Kuzian v. Tomaszewski

200 A.3d 931, 457 N.J. Super. 458
CourtNew Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division
DecidedJuly 12, 2018
DocketDOCKET NO. L-006624-14
StatusPublished

This text of 200 A.3d 931 (Kuzian v. Tomaszewski) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Kuzian v. Tomaszewski, 200 A.3d 931, 457 N.J. Super. 458 (N.J. Ct. App. 2018).

Opinion

MARCZYK, P.J.Cv.

*460The issue addressed in this matter is whether it is appropriate in a personal injury action, stemming from an automobile accident, for plaintiff's counsel to question his client as to whether his vehicle was "totaled" as a result of the accident with defendant's vehicle. The question was asked to demonstrate to the jury the significance of the impact. While this issue often arises in the context of automobile negligence actions, it does not appear that *933it has been heretofore addressed by the courts in New Jersey.

The plaintiff in this matter alleged that he sustained permanent injuries in a motor vehicle accident caused by the defendant. During the direct examination of plaintiff at trial, plaintiff's counsel inquired as to whether plaintiff's vehicle was totaled as a result of the subject accident. Defense counsel objected arguing the question was improper. Defendant argued that whether or not the vehicle was totaled (or a total loss) without more information could mislead the jury regarding the extent of the actual damage to the vehicle. Plaintiff, in turn, asserted that whether the vehicle was totaled is relevant with respect to the extent of the collision and its corresponding impact on plaintiff's injuries, which can be considered by the jury pursuant to *461Brenman v. Demello, 191 N.J. 18, 921 A.2d 1110 (2007). The court ultimately sustained the objection on the basis of relevancy.1

DISCUSSION

The key issue the court must decide is whether it is relevant to the jury's consideration of plaintiff's alleged injuries whether plaintiff's vehicle was totaled in the accident at issue. It is well established that any evidence presented at trial must be relevant. "[R]elevant evidence means evidence having a tendency in reason to prove or disprove any fact of consequence to the determination of the action." N.J.R.E. 401. In determining whether evidence is relevant, the inquiry focuses upon "the logical connection between the proffered evidence and a fact in issue." State v. Hutchins, 241 N.J. Super. 353, 358, 575 A.2d 35 (App. Div. 1990). That is, relevance has to do with whether the evidence proffered "renders the desired inference more probable than it would be without the evidence." State v. Davis, 96 N.J. 611, 619, 477 A.2d 308 (1984) (quoting State v. Deatore, 70 N.J. 100, 116, 358 A.2d 163 (1976) ). To say that "evidence is irrelevant in the sense that it lacks probative value" means that it "does not justify any reasonable inference as to the fact in question." State v. Allison, 208 N.J. Super. 9, 504 A.2d 1184 (App. Div. 1985) (quoting McCormick on Evidence, § 185 at 544 (3rd ed. 1984) ). Conversely, if evidence does support the existence of a specific fact, even obliquely, it is relevant and admissible. Verdicchio v. Ricca, 179 N.J. 1, 33-34, 843 A.2d 1042 (2004).

In most circumstances either party can enter photographs of the vehicles involved in an accident into evidence pursuant to Brenman, 191 N.J. at 35-36, 921 A.2d 1110. Brenman is often cited by parties in their attempt to present testimony that a vehicle was (or was not) totaled in an accident. Ibid. In Brenman our Supreme Court permitted the utilization of photographs of the damaged *462vehicles in a personal injury case. Ibid. The Court determined the jury could consider the photographs in evaluating the seriousness of the accident and its impact on plaintiff's injuries. Ibid. A jury charge is routinely given in auto negligence cases consistent with Brenman. Specifically, jurors are instructed:

A number of photographs of one or more of the vehicles involved in the accident have been introduced into evidence. These photographs show the damage or depict the condition of the vehicles after the impact. As judges of the facts, you may attribute such weight to the photographs as you deem appropriate taking into consideration all of the other evidence in this case. In some accidents resulting in extensive vehicle damage, the occupants may suffer minor injuries or no injuries at all. In other accidents *934where there is no or little apparent vehicle damage, the occupants may suffer serious injuries. In reaching your decision in this matter, you are to give the photographs whatever weight you deem appropriate. They are but one factor to be considered, along with all other evidence, in determining whether the plaintiff sustained injuries as a result of the accident.
[Model Jury Charges (Civil), 5.34, "Photographic Evidence in Motor Vehicle Accidents" (approved Oct. 2009.]

In this court's view, the use of photographs from an accident is distinguishable from advising the jury that a vehicle was totaled.

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Related

Verdicchio v. Ricca
843 A.2d 1042 (Supreme Court of New Jersey, 2004)
State v. Deatore
358 A.2d 163 (Supreme Court of New Jersey, 1976)
State v. Davis
477 A.2d 308 (Supreme Court of New Jersey, 1984)
State v. Hutchins
575 A.2d 35 (New Jersey Superior Court App Division, 1990)
Brenman v. Demello
921 A.2d 1110 (Supreme Court of New Jersey, 2007)
State v. Allison
504 A.2d 1184 (New Jersey Superior Court App Division, 1985)

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Bluebook (online)
200 A.3d 931, 457 N.J. Super. 458, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/kuzian-v-tomaszewski-njsuperctappdiv-2018.