What is the scope of discretion of the California Court of Appeal when dealing with a claim for damages arising from a motor vehicle accident?

The question then is whether the discretion conferred has been abused. "The scope of discretion always resides in the particular law being applied, i.e., in the 'legal principles governing the subject of [the] action....' Action that transgresses the confines of the applicable principles of law is outside the scope of discretion and we call such action an 'abuse' of discretion. (Citation.)" (City of Sacramento v. Drew (1989) 207 Cal.App.3d 1287, 1297, 255 Cal.Rptr. 704.)