Opinion ID: 2408552
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Hipps's Motion for Summary Judgment

Text: We turn next to Sublett's contention that summary judgment in favor of Hipps was also error. In order to establish a prima facie case of negligence, a plaintiff must prove that he sustained damages; that the defendant was negligent; and that such negligence was a proximate cause of the damages. Anselmo v. Tuck, 325 Ark. 211, 924 S.W.2d 798 (1996); Mason v. Jackson, 323 Ark. 252, 914 S.W.2d 728 (1996); Morehart v. Dillard Dep't Stores, 322 Ark. 290, 908 S.W.2d 331 (1995). In support of her motion for summary judgment, Hipps attached portions of Sublett's deposition. In that deposition, Sublett made the following relevant admissions: (1) that appellee Hipps did not cut her off, although traffic ahead was already stopped; (2) that there were approximately 50 feet between their vehicles when Hipps entered her lane; (3) that she had already applied her brakes when Hipps signaled to enter her lane; (4) that she briefly took her foot off the brake pedal to contemplate a maneuver into the next lane but did not attempt to do so; (5) that she subsequently applied more pressure to the brakes and began sliding on the wet pavement; (6) that there was adequate space for appellee Hipps's vehicle to pull into her lane; and (7) that she was not aware of anything Hipps did wrong. Hipps contends that Sublett's version of the events as set out in her deposition presents no genuine issue of material fact and directly refutes a number of the allegations in her complaint. Hipps further contends that the deposition testimony, especially Sublett's final admission, reflects that Sublett was the sole proximate cause of her own accident. We agree. Again, Sublett responds as she did in the trial court that the conditions on the road and the statute on lane changes present a fact question. She cites this court to AMI Civ.3d 903 (Violation of Statute or Ordinance as Evidence of Negligence), and Ark. Code Ann. § 27-51-302(1) (Repl.1994), which provides: A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until the driver has first ascertained that movement can be made with safety[.] Id. She maintains that, given the circumstances, an issue of fact exists as to whether Hipps made the lane change with safety when only 50 feet of space separated the two vehicles. We are aware, as we have already stated, that in reviewing a grant of summary judgment, we must consider the evidence in the light most favorable to Sublett. However, road conditions in and of themselves do not constitute negligence. The issue, rather, is how people perform under those conditions. Sublett admits that Hipps did not cut her off when she changed lanes and further that Hipps did nothing wrong. These drastic admissions, which contradict her complaint, not only fail to create a genuine issue of material fact under Ark. R. Civ. P. 56(c), but they appear to concede lack of fault on Hipps's part. We have affirmed grants of summary judgment in the past when the plaintiff/appellant makes a pivotal admission that goes to the heart of the case. See, e.g., Bushong v. Garman Co., 311 Ark. 228, 843 S.W.2d 807 (1992); King v. Jackson, 302 Ark. 540, 790 S.W.2d 904 (1990). This is such a case. We affirm this facet of the trial court's order as well due to Sublett's failure to meet proof with proof. Milam v. Bank of Cabot, supra . Affirmed.