HORNADY TRUCK LINES, INC. V. MEADOWS, 847 SO. 2D 908 (ALA. 2002)

Accident victims who were injured in a collision that occurred on interstate after northbound automobile first collided with northbound tractor-trailer, then crossed over grass median into path of southbound vehicle, sued driver of northbound automobile, his employer, and tractor-trailer owner on theories of wantonness and negligence. The Baldwin Circuit Court, Nos. CV-00-638, CV-00-926, entered judgments for accidents victims pursuant to jury verdicts. Defendants appealed. The Supreme Court, Houston, J., held that: (1) alleged negligence and wantonness on part of both northbound drivers were questions for jury; (2) whether employer negligently entrusted automobile to employee was question for jury; (3) compensatory damage awards of $2,000,000 for operator of southbound vehicle, and of $1,000,000 and $1,500,000, respectively, for wife and son who were injured, were not excessive; and (4) compensatory damages award of $1,750,000 for passenger in northbound automobile was not excessive. Affirmed.