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Full-Text Articles in Law
Green: Traffic Victims. Tort Law And Insurance, Spencer L. Kimball
Green: Traffic Victims. Tort Law And Insurance, Spencer L. Kimball
Michigan Law Review
A Review of Traffic Victims. Tort Law and Insurance. By Leon Green.
Evidence - Dead Man's Statute - Interpretation Of "Transaction", Howard N. Nemerovski S.Ed.
Evidence - Dead Man's Statute - Interpretation Of "Transaction", Howard N. Nemerovski S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff was a passenger in an automobile which collided with one driven by defendant's intestate. Both drivers were killed, and plaintiff sued defendant, administrator of intestate's estate, for personal injuries, alleging negligence. There were no other eye-witnesses to the collision, and the trial court, relying upon the Alabama dead man's statute, would not permit plaintiff to testify to any of the details or circumstances of the accident, or even to the fact that she had been involved in an accident with an automobile driven by the decedent. The jury found for defendant. On appeal, held, reversed. Plaintiff, passenger in …
Torts - Parent And Child-Doctrine Of Parental Immunity, Julian J. Linde S.Ed.
Torts - Parent And Child-Doctrine Of Parental Immunity, Julian J. Linde S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff, a minor, sustained injuries in a collision which occurred while he was riding in a car owned and driven by defendant, his father. The complaint alleged that defendant was guilty of willful and wanton misconduct, consisting of speeding on a wet road on a foggy night and of running a stop light. A motion to dismiss on the ground that the suit was contrary to public policy was sustained. On appeal, held, reversed. The doctrine of parental immunity is inapplicable to cases of willful and wanton misconduct. Nudd v Matsoukas, (III. 1956) 131 N.E. (2d) 525.
Negligence-Imputed Negligence-Recovery From Owner Under Statute When No Recovery May Be Had Against Negligent Driver, Marvin O. Young
Negligence-Imputed Negligence-Recovery From Owner Under Statute When No Recovery May Be Had Against Negligent Driver, Marvin O. Young
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff, 12 years old, was injured as a result of his father's negligent operation of an automobile owned by defendant and operated with defendant's consent. In his complaint, plaintiff joined his father and the owner as defendants. There was no allegation that the father was acting as an agent of the owner nor that the owner himself was negligent A demurrer interposed on behalf of both defendants was sustained by the trial court On appeal, held, affirmed. Plaintiff may not maintain an action against the defendant-owner because the owner could recover over against plaintiff's father, the net effect of which …
Evidence-Presumptions-Plaintiff's Res Ipsa Loquitur Against Defendants Presumption Of Due Care, Bernard A. Petrie S.Ed.
Evidence-Presumptions-Plaintiff's Res Ipsa Loquitur Against Defendants Presumption Of Due Care, Bernard A. Petrie S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff sued for injuries resulting when an automobile which defendant was driving and in which plaintiff was sleeping left the highway. There was evidence that defendant suffered retrograde amnesia and could not recall the circumstances of the accident. The court, instructing on res ipsa loquitur for plaintiff, told the jury that it might infer negligence from the fact that the automobile inexplicably left the highway. The court also instructed that, if the jury believed that defendant suffered a loss of memory, defendant was presumed to have exercised due care. Verdict for defendant. Plaintiff contended that instruction on the presumption of …
Torts-Statutes-Unsatisified Judgment And Hit-And-Run Provisions As Supplementing Financial Responsibility Acts, Herbert L. Meschke
Torts-Statutes-Unsatisified Judgment And Hit-And-Run Provisions As Supplementing Financial Responsibility Acts, Herbert L. Meschke
Michigan Law Review
In 1947, North Dakota enacted legislation providing that one who recovers a judgment in an action for damages for personal injuries or death resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle and who cannot execute the judgment because of the defendants' inability to pay and lack of property, may receive payment from the state unsatisfied judgment fund upon application to the court and assignment of the judgment to the state. The fund was created, and is to be maintained, by a special assessment on motor vehicle owners. 1951 North Dakota legislation provides that any person who has a cause of …
Conflict Of Laws-Death By Wrongful Act-Recovery Under Foreign Statute, Douglas L. Mann S. Ed.
