔððÐ ˜ ` Ðcame€upon€the€accident€scene€from€the€same€direction€as€Ms.€Ô_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_Ô.€€That€vehicle€had€noÐ „ L  Ðdifficulty€in€safely€stopping€to€ascertain€the€condition€of€the€driver€of€the€overturned€vehicle€next€toÐ p 8  Ðthe€westbound€driving€lane.€€Neither€vehicle€had€the€benefit€of€any€warning€lights€or€signs€to€alertÐ \$  Ðthem€to€possible€dangers.€€It€is€Ô_ÔunrefutedÔ_Ô€that€the€ambulance€was€parked€in€the€westbound€lane,€andÐ H  Ðthe€eastbound€lane€was€entirely€unobstructed.€€We€find€it€difficult€to€reason€that€the€ambulanceÐ 4ü  Ðdrivers€could€reasonably€foresee€that€Ms.€Ô_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_ÔÔ#†¼•»XXX‰Å;#ÔÔ‡XX‰X»¼•Ôððs€vehicle€would€leave€its€proper€driving€lane,Ð  è  Ðcross€the€highway€into€opposing€traffic€lanes€and€strike€the€ambulance.€€"The€general€rule€is€thatÐ  Ô  Ðevery€person€has€a€right€to€presume€that€every€other€person€will€do€his€duty€and€obey€the€law."Ð øÀ Ðò òòòÔ_ÔBonahoÔ_Ô€v.€Largeó óóó,€158€S.W.2d€447,€451€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1941).€€It€would€appear€that€the€ambulanceÐ ä¬ Ðdrivers€would€be€justified€in€thinking€that€with€the€unobstructed€eastbound€traffic€lanes,€they€shouldРИ Ðfear€no€vehicle€driving€in€the€eastward€direction.€€An€act€or€omission€will€not€be€considered€aÐ ¼„ Ðproximate€cause€of€an€injury€if€a€reasonable€person€could€not€have€foreseen€or€anticipated€the€injury.€Ð ¨p Ðò òòòÔ_ÔMcClenanhanÔ_Ô€v.€Cooleyó óóó,€806€S.W.2d€767€(Tenn.€1991).Ð ”\ ÐÌà  àPlaintiffsðð€assertions€that€the€ambulance€driver€should€have€taken€some€precautions€at€theÐ l4 Ðcrest€of€the€hill€by€placing€flares€or€other€warning€signals€is€just€not€feasible€under€the€facts€of€thisÐ X  Ðcase.€€It€is€clear€from€the€record€that€the€injuries€to€Mr.€Bennett€occurred€within€about€two€minutesÐ D  Ðof€the€time€that€the€ambulance€arrived€at€the€scene.€€Although€it€is€unclear€as€to€whether€theÐ 0ø Ðambulance€drivers€had€a€duty€to€take€such€action,€especially€immediately€upon€arriving€at€theÐ ä Ðaccident€scene,€there€was€just€not€sufficient€time€to€place€flares.€€They€should€not€be€charged€withÐ Ð Ðnegligence€in€that€regard.Ð ô¼ ÐÌà  àIt€is€difficult€to€see€"cause€in€fact"€as€to€the€actions€of€the€ambulance€attendant.€€From€Ms.Ð Ì ” ÐÔ_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_Ôððs€testimony,€it€would€appear€that€she€simply€did€not€have€her€vehicle€under€properÐ ¸!€  Ðcontrol€and€was€not€devoting€full€time€and€attention€to€the€driving€of€her€vehicle.€€Had€the€ambulanceÐ ¤"l! Ðbeen€all€the€way€off€the€pavement,€it€is€highly€likely€that€Ms.€Brumbalough€would€still,€under€herÐ #X" Ðtestimony,€have€struck€the€vehicle€and€Mr.€Bennett,€if€he€was€unfortunate€enough€to€be€between€theÐ |$D # Ðambulance€and€Ms.€Ô_ÔBrumbaloughÔ_Ô.Ð h%0!$ ÐÌà  àAs€to€the€violation€of€T.C.A.€Ô‡XÅË XXXX‰ÔÔ#†¼¸Z » XXÅË o#ÔÔ‡XÅË X »¼¸ZÔððÔ#†XX‰X XXÅËqy#ÔÔ#†¼•»XXX‰³y#ÔÔ‡XX‰X»¼•Ô€55„8„158€(1995),€the€trial€court€found€that€the€county€couldÐ @'#& Ðnot€rely€upon€the€emergency€vehicle€exemption€because€the€siren€was€not€sounding€while€the€vehicleÐ ,(ô#' Ðwas€stopped€at€the€accident€scene.€€While€technically€the€statute€does€require€the€audible€signal,€itÐ )à$( Ðappears€to€this€Court€that€sounding€the€siren€while€an€ambulance€is€rendering€aid€to€an€injured€personÐ *Ì%) Ðis€not€the€most€beneficial€thing€that€could€be€done€for€those€in€distress.€€At€any€rate,€assuming€aÐ ð*¸&* Ðtechnical€violation€of€the€statute,€it€does€not€follow€that€liability€attaches€unless€it€is€shown€that€thereÐ Ü+¤'+ Ðis€a€causal€connection€between€the€violation€of€the€statute€and€plaintiffððs€injuries.€€Liability€cannotÐ È,(, Ðbe€predicated€upon€the€mere€violation€of€a€statute€or€ordinance€unless€it€appears€that€such€violationÐ 8 Ðwas€the€proximate€cause€of€the€injury.€€ò òòòBiggert€v.€Memphis€Power€and€Light€Co.,€ó óóó168€Tenn.