Lee v. Fang CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff Je Hyuk Lee appeals from the entry of judgment against him following a jury trial. Lee’s lawsuit alleged he was injured in an automobile accident caused by defendant Zhezhu Fang. Fang admitted liability, but the jury found Lee was not injured as a result of the accident. The trial court denied Lee’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) and his motion to tax Fang’s expert witness costs. Lee now contends the court erred in denying his motions and refusing to grant him a new trial. We affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

A. The Accident Lee and Fang were involved in an automobile accident on December 27, 2010.1 Lee contends, and Fang does not dispute, that Lee was driving his 2002 Nissan Pathfinder northbound on Wilton Place in Los Angeles, at approximately 30 miles per hour. Without any warning, Fang pulled his 2004 Toyota Camry into traffic from a parking space on Wilton Place. Fang turned into Lee’s lane and broadsided Lee’s vehicle. Both vehicles were damaged. Lee’s Pathfinder was considered a total loss, in that the purported cost to repair it was higher than the vehicle’s value. In his deposition, Fang testified that he asked Lee at…