#23706, #23718-aff in pt, rev in pt & rem-JKK
2006 SD 41
IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
* * * *
MARITA STEFFEN, Plaintiff and Appellant,
v.
SCHWAN’S SALES ENTERPRISES,
INC. a/k/a SCHWAN’S HOME
SERVICE, INC., Defendant and Appellee.
* * * *
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
* * * *
HONORABLE WILLIAM J. SRSTKA, JR.
Judge
* * * *
ARLO D. SOMMERVOLD of
Sommervold Law Firm Attorneys for plaintiff
Sioux Falls, South Dakota and appellant.
MELANIE L. CARPENTER of
Woods, Fuller, Shultz & Smith Attorneys for defendant
Sioux Falls, South Dakota and appellee.
* * * *
CONSIDERED ON BRIEFS
ON JANUARY 9, 2006
OPINION FILED 04/19/06
#23706, #23718
KONENKAMP, Justice
[¶1.] Marita Steffen pulled over to the side of the road and stopped to make
way for an approaching emergency vehicle. After it passed, but before she started
moving again, her car was rear-ended by a delivery truck owned by Schwan’s Sales
Enterprises, Inc., and driven by James Koch. At trial, defendant Schwan’s claimed
that Steffen was contributorily negligent because she remained stopped too long
after the emergency vehicle had passed. Over Steffen’s objection, the circuit court
gave the jury a contributory negligence jury instruction. Thereafter, the jury,
through special interrogatories, found Schwan’s to be negligent and Steffen to be
contributorily negligent, but not more than slight. Steffen appeals. We reverse
because, under the circumstances of this rear-end collision, there was insufficient
evidence to justify submitting the issue of contributory negligence to the jury.
Background
[¶2.] On April 21, 2001, Steffen was driving on Cliff Avenue in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota. Cliff Avenue runs north and south and has four lanes, but no
shoulder. While Steffen was proceeding south, she was met by an emergency
vehicle with its lights on and siren sounding. Steffen responded by pulling her
vehicle over and stopping in the far west driving lane. Other cars in front of her did
the same. While the emergency vehicle was passing, Steffen testified that she
looked in her rearview mirror and saw a Schwan’s delivery truck coming towards
her. According to her, the driver was not looking forward, but to the left. Steffen
described how she continued to watch the driver as she was “getting a little freaked
out. I couldn’t go anywhere. There was a car like in front of me and a car in front of
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him that had all pulled over.” Shortly thereafter, Koch’s delivery truck struck
Steffen’s car causing property damage and bodily injuries to Steffen.
[¶3.] Koch testified that he was driving south on Cliff Avenue when the
emergency vehicle approached with its lights on and siren sounding. He, like
Steffen, described how cars were pulling over in the far west lane. But Koch could
not relate exactly whether he slowed down to pull over or actually pulled over and
stopped. He said that during the time he was either stopping or trying to stop, he
looked to his left for the emergency vehicle. According to Koch, he noticed that the
emergency vehicle had passed by him, so he proceeded to move forward. At this
point, he saw that Steffen was still stopped in the driving lane. Koch testified that
he tried to avoid hitting Steffen, but there was a vehicle to his left and a street post
to his right. Because he could not stop in time, he rear-ended Steffen’s car.
[¶4.] At trial Schwan’s asserted that Steffen was contributorily negligent
because Koch testified that Steffen was still stopped even though the emergency
vehicle had passed. Steffen requested a directed verdict on the issue of Koch’s
negligence and the lack of her contributory negligence. The circuit court denied
Steffen’s motions. Moreover, the court allowed, over Steffen’s objection, jury
instructions on contributory and comparative negligence.
[¶5.] Through special interrogatories, the jury found that Koch was
negligent and that his negligence was the legal cause of Steffen’s injuries. The jury
also found that Steffen was contributorily negligent, not more than slight, and
reduced her award accordingly. Ultimately, the jury awarded Steffen $4,250 in
medical care, treatment, and services rendered, and $2,500 for pain and suffering,
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mental anguish, and loss of capacity of the enjoyment of life experienced up to the
date of the verdict. No damages were awarded for a bonus she claimed she lost as a
result of the accident. Steffen later moved for a judgment notwithstanding the
verdict and for a new trial. The court denied her motions and entered a judgment
based on the jury award.