Conflict Of Laws-Death By Wrongful Act-Recovery Under Foreign Statute, Douglas L. Mann S. Ed.
Michigan Law Review
A was killed in an automobile accident occurring in Illinois. Alleging that defendant wrongfully caused A's death, A's administrator sought recovery in Wisconsin, basing his claim on the Illinois death act. The trial court granted defendant's motion for summary judgment. Held, affirmed, two justices dissenting. The Wisconsin death act allows recovery of damages for wrongful death "provided, that such action shall be brought for a death caused in this state." It follows that maintenance of an action for a death caused in a sister state is against the public policy of Wisconsin. Hughes v. Fetter, 257 …
Negligence-Automobile Bailments--Effect Of Owner Responsibility Statutes, Bernard L. Goodman
Negligence-Automobile Bailments--Effect Of Owner Responsibility Statutes, Bernard L. Goodman
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff brought an action to recover for damage to his automobile resulting from a collision with defendant's automobile. Each of the vehicles was being negligently operated by the son of the owner. A statute provided that one operating a vehicle with the owner's consent should be deemed the owner's agent. The court refused to give an instruction which would preclude plaintiff's recovery if the jury found that his son's negligence contributed to the accident. On appeal from a verdict for the plaintiff, held, affirmed. The statute makes the bailor liable to persons injured because of the bailee's negligence but …
Practice And Procedure-Third-Party Practice-Subrogation And Contribution- Right Of Defendant To Join Physician Who Aggravated Lnjuries, Richard B. Gushée S.Ed.
Practice And Procedure-Third-Party Practice-Subrogation And Contribution- Right Of Defendant To Join Physician Who Aggravated Lnjuries, Richard B. Gushée S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
A brought an action against B for injuries suffered in an automobile accident and aggravation of those injuries by the negligent treatment of a physician, D. B filed a third-party complaint against D for malpractice contending that D was liable over to him for all or a part of the judgment recovered by A. D's motion to dismiss the third-party complaint for want of a sufficient cause of action was denied. On appeal, held, affirmed. A tort-feasor who has been held liable for injuries is subrogated to any right of action which the injured party may …
Negligence-Imputed Negligence-Action Between Joint Enterprisers, Nancy J. Ringland
Negligence-Imputed Negligence-Action Between Joint Enterprisers, Nancy J. Ringland
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff and his wife were driving from Michigan to Iowa to visit a certain church to which plaintiff, a minister, was considering a call. Defendant desired to visit a college in Illinois, with the intention of enrolling as a student. It was agreed that defendant should ride in plaintiff's automobile to Illinois, where plaintiff was to help defendant gain admission to the college; later defendant was to return with the plaintiff to Michigan. The parties alternated in driving the automobile on the trip. At a certain stage in the journey, defendant negligently operated the automobile and caused it to become …
Federal Procedure--Third-Party Practice--Contbibution Among Joint Or Concurrent Tort-Feasors, Paul M.D. Harrison
Federal Procedure--Third-Party Practice--Contbibution Among Joint Or Concurrent Tort-Feasors, Paul M.D. Harrison
Michigan Law Review
A sued B for injuries arising out of a collision between B's taxicab and an automobile driven by C, in which A was riding as a guest passenger. B filed a third-party complaint against C, who denied B's allegation of negligence and counterclaimed against B for personal injuries. A did not amend his complaint to assert a claim against C. The jury found that A's injury was caused by the concurrent negligence of B and C. Judgment for $11,500 was given to A against B, and B was awarded a judgment against …
Legislation-Federal Tort Claims Act-Applicable To Military Personnel, B. J. George, Jr.
Legislation-Federal Tort Claims Act-Applicable To Military Personnel, B. J. George, Jr.