€638,Ð $ì Ð80€S.W.2d€90,€91€(Tenn.€1935).Ð Ø ÐÌà  àAlthough€we€find€it€unlikely€that€the€proof€establishes€that€the€ambulance€attendantððs€conductÐ è° Ðwas€a€cause€in€fact€of€Mr.€Bennettððs€injuries,€we€can€at€least€assume€for€the€purposes€of€argumentÐ Ôœ Ðthat€such€is€the€case€and€then€we€must€determine€whether€the€conduct€constitutes€a€proximate€orÐ À ˆ Ðlegal€cause€of€Mr.€Bennettððs€injuries.€€In€ò òòòGeorge€v.€Alexanderó óóó,€931€S.W.2d€517€(Tenn.€1996),€ourÐ ¬ t ÐSupreme€Court€quoted€with€approval€Prosser€and€Keeton€on€Torts,€stating€in€a€footnote:Ð ˜ ` ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à"Once€it€is€established€that€the€defendantððs€conduct€has€in€fact€beenÐ p 8  Ðone€of€the€causes€of€the€plaintiffððs€injury,€there€remains€the€questionÐ \$  Ðwhether€the€defendant€should€be€held€legally€responsible€for€theÐ H  Ðinjury.€€Unlike€the€òòfact€of€causation,óó€with€which€it€is€often€hopelesslyÐ 4ü  Ðconfused,€òòthis€is€primarily€a€problem€of€law.óó€€It€is€sometimes€said€toÐ  è  Ðdepend€on€whether€the€conduct€has€been€so€significant€and€important€Ð  Ô  Ða€cause€that€the€defendant€should€be€legally€responsible.€€But€bothÐ øÀ Ðsignificance€and€importance€turn€upon€conclusions€in€legal€policy,€soÐ ä¬ Ðthat€they€depend€essentially€on€whether€the€policy€of€the€law€willРИ Ðextend€the€responsibility€for€the€conduct€to€the€consequences€thatÐ ¼„ Ðhave€in€fact€occurred€.€.€.€the€legal€limitation€on€the€scope€of€liabilityÐ ¨p Ðis€[thus]€associated€with€policy€„€with€our€more€or€less€inadequatelyÐ ”\ Ðexpressed€ideas€of€what€justice€demands,€or€of€what€isÐ €H Ðadministratively€possible€and€convenient."Ðl4` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àProsser€and€Keeton€on€Torts,€Ô‡XÅË XXXX‰ÔÔ#†¼¸Z » XXÅËz#ÔÔ‡XÅË X »¼¸ZÔððÔ#†XX‰X XXÅË7†#ÔÔ#†¼•»XXX‰y†#ÔÔ‡XX‰X»¼•Ô€42,€36€(5th€ed.€1984)€(EmphasisÐ D  Ðadded).€€Ð0ø` x` x ÐÌò òòòId.ó óóó€at€521€n.1.Ð Ð ÐÌà  àWhile€the€failure€to€sound€the€siren€technically€prevents€the€ambulance€attendants€fromРਠÐrelying€on€the€exemption€of€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€Ô‡XÅË XXXX‰ÔÔ#†¼¸Z » XXÅËâ†#ÔÔ‡XÅË X »¼¸ZÔððÔ#†XX‰X XXÅËKˆ#ÔÔ#†¼•»XXX‰ˆ#ÔÔ‡XX‰X»¼•Ô€55„8„108,€it€seems€abundantly€clear€that€this€failure€hadÐ Ì ” Ðnothing€to€do€with€the€cause€of€the€accident.€€Simply€stated,€the€ambulance€driver€blocked€theÐ ¸!€  Ðwestbound€lane€to€attend€to€a€purportedly€injured€citizen.€€The€eastbound€lane€was€open€for€trafficÐ ¤"l! Ðtraveling€in€an€eastwardly€direction.€€The€ambulance€attendants€were€protecting€the€distressed€citizenÐ #X" Ðby€blocking€the€westbound€traffic€lane,€and€they€had€a€right€to€presume€that€people€travelingÐ |$D # Ðeastwardly€would€stay€in€their€own€lane€and€not€violate€the€rules€of€road.€€Under€the€facts€in€thisÐ h%0!$ Ðrecord,€we€simply€do€not€find€negligence€on€the€part€of€the€ambulance€attendance,€but€in€any€event,Ð T&"% Ðif€there€were€any€negligence€on€the€part€of€the€attendants€or€a€violation€of€the€statute€on€their€part,Ð @'#& Ðtheir€actions€were€not€the€proximate€cause€of€the€Plaintiffððs€injuries.€€The€evidence€preponderatesÐ ,(ô#' Ðagainst€the€trial€court's€findings€of€negligence€and€proximate€cause.Ð )à$( ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€we€vacate€the€judgment€against€the€appellant,€Putnam€County,€and€theÐ ð*¸&* Ðallocation€of€ten€percent€fault€against€Putnam€County€is€added€to€the€allocation€of€fault€to€theÐ Ü+¤'+ Ðnonparty,€Ms.€Brumbalough.€€The€case€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€such€further€proceedingsÐ È,(, Ðas€may€be€necessary.€€Costs€of€the€appeal€are€assessed€against€the€appellees,€Robert€E.€Bennett€andÐ 8 ÐHelen€Bennett.šÔ#†¼•»XXX‰öˆ#ÔÔ€XX‰X»¼•ÔÐ $ì ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à__________________________________________Ð üÄ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.