[¶6.] Steffen appeals on the grounds that the circuit court erred when it
denied her motion for a directed verdict and instructed the jury on the issue of
contributing negligence. By notice of review, Schwan’s appeals the denial of its
motion in limine on the question of Steffen’s claimed lost bonus.
Standard of Review
[¶7.] We review the circuit court’s decision to deny a motion for directed
verdict under the abuse of discretion standard. Christenson v. Bergeson, 2004 SD
113, ¶10, 688 NW2d 421, 425 (citing Gilkyson v. Wheelchair Express, Inc., 1998 SD
45, ¶7, 579 NW2d 1, 3 (quoting Bland v. Davison County, 1997 SD 92, ¶26, 566
NW2d 452, 460 (additional citations omitted))).
When reviewing refused motions for a directed verdict, we
examine the evidence in a light most favorable to the nonmoving
party, giving that party the benefit of all reasonable inferences
fairly drawn from the evidence. Denke v. Mamola, 437 NW2d
205, 207 (SD 1989); Kreager v. Blomstrom Oil Co., 379 NW2d
307, 310 (SD 1985); Koupal & Anton, Inc. v. Wieczorek, 375
NW2d 639, 640 (SD 1985). If there is any substantial evidence
to sustain the cause of action or defense, it must be submitted to
the finder of fact. BankWest, Inc. v. Valentine, 451 NW2d 732,
734 (SD 1990); Denke, 437 NW2d at 207.
Robbins v. Buntrock, 1996 SD 84, ¶16, 550 NW2d 422, 427. See also Christenson,
2004 SD 113, ¶¶10-11, 688 NW2d at 425; Kuper v. Lincoln-Union Elec. Co., 1996
SD 145, ¶36, 557 NW2d 748, 759.
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[¶8.] With respect to jury instructions, our standard of review requires us to
construe them as a whole to find “if they provided a full and correct statement of the
law.” First Premier Bank v. Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc., 2004 SD 92, ¶40, 686 NW2d
430, 448 (citations omitted). A party challenging jury instructions has the burden of
establishing that they were both erroneous and prejudicial. Id. (citing State v.
Moschell, 2004 SD 35, ¶54, 677 NW2d 551, 567). “An erroneous instruction is
prejudicial if in all probability it produced some effect upon the verdict and is
harmful to the substantial rights of the party assigning it.” Id. (citing Carpenter v.
City of Belle Fourche, 2000 SD 55, 609 NW2d 751).
Analysis and Decision
[¶9.] We first address whether the circuit court abused its discretion when it
denied Steffen’s motion for a directed verdict on the issue of negligence. Steffen
asserts that she was required to stop for the emergency vehicle, and because she
was legally stopped, Koch was negligent when he rear-ended her car. On reviewing
a motion for a directed verdict, we must determine whether the record contains
sufficient evidence to sustain the action, viewed in the light most favorable to the
nonmoving party. SDCL 15-6-50(a); Christenson, 2004 SD 113, ¶22, 688 NW2d at
427. While other jurisdictions have adopted a presumption of negligence in rear-
end accidents, we have so far declined to do so. Christenson, 2004 SD 113, ¶33, 688
NW2d at 429. “Instead we have required a plaintiff to plead and prove the
negligent conduct of the defendant in a rear-end automobile collision.” Id. “As we
have often recognized, the mere fact an accident happened creates no inference that
it was caused by someone’s negligence.” Carpenter, 2000 SD 55, ¶14, 609 NW2d at
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759 (citing Del Vecchio v. Lund, 293 NW2d 474, 476-77 (SD 1980)). Thus, we
cannot say that the circuit court erred when it denied Steffen’s motion for a directed
verdict.
[¶10.] Steffen next asserts that the circuit court erred when it allowed the
issue of contributory negligence to go to the jury. Accordingly, we must determine if
there was evidentiary support for an instruction on contributory negligence.
Johnson v. Armfield, 2003 SD 134, ¶7, 672 NW2d 478, 481 (citations omitted). “As
long as there is competent evidence to support the theory of contributory negligence,
it is proper for the issue to go to the jury.” Id. ¶10 (citation omitted). Further, we
require a party challenging a jury instruction to show that “in all probability [it]
produced some effect upon the jury’s verdict and [was] harmful to the rights of the
party assigning it.” Christenson, 2004 SD 113, ¶29, 688 NW2d at 428-29 (quoting
Kjerstad v. Ravellette Publ’n, Inc., 517 NW2d 419, 426 (SD 1994) (citation omitted)).
