Opinion ID: 1596151
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dunaway's claim for Loss of Use of the truck

Text: The evidence is in sharp conflict as to whether Dunaway abandoned the burned truck, and replaced it by getting a new truck. He did get a new truck after the one involved in this litigation was damaged by fire. But, Dunaway contends that he had ordered two trucks and the damaged truck was just one of the two. To the contrary, Ford Motor Company contends that the truck was a total loss; therefore damages were limited to the difference between value of the truck before the fire, and its value after the fire. Additionally, it contends that damages cannot be had for both total loss of the truck and the loss of use of it. Fuller v. Martin, 41 Ala.App. 160, 125 So.2d 4 (1960). In Hunt v. Ward, 262 Ala. 379, 79 So.2d 20 (1955), this Court stated: The primary rule is generally stated to be that the damage is embraced in the formula that it is the difference in the value of the truck before and after the accident, caused by the accident. If it is so damaged as not to be repairable and had no value after the accident, it would be simply its value at the time of the accident (less its junk value, if any). On this amount interest should be allowed. If it is repairable and the owner sees fit to repair it and while doing so he is deprived of its use and incurs other expense in that connection, he may have the reasonable cost of the parts and labor in making the repairs together with the reasonable cost of transporting it and other incidental cost, if any, and the reasonable value of its use or hire during that time, on the theory that he could have hired one for use during that period: also interest on the total as indicated above. The evidence showed that the value of the truck before the fire was $20,000.00-$22,000.00 value after $3,000.00-$4,000.00. Dunaway testified that the truck was a total loss and so did his driver. But, the evidence also shows that the truck was repaired for $18,299.38. Dunaway, subsequently, transferred it to another person on a lease-purchase agreement for a consideration of $16,000.00. Next, Ford Motor Company, as well as Joe Sartain, argues in brief that even if damages are awarded for loss of use, they should be only for two or three weeks' loss because Dunaway testified that he was using a new truck for work within that period after the fire. This two- or three-week span appears to be an afterthought by Ford and Sartain. They did not raise this point in the motion for new trial. Moreover, there was no motion to remit the damages for excessiveness. We cannot review the trial judge for something not presented to him. We conclude that the trial judge adequately charged the jury on the question of total loss; this was a jury question; it decided against Ford and Joe Sartain; the trial judge overruled their motion for new trial, thereby, strengthening the jury verdict, and it should not be set aside unless palpably wrong. We hold that the verdict should not be disturbed. The judgment under the Extended Manufacturer's Liability Doctrine and the judgment for loss of use are affirmed. AFFIRMED. JONES, ALMON, EMBRY and ADAMS, JJ., concur.