Opinion ID: 1303321
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: directed verdict improper based on kroeger's testimony

Text: As her first assignment of error, Kroeger contends that the trial court erred in directing a verdict in Ford's favor. Kroeger argues that her testimony and the testimony of other witnesses, without the opinion of Dr. Weins, were enough to raise genuine questions of fact that should have been submitted to the jury. At trial, Kroeger testified that in spite of her efforts to control her vehicle, she was unable to do so because the vehicle's steering wheel was inexplicably ripped from her hands while she was driving down 72d Street. All the other witnesses, except Dr. Weins, testified with regard to the events at the accident scene, the repairs conducted by Atchley and McFayden, and the various mechanical failures which may have caused the instant accident. Without Dr. Weins' expert opinion, the cause of the failure of the steering system was based entirely upon circumstantial evidence. According to the testimony of Kroeger's expert witness Burdick, a number of the potential causes of this accident could be attributed to the mechanical repair work performed by Atchley and McFayden. However, the record reflects that Kroeger reached a settlement agreement with Atchley and McFayden. It is established law in Nebraska that settlement with an agent constitutes settlement with the principal, no matter what the parties may have intended. McCurry v. School Dist. of Valley, 242 Neb. 504, 496 N.W.2d 433 (1993). Thus, as to any liability which may have been attributed to Atchley or McFayden, Ford has effectively been released by Kroeger. Circumstantial evidence is not sufficient to sustain a verdict depending solely thereon for support, unless the circumstances proved by the evidence are of such a nature and so related to each other that the conclusion reached by the jury is the only one that can fairly and reasonably be drawn therefrom. Rohde v. Farmers Alliance Mut. Ins. Co., supra . When there is direct evidence sufficient to refute all theories of the cause of damage except the one established solely by circumstantial evidence, there then remains but one inference deducible from the facts under the circumstances, and it is within the province of the trier of fact to make this determination. Id. However, where several inferences are deducible from the facts presented, a plaintiff does not sustain her position by reliance on only the inferences which would entitle her to recover. Anderson v. Farm Bureau Ins. Co., 219 Neb. 1, 360 N.W.2d 488 (1985); Popken v. Farmers Mutual Home Ins. Co., 180 Neb. 250, 142 N.W.2d 309 (1966). A directed verdict is required if more than one conclusion can reasonably be drawn from the circumstantial evidence presented. See Anderson v. Farm Bureau Ins. Co., supra . Clearly, the record in the instant case reasonably supports more than one conclusion as to the cause of Kroeger's accident. Kroeger presented abundant evidence which tended to prove that the crash may have been caused by Atchley's or McFayden's negligence. As a result of the settlement agreement between Kroeger and Atchley and McFayden, Ford cannot be held liable for the negligence of either Atchley or McFayden. Thus, Kroeger failed to provide direct evidence refuting all the potential causes of the accident for which Ford cannot be held liable. The trial court did not err in refusing to submit Kroeger's case to the jury based on the evidence Kroeger presented.