[¶11.] Both parties testified that they were driving south on Cliff Avenue
when they encountered an emergency vehicle going in the opposite direction with its
siren sounding and lights flashing. Cliff Avenue does not have a shoulder for
vehicles to pull on to, so both parties used the far west driving lane. But, then Koch
claims he resumed travel after he looked out to his left and saw that the emergency
vehicle had proceeded past him. Steffen described how she was stopped and noticed
the Schwan’s truck in her rearview mirror coming towards her, but she could not go
anywhere because there were two vehicles in front of her. At some point, Koch
noticed that Steffen was still stopped and tried to avoid hitting her, but rear-ended
her vehicle. The only evidence offered on the issue of contributory negligence came
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from Koch. At best, his testimony is equivocal on whether he ever actually stopped
in response to the emergency vehicle and before striking Steffen’s car. 1
1. The following is the entirety of Koch’s examination bearing on the question of
contributory negligence:
Examination by plaintiff’s counsel:
Q. Okay. As you were driving south on North Cliff, it’s north of
Ninth Street, was there an emergency vehicle coming towards you?
A. It was an ambulance.
Q. Did it have the lights on?
A. Yes.
Q. Was the siren blowing?
A. Yes, I believe so.
Q. Were vehicles in front of you pulling over to the curb and
stopping?
A. Yes.
Q. When did the ambulance meet and pass you before the accident
happened?
A. The ambulance was coming at me.
***
Q. You met the ambulance before the collision occurred?
A. Yes.
Q. And when the ambulance went by, did you look at it?
A. As -- I glanced as it was coming up on me.
Q. Were you slowing down at the time?
A. Yes.
Q. The vehicle in front of you was also slowing down?
A. I believe so, I was looking for the ambulance and trying to pull
over out of the traffic.
Q. I see. Did you look out the window to observe the passing
emergency vehicle?
A. I believe so. I just glanced at it.
Q. Then when you turned your attention back to the road, that is
when you realized you were going to be in an accident?
A. No.
Q. Were you in an accident?
A. Yes.
Q. When you took your attention back to the road, how far were you
from the vehicle with your truck?
A. I don’t remember. No.
(continued . . .)
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[¶12.] “Contributory negligence is negligence on the part of a plaintiff which,
when combined with the negligence of a defendant, contributes as a legal cause in
the bringing about of the injury to the plaintiff.” S.D. Pattern Jury Instruction 11-
01. From our review of the record, we conclude that there was insufficient evidence
of contributory negligence. First, both Steffen and Koch had a legal duty under
SDCL 32-31-6 to pull over and stop when the emergency vehicle approached with its
lights flashing and siren sounding. When Steffen stopped her vehicle in the far
west driving lane, she did so lawfully. Second, Koch admitted he was aware that
____________________________
(. . . continued)
Q. Did the police come to investigate the accident?
A. Yes, they did.
Q. Did the police officer ask you what happened?
A. Yes, he did.
Q. Did you tell him?
A. Yes, I did.
***
A. I believe I told the police officer when I saw the oncoming
vehicle, the ambulance coming by, I slowed down, pulling off of traffic,
I was almost stopped, proceeded to go south on Cliff and then I noticed
that Ms. Steffen was still in the road, not moving and I tried to stop my
vehicle and I couldn’t stop in time.
Examination by defense counsel:
A. When I was driving down the hill I saw an emergency vehicle go
by me. I immediately pulled over and stopped or tried to stop and then
when traffic started to move, I pulled back on the road and proceeded
to move again.
Q. And what happened next?
A. I noticed that Miss Steffen was stopped in the roadway, and I
tried to stop as best I could and there was a vehicle in the left lane and
there was the post on the shoulder, like a street post, so I couldn’t
swerve over there. So I stopped the best I could and I couldn’t quite
stop and ran into Miss Steffen.
Q. When you noticed she was still sitting in the roadway, had the
emergency vehicle already passed by?
(continued . . .)
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the vehicles ahead of him were pulling over and slowing because of the emergency
vehicle. Third, in resuming travel, Koch had a duty to observe all the rules of the
road. Whether the emergency vehicle had in fact proceeded past Koch and Steffen
did not excuse his duties as a driver. It was Koch who made the conscious decision
to resume travel. He knew that a car had been in front of him.
