| Mass. | May 18, 1905
This is an action of tort to recover damages for injuries sustained by the plaintiff in July, 1901, in consequence of an alleged defect in Salem Street, in the defendant city. At
Salem Street is a public way running east and west. At the time of the accident a street railway company was laying a track in the southerly half of the street and only the northerly half was open to travel. The street railway company had made an excavation from the centre of the street to the southerly curb. The excavation was from six inches to three feet deep and extended at least an eighth of a mile. The plaintiff had been over the road once before in the morning of the same day and knew of the existence of the trench. She was an experienced bicycle rider, and at the time of the accident was upon her bicycle going in an easterly direction to her home. She entered upon that part of the street that was open for travel, and after she had proceeded some distance met a team going in the opposite direction and loaded with furniture. She turned to the right to pass the team, being at the time quite near the excavation, and when opposite the horse realized that there was not room to pass on account of the overhanging of the load, and to save herself from being struck was obliged to go so near the line of the excavation that she fell into the excavation and received the injuries complained of. The accident happened at about 2.30 p. M., and at the place where it occurred the northerly half of the street which was open to travel was thirteen feet from the curb to the northerly rail of a street railway track already laid, four feet six inches from that to the other rail, and six inches from that to the edge of the excavation.
Assuming without deciding that in order to render the street reasonably safe and convenient the city was bound to erect a suitable barrier or railing along the line of the excavation, and also assuming that the plaintiff was rightfully upon that part of the street which was open to travel, and that her previous knowledge of the condition of the street was consistent with due care on her part in entering thereon, there was nothing in the circumstances to justify her in entering on her bicycle on that part of the street next or near to the excavation and continuing there till she found herself forced by the approaching team so near the excavation that in turning out she fell into it and received the
Exceptions overruled.