Michigan Law Review
An automobile containing two furloughed soldiers and their father was struck by a negligently operated army vehicle, resulting in the death of one soldier and injury to the other two occupants. In a suit against the government under the Federal Tort Claims Act the father and injured soldier recovered in their own right and the father also recovered as administrator of the deceased soldier's estate. The Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the judgments in favor of the servicemen, holding that there was an implied exception in the act prohibiting such suits because of benefits available to servicemen in the form …
Negligence-Proximate Cause-Plaintiff's Burden Of Proof Where Either Of Two Wrongful Acts Could Have Caused Injury, M. J. Spencer
Negligence-Proximate Cause-Plaintiff's Burden Of Proof Where Either Of Two Wrongful Acts Could Have Caused Injury, M. J. Spencer
Michigan Law Review
While walking on a highway, A was knocked down by a car driven by B, and was almost immediately run over by C's car. A was pronounced dead from several injuries, any one of which would have sufficed to cause his death. Plaintiff, A's administratrix, recovered judgment against both B and C for A's death. Held, reversing on other grounds, joinder of B and C was proper. Micelli v. Hirsch, (Ohio App. 1948) 83 N.E. (2d) 240.
Negligence-Causation-Intervening Cause, Herbert E. Phillipson, Jr.
Negligence-Causation-Intervening Cause, Herbert E. Phillipson, Jr.
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff alleged that while driving on a two-lane highway, he was overtaken by defendant, who attempted to pass against oncoming traffic and forced plaintiff to tum right in an effort to leave the highway. At that point, a passenger in plaintiff's car seized the steering wheel, causing the car to travel left across the highway without collision and then overturn, injuring plaintiff. Held, demurrer to complaint sustained. The passenger's act was not foreseeable, was not the normal response to the situation created by the defendant, and was so extraordinary as to be an efficient intervening cause. Robinson v. Butler …
Practice And Procedure-Joint Tortfeasors-Cross Claim Against Co-Party, James F. Gordy
Practice And Procedure-Joint Tortfeasors-Cross Claim Against Co-Party, James F. Gordy
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff was driving his team on the highway, closely followed by the auto of defendant Wood, which was in turn followed by that of defendant Perry. Perry, driving at a high rate of speed, collided with the rear of Wood's auto, causing it to collide with plaintiff's wagon. Plaintiff sued both defendants to recover for damage to himself and his wagon, alleging negligence in the conduct of each. Defendants answered, each denying his own negligence. Wood interposed a cross claim against Perry, alleging Perry's negligence to be the sole cause of the collision, and demanded judgment for damage to his …
Negligence-Contributory Negligence-Customary Violation Of Statute By Defendant As Bearing On Issue Of Plaintiff's Contributory Negligence, James A. Sprunk
Negligence-Contributory Negligence-Customary Violation Of Statute By Defendant As Bearing On Issue Of Plaintiff's Contributory Negligence, James A. Sprunk
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff's empty truck, proceeding uphill, collided on plaintiff's side of the road with defendant's loaded truck which was traveling in the opposite direction. Both trucks were engaged in the same road-surfacing project. The road had a washout on defendant's side. Defendant's answer alleged that there was an established custom under which drivers of empty trucks yielded the right of way to drivers of loaded trucks when about to meet in a narrow or defective place in the highway; that defendant relied upon such custom which plaintiff failed to observe; and that the plaintiff's failure to observe the custom constituted contributory …
Negligence-Proximate Cause, W. Stirling Maxwell
Negligence-Proximate Cause, W. Stirling Maxwell
Michigan Law Review
An owner left his car in defendants' parking garage with the key in the ignition. Defendants' employee stole the car and loaned it to X who had no knowledge of the theft. X, while driving the car, ran into plaintiff nearly twelve hours after the theft. Held, as a matter of law defendants were not guilty of negligence. Assuming, however, that defendants were negligent, such negligence was not the proximate cause of plaintiff's injuries. Howard v. Swagart, (App. D.C. 1947) 161 F. (2d) 651.