[¶13.] When we examine Steffen’s conduct, we find nothing to support
contributory negligence. It is critical to recap a portion of her testimony:
Q. Wait a minute. How could you see the Schwan’s guy?
A. In my rearview mirror, I was parked, I was looking out and I
saw him and he was not watching the road and the next thing --
Q. Where was he looking?
A. To his left.
Q. Okay. Did you continue to watch him?
A. Yeah. I was getting a little freaked out. I couldn’t go anywhere.
There was a car like in front of me and a car in front of him that had
all pulled over.
Q. Then what happened?
A. He hit me.
Steffen could not have moved forward because there were still two stationary
vehicles in front of her. Koch never contradicted this. He testified generally that
“when traffic started to move” he proceeded, and only then “noticed that Miss
Steffen was still in the road, not moving. . . .”2 Defense counsel argued in closing
that traffic cannot “be stopped indefinitely in the driving lane.” (Emphasis added).
But closing arguments are not evidence. Koch himself gave no testimony on time or
____________________________
(. . . continued)
A. Yes, it was.
2. The generality of the assertion “traffic started to move” cannot obscure
the fact that “traffic” directly in front of Koch was not moving, i.e.,
Steffen’s car.
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distance. In fact, when he was specifically asked how far he was from Steffen’s
vehicle when he turned his attention back to the road after the emergency vehicle
had passed, he responded, “I don’t remember.” It was Koch’s burden to prove
contributory negligence. On this record, his proof was insufficient.
[¶14.] Drivers following other vehicles have a duty to use reasonable care to
so regulate their vehicles as to prevent rear-end collisions. McDonnel v. Lakings, 78
SD 195, 99 NW2d 799, 801 (1959). Indeed, SDCL 32-26-40 provides, in part:
The driver of a motor vehicle may not follow another vehicle
more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard
for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and condition
of the highway.
There were no unexpected road conditions that might excuse Koch’s failure to stop.
See Weber v. Bernard, 349 NW2d 51 (SD 1984). He testified that the road was wet,
but he knew that long before the collision. After lawfully stopping in response to an
emergency vehicle, drivers should not be held contributorily negligent merely
because they fail to resume travel fast enough to avoid being rear-ended.
[¶15.] For the safety of the public and for the absolute enablement of life
saving emergency services, all vehicles are required by law to “immediately” pull
over, “stop,” and “remain in such position . . . until the authorized emergency
vehicle shall have passed.” SDCL 32-31-6. How soon vehicles can resume travel
will depend on a variety of factors, but drivers following behind other vehicles must
remain observant of the vehicles ahead of them. SDCL 32-26-40. We have
expressed doubt before about this Court’s decision in Nichols v. Morkert, 85 SD 384,
182 NW2d 324 (SD 1971). See Weber, 349 NW2d at 54 n1 (Nichols’ result
questionable). In Nichols, a driver lawfully stopped at a traffic light was rear ended
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by another vehicle. 85 SD at 385, 182 NW2d at 324. This Court upheld a jury
verdict of no negligence on the part of the offending driver. Id. at 386, 182 NW2d at
325. But this is a different matter. It is one thing to say that a person rear-ending
another vehicle can be found not negligent in the crash; it is entirely another thing
to hold that a person lawfully stopped can be held contributorily negligent in being
struck from behind. 3 No authority has been cited to us to support such a
proposition. All the cases Koch cites involve rear-end collisions with vehicles
unlawfully and unexpectedly obstructing the road.
[¶16.] The circuit court erred in allowing the issue of contributory negligence
to go to the jury. Steffen was clearly prejudiced by this error. Through special
interrogatories, the jury specifically found her to be contributorily negligent. As a
result, the jury was required to reduce Steffen’s award in relation to her negligence.
SDCL 20-9-2. Because Steffen has established error and prejudice in the court’s
instructions, she is entitled to a new trial.
[¶17.] Finally, we address Schwan’s notice of review issue: whether the court
erroneously allowed Steffen’s claim that she lost bonus wages as a result of this
3. Because the requirement to stop and pull over for emergency vehicles
is absolute, there is some correlation here with rear end collision cases
where automobiles are stopped at traffic signs or signals. Bonica v.
