Bella C. Torres, Individually and As Mother and Next Friendof Joseph Torres, a Minor, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Max Darren Motley, Defendant-appellee, 978 F.2d 1268 (10th Cir. 1992)

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir.R. 34.1.9. The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

In this diversity action resulting from a rear-end collision, Plaintiff appeals the district court's order denying her motion for a new trial following a jury verdict in Defendant's favor. Plaintiff had alleged that she and her son suffered injuries as a result of Defendant's negligence, when he rear-ended Plaintiff's vehicle while it was stopped at a traffic light. The jury determined that, although Defendant's negligence caused the automobile accident, his negligence was not the proximate cause of the injuries to Plaintiff and her son. Following the jury verdict, Plaintiff filed a motion for a new trial, which the district court denied. Plaintiff appeals.

This court will review a district court's decision denying a new trial motion only for an abuse of discretion. Sil-Flo, Inc. v. SFHC, Inc., 917 F.2d 1507, 1519 (10th Cir. 1990). " 'So long as a reasonable basis exists for the jury's verdict, we will not disturb the district judge's ruling.' " Id. (quoting McAlester v. United Air Lines, Inc., 851 F.2d 1249, 1260 (10th Cir. 1988)). Because the record contains evidence supporting the jury's determination that Defendant's negligence was not the proximate cause of the injuries to Plaintiff and her son, the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying the new trial motion.

The judgment of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico is AFFIRMED.