Opinion ID: 1875795
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: actual damages trina smith

Text: Employers Mutual contends the verdict on contractual damages was excessive. Although Trina Smith did not appeal the $500.00 damages judgment against her it is presently in issue because the contractual damage award is directly related to the sum of the award against Trina Smith and additionally, it is subject to the appellant's motion for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict and a new trial. The justification for the modest verdict of $500.00 actual damages is revealed by the testimony of Trina Smith and William Tompkins which tellingly portrays the complainant as being contributorily negligent to a great extent. The testimony quoted above reveals the complainant was not looking and consequently did not see the Smith vehicle until he was less than one yard from it a split second before the crash. Although Trina was an unlicensed driver, this had no effect upon the complainant's lack of observation. Notwithstanding that Trina should not have been operating the car as an unlicensed driver and probably used poor judgment in backing across the east bound traffic lane, the uncontradicted evidence remains that she did progress westwardly approximately 136 feet before her automobile was struck from the rear by the complainant's motorcycle. Under this factual situation and the guidance of a contributory negligence instruction, we cannot state the jury's verdict of $500.00 against Trina Smith was erroneous. We are of the opinion the trial court did not err in denying the motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and motion for a new trial as to her.