Gracias, 524 P2d 232 (Wash 1974) (where stops can be anticipated,
even abrupt stops, no contributory negligence instruction should be
given); Taylor v. Culpepper, 208 So2d 176 (Miss 1968) (plaintiff driver
rear ended at traffic light – trial court erroneously gave contributory
negligence instruction – judgment reversed). An instruction on
contributory negligence should be limited to instances where the rear
ended driver stopped both unexpectedly and unwarrantedly. Moore v.
Fischer, 505 P2d 383, 386 (ColoApp 1972) (“To constitute contributory
(continued . . .)
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accident. The jury did not award Steffen damages on her lost bonus claim. But
because this issue will likely be raised on retrial, we address it now. See Grajczyk v.
S.D. Bd. of Pardons and Paroles, 1999 SD 149, ¶4 n2, 603 NW2d 508, 510 n2 (citing
Wolff v. Sec’y of S.D. Game, Fish, and Parks Dept., 1996 SD 23, ¶32, 544 NW2d 531,
537).
[¶18.] Before Steffen was permitted to testify about her lost bonus claim, the
circuit court listened to her proposed testimony out of the presence of the jury.
Steffen testified that she had worked for Genex for about two years before the
accident. She further indicated that during those two years she did not receive
bonus wages from Genex. But, she said that this was because Genex was a new
company in South Dakota and she was in the process of building clientele. By the
time she was in the accident, Steffen alleged that she had developed a sufficient
customer base and would have earned bonus wages from Genex. Her injuries
prevented her from being able to handle her case load and she had to hire
additional help. Thus, Steffen argued that her bonus was lost because of the
injuries she sustained in this accident.
[¶19.] The circuit court allowed Steffen to present her claim, over Schwan’s
objection, and we review this evidentiary ruling under the abuse of discretion
standard. See Von Sternberg v. Caffee, 2005 SD 14, ¶13, 692 NW2d 549, 554 (citing
In re Estate of Dokken, 2000 SD 9, ¶39, 604 NW2d 487, 498). On our review of the
____________________________
(. . . continued)
negligence, a sudden stop by a driver of a car struck from the rear
must be both abrupt and unwarranted.”).
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record, we find there was a sufficient basis for allowing this issue to go to the jury
and the circuit court did not abuse its discretion.
[¶20.] Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for a new trial.
[¶21.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and MEIERHENRY, Justice, and
MILLER, Retired Justice, concur.
[¶22.] ZINTER, Justice, concurs in part and dissents in part.
[¶23.] MILLER, Retired Justice, sitting for SABERS, Justice, disqualified.
ZINTER, Justice (concurring in part and dissenting in part).
[¶24.] The Court decides that the issue of contributory negligence should not
have been submitted to the jury. In considering whether there is evidentiary
support for giving a contributory negligence instruction, “a reviewing court must
give the evidence the most favorable construction it will reasonably bear. If there is
some evidence bearing on the issue, a reviewing court will not disturb the trial
court’s giving of an instruction.” Treib v. Kern, 513 NW2d 908, 912 (SD 1994)
(emphasis added) (quoting Howard v. Sanborn, 483 NW2d 796, 797 (SD 1992)
(quoting Gerlach v. Ethan Coop Lumber Ass’n, 478 NW2d 828, 830 (SD 1991)
(quoting Zee v. Assam, 336 NW2d 162, 164 (SD 1983)))).
[¶25.] I respectfully dissent because in this case, there was evidence
supporting a contributory negligence defense. Both Steffen and Koch agreed that
Steffen remained stopped in the roadway after the emergency vehicle had passed.
Moreover, there was conflicting evidence whether the traffic had started moving or
whether stationary traffic was blocking Steffen’s vehicle. Under these
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circumstances, it was for a jury to determine whether it was reasonable for Steffen
to remain stopped on the roadway “to watch” where the emergency vehicle was
going. 4
[¶26.] Steffen moved for a directed verdict and objected to the instruction
permitting the jury to determine whether Steffen was contributorily negligent. In
reviewing the motion for directed verdict, the Court correctly observes that we must
examine the evidence on contributory negligence in a light most favorable to the
nonmoving party (Koch) and give that party the benefit of all reasonable inferences
fairly drawn from the evidence. See supra ¶7. As we have previously concluded in a
recent contributory negligence case, “[a] claim that the evidence was insufficient to
establish contributory negligence is viewed ‘in the light most favorable to upholding
the verdict.’” Johnson v. Armfield, 2003 SD 134, ¶7, 672 NW2d 478, 481 (quoting
Parker v. Casa Del Rey, 2002 SD 29, ¶5, 641 NW2d 112, 115 (quoting Engberg v.
Ford Motor Co., 87 SD 196, 201, 205 NW2d 104, 106 (1973))). That is because
“[i]ssues of negligence, contributory negligence, and proximate cause are ordinarily
questions of fact and it must be a clear case before a trial judge is justified in taking
these issues from the jury.” Luther v. City of Winner, 2004 SD 1, ¶24, 674 NW2d
339, 348 (citation omitted). “It is only when reasonable [people] can draw but one
conclusion from facts and inferences that they become a matter of law and this
rarely occurs.” Mitchell v. Ankney, 396 NW2d 312, 313 (SD 1986) (citing Wilson v.
Great N. R.R. Co., 83 SD 207, 157 NW2d 19 (1968)). Ultimately, we “review a trial
court’s decision to grant or deny a particular instruction under the abuse of
4. I join the opinion of the Court on all other issues.
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discretion standard.” Vetter v. Cam Wal Elec. Coop., Inc., 2006 SD 21, ¶10,
__NW2d __, __ (citing Luke v. Deal, 2005 SD 6, ¶11, 692 NW2d 165, 168; Parker,
2002 SD 29, ¶5, 641 NW2d at 116).
[¶27.] Before examining the evidence supporting the trial court’s decision to
give a contributory negligence instruction, we must first review the relevant
standards of care. The standards are found in two statutes. The first requires that
“[n]o person may stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or
unattended, upon the paved or improved or main-traveled portion of any highway . .
. when it is practical to stop, park, or leave such vehicle standing off of the paved or
improved or main-traveled portion of the highway.” SDCL 32-30-1. However, the
second statute creates a limited exception when emergency vehicles are
approaching. In that instance vehicles must pull over, stop, and “remain in such
position . . . until the authorized emergency vehicle shall have passed.” SDCL 32-
31-6 (emphasis added). Thus, under the relevant standards of care, the Court
correctly observes that Steffen could not have been contributorily negligent in
stopping and waiting as the emergency vehicle was approaching. However, she
could have been contributorily negligent if, after stopping on the main-traveled
portion of the highway, she delayed her resumption of travel longer than practical;
i.e., longer than a reasonable and prudent person would have remained stopped
after the emergency vehicle had passed. 5 See Myers v. Quenzer, 79 SD 248, 255,
5. The trial court explained Steffen’s duties to follow these statutory
rules of the road using the usual “reasonable person” definition of
negligence:
When used in these instructions, negligence is the failure to use
(continued . . .)
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110 NW2d 840, 843 (1961) (concluding that contributory negligence occurs in cases
involving motorists who stop on the roadway when the motorist “unnecessarily
place[s] and maintain[s] their car in a position of danger”) (citing Haase v. Willers
Truck Serv., 72 SD 353, 34 NW2d 313 (1948); Ford v. Robinson, 76 SD 457, 80
NW2d 471 (1957)).
[¶28.] The Court asserts that the only testimony relevant to the issue of
contributory negligence came from Koch and that his testimony was insufficient.
See supra ¶11. However, there is record evidence from both Steffen and Koch
indicating that Steffen may not have exercised reasonable care because she
remained stopped on the traveled portion of the roadway after the emergency
vehicle had passed. 6 In fact, Steffen herself conceded that she remained stopped on
____________________________
(. . . continued)
reasonable care. It is the doing of something that a reasonable
person would not do, or the failure to do something that a
reasonable person would do, under facts similar to those shown
by the evidence. The law does not say how a reasonable person
would act under facts similar to those shown by evidence. That
is for you to decide. Breach of a duty owed to others or breach of
a standard of care is negligence. Violation of the rule of the
road is negligence.
Thus, by finding Steffen slightly negligent, the jury obviously found
that Steffen failed to resume travel as soon as a reasonable person
would have under the facts and circumstances of this case.
6. In coming to a contrary conclusion concerning Steffen’s contributory
negligence, the Court incorrectly focuses on Koch’s conduct. See supra
¶11 (noting it is questionable whether Koch ever stopped in response
to the emergency vehicle before striking Steffen); ¶12 (analyzing
Koch’s admission that he was aware vehicles were pulling over
because of the emergency vehicle, Koch’s duty to observe all the rules
of the road, and Koch’s decision to resume travel); ¶14 (indicating that
Koch has no excuse for his failure to stop). However, Koch’s conduct is
not the relevant inquiry in determining whether Steffen was also
(continued . . .)
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the traveled portion of the highway after the emergency vehicle had passed as she
watched the vehicle in her “rearview mirror to see where they were going.” She
further conceded that at this point, after the emergency vehicle had passed and
while she remained stopped watching in her mirror to see where the vehicle was
going, Koch was still a block or a block and one-half behind her:
Testimony of Steffen:
Q. But [when you were stopped] you were still in the
travel[ed] portion of Cliff Avenue?
A. Yes, everyone that was stopped was.
***
Q. Now, when the accident actually happened, when
the impact with your vehicle happened, the ambulance or
police car had already went by; is that correct?
A. Yes.
***
Q. And you first saw [Koch’s truck] when he was about
two blocks away?
A. No. He was probably closer to--I don’t know, maybe
a block and a half or a block, but I had just seen the
police go by and was looking in my rearview mirror
to see where they were going and--or it would have
been my side mirror and that is when I saw Mr. Koch....
(Emphasis added.) Thus, Steffen conceded that well before the accident occurred,
the emergency vehicle had passed, yet she remained stopped on the roadway
watching where the emergency vehicle was going.
[¶29.] Koch confirmed Steffen’s concessions and also presented further
evidence of contributory negligence. First, he confirmed that the emergency vehicle
____________________________
(. . . continued)
negligent. Consequently, the Court errs in focusing so heavily on
Koch’s conduct. In order to determine whether Steffen can be charged
with contributory negligence, the focus should initially be on Steffen’s
conduct. Then, it is only if the trier of fact finds her negligent that
Koch’s conduct should be examined to determine relative fault.
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had passed both of them before the accident occurred. Second, and contrary to
Steffen’s testimony, he provided evidence that the traffic had started moving:
Testimony of Koch:
Q. You met the ambulance before the collision
occurred?
A. Yes.
Q. And when the ambulance went by, did you look at
it?
A. As-- I glanced as it was coming up on me.
***
Q. I see. Did you look out the window to observe the
passing emergency vehicle?
A. I believe so. I just glanced at it.
***
Q. When you were driving down Cliff.
A. When I was driving down the hill I saw an
emergency vehicle go by me. I immediately pulled over
and stopped or tried to stop and then when traffic
started to move, I pulled back on the road and proceeded
to move again.
Q. And what happened next?
A. I noticed Miss Steffen was stopped in the roadway,
and I tried to stop as best I could and there was a vehicle
in the left lane and there was the post on the shoulder,
like a street post, so I couldn’t swerve over there. So I
stopped the best I could and I couldn’t quite stop and ran
into Miss Steffen.
Q. When you noticed she was still sitting in the
roadway, had the emergency vehicle already passed by?
A. Yes, it was.
(Emphasis added.) Thus, there was, at a minimum, conflicting evidence that
although the traffic had “started to move” again, Steffen remained stopped,
watching where the passing emergency vehicle was going.
[¶30.] Steffen, however, contends that she could not have moved after the
vehicle passed because there were two stationary vehicles in front of her. However,
even if true, this evidence was contradicted by Koch who testified that he pulled out
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#23706, #23718
and proceeded down Cliff Avenue “when traffic started to move.” 7 Considering
Koch’s testimony that the traffic had started moving in conjunction with Steffen’s
concession that Koch’s vehicle was still a block or a block and one-half behind her
when the emergency vehicle had passed, there was at least conflicting evidence
whether Steffen may have breached her duty to act with reasonable care by failing
to resume travel as soon as practical after the emergency vehicle had passed her.
[¶31.] The Court, however, believes that Koch’s testimony that the “traffic
started to move” is a mere “generality” and “assertion” not entitled to as much
probative value as Steffen's testimony that “I couldn’t go anywhere.” See supra ¶13
and n2. In my view, this analysis improperly “weighs” conflicting evidence. We
have consistently held that in analyzing this contributory negligence question, we
are to do so “without weighing the evidence.” Thompson v. Mehlhaff, 2005 SD 69,
¶38, 698 NW2d 512, 523. The Court fails to follow this rule when it elevates
Steffen’s version of what occurred over Koch’s. Because the two witnesses’
statements create conflicting inferences, this is a classic jury question rather than a
question to be decided by this Court on appellate review.
[¶32.] This conflicting evidence was relied upon by Koch in arguing to the
court and to the jury that Steffen was contributory negligent. Specifically, in
resisting the directed verdict motion and arguing for a contributory negligence
instruction, defense counsel pointed out:
7. The clause “when traffic started to move” is an adjective clause that
Koch used to identify and describe the concept of time. See Donald W.
Emery et al., English Fundamentals 80 (12th ed 2002) (“When and
(continued . . .)
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. . . I think there’s a fact question as to the plaintiff’s
contributory negligence. She testified that she stopped her
vehicle in the lane of traffic and that when the accident
happened the emergency vehicle had already passed by. I think
the jury gets to make a determination as to whether or not she
violated SDCL 32-30-1 by leaving her vehicle stopped for an
inappropriate length of time on the roadway.
Similarly, [Koch] argued to the jury:
After the ambulance passed by though, [Koch] started traveling
again along with all the other traffic in the area, but for what
ever reason Miss Steffen just sat there and didn’t move. Even
though she told you when the accident happened the ambulance
was already passed by. [Koch] had the right to assume that the
traffic would not be stopped indefinitely in the driving lane.
When he realized she wasn’t moving, he attempted to avoid the
accident but was unable to do so.
[¶33.] These arguments were justified by the rules of the road and the
conflicting evidence. The relevant standards of care only authorized Steffen to stop
on the traveled portion of a highway for as long as “practical” and until an
emergency vehicle has “passed.” Considering the record evidence that Steffen
remained stopped after the emergency vehicle had passed watching “to see where it
was going,” and considering the fact that there was evidence that the traffic had
started moving, a fact finder was required to determine whether Steffen was really
blocked or whether she waited too long to proceed with the other traffic.
[¶34.] Finally, it must be emphasized that this case is unlike Johnson v.
Armfield, where “[t]he sole basis for [the defendant’s] contributory negligence
defense [was] his own bare assertion that [plaintiff] was speeding and [plaintiff’s]
____________________________
(. . . continued)
where introduce adjective clauses in combinations meaning ‘time
when’ and ‘place where.’”).
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admission that she tended to drive five miles per hour over the speed limit.” 2003
SD 134, ¶11, 672 NW2d at 481. This case has undisputed evidence from both
drivers that Steffen remained stopped after the emergency vehicle had passed. And,
there is conflicting evidence whether the traffic started moving or whether she was
blocked. Therefore, this case involves evidence and inferences of contributory
negligence rather than bare assertions and arguments.8 For all of the foregoing
reasons, the trial court did not abuse its discretion and should be affirmed.
8. The Court indicates that traffic signal cases suggest that no contributory
negligence instruction should have been given in this case. See supra n3.
However, the cases cited are either distinguishable or the rule of law that
was applied would permit the issue to go to the jury in this case. The
following cases are distinguishable: Taylor v. Culpepper, 208 So2d 176,
178 (Miss 1968) (distinguishable because it specifically noted that plaintiff
testified he signaled a stop and defendant did not deny it. Therefore, the
evidence was not sufficient to give the jury a contributory negligence
instruction for plaintiff’s failure to signal that he was stopping); Moore v.
Fischer, 31 ColoApp 425, 430, 505 P2d 383, 386 (ColoApp 1972)
(distinguishable because under the facts of that case there was no evidence
that the plaintiff's initial stop was abrupt and unwarranted).
On the other hand, the rule of the remaining cases would warrant a
contributory negligence instruction here. Washington follows the rule that:
“There must be substantial evidence that plaintiff's own negligence
proximately contributed to the injury or evidence from which such negligence
can be reasonably inferred.” Bonica v. Gracias, 84 Wash2d 99, 100, 524 P2d
232, 233 (Wash 1974) (involving a case where “no evidence” of contributory
negligence was elicited) (citing Jackson v. Seattle, 15 Wash2d 505, 131 P2d
172 (1942)) (emphasis added). Thus, if there is evidence from which
contributory negligence may be reasonably inferred; e.g., Steffen’s admission
that she remained stopped after the emergency vehicle had passed and
Koch’s testimony that the traffic started moving, the contributory negligence
dispute should have been submitted to the jury.
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Steffen v. Schwan's Sales Enterprises, Inc.
Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
Date filed: 2006-04-19
Citations: 2006 SD 41, 713 N.W.2d 614
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