Torts-Duty To Control Conduct Of Another-Duty Of Infant Passenger Owner To Control Infant Driver, John F. O'Connor S.Ed.
Torts-Duty To Control Conduct Of Another-Duty Of Infant Passenger Owner To Control Infant Driver, John F. O'Connor S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff's decedent, an infant twenty years of age, owned an automobile which was being driven by a lad of seventeen at the request of decedent who, with a girl companion, occupied the rear seat of the automobile. The infant driver did not have a driver's license. Plaintiff, as administratrix of the estate of the decedent brought an action under the Death Act for damages arising from the death of the decedent which occurred as a result of a collision between the automobile and defendant's locomotive. There was evidence bearing upon the defendant's negligence and negligence on the part of the …
Torts-Imputed Negligence In Michigan, Joseph N. Morency, Jr.
Torts-Imputed Negligence In Michigan, Joseph N. Morency, Jr.
Michigan Law Review
Husband was driving his wife and another passenger from work when, due to a combination of the negligence of the husband and that of the defendant, a collision occurred resulting in the death of the wife. Plaintiff as administrator of the wife brought an action under the Death Act against the defendant to recover damages for the minor children of the deceased to the support of whom the deceased had contributed. The trial court directed a verdict in favor of the defendant on the ground that the contributory negligence of the husband as driver was imputed to the wife as …
Death By Wrongful Act-Effect Of Double Death On Recovery Under Minnesota "Death" And "Survival" Statutes, Robert K. Eifler
Death By Wrongful Act-Effect Of Double Death On Recovery Under Minnesota "Death" And "Survival" Statutes, Robert K. Eifler
Michigan Law Review
Recovery was sought by the surviving spouse and next of kin against the estate of a negligent driver where both the passenger and the driver were fatally injured and died "in the same traffic accident." Held, where both the injured person and the wrongdoer die, an action survives against the personal representatives of the wrongdoer. Kuhnle v. Swedlund, 220 Minn. 573, 20 N.W. (2d) 396 (1945).
Torts-Liability Of Negligent Driver To One Who Goes To His Rescue, Margaret Groefsema S.Ed.
Torts-Liability Of Negligent Driver To One Who Goes To His Rescue, Margaret Groefsema S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Where plaintiff went to the aid of defendant who lay pinned beneath the wheel of his car after a collision caused by his own negligent driving, the Michigan Supreme Court held that plaintiff could recover for injuries sustained when the car rolled back upon her as she was attempting to remove defendant. Brugh v. Bigelow, (Mich. 1944) 16 N.W. (2d) 668.
Insurance - Defenses Of Liability Insurer Against Third Party Injured By Assured Under Statute Giving Injured Party Right Of Action Against Insurer - Constitutionality, Michigan Law Review
Insurance - Defenses Of Liability Insurer Against Third Party Injured By Assured Under Statute Giving Injured Party Right Of Action Against Insurer - Constitutionality, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff, having recovered a judgment against insured defendant for injuries sustained in an automobile accident, filed a supplemental bill against defendant's insurer to recover the 'insurance money. The statute granting plaintiff this right provides that whenever damage occurs for which the insured is responsible, the liability of the insurer "shall become absolute," and upon his obtaining a judgment against the assured, the injured person shall be entitled to have the insurance money applied to satisfy the judgment. The insurer defended on the ground that the insured violated a condition of the policy by failing to cooperate in the defense of …
Negligence - Last Clear Chance - Distinction Between The Possibility And The Probability Of Averting The Accident, Michigan Law Review
Negligence - Last Clear Chance - Distinction Between The Possibility And The Probability Of Averting The Accident, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
The plaintiff and her companion, both unaware of the defendant's approaching automobile, negligently drove onto a highway along which the defendant was driving at a high rate of speed. When thirty to forty feet away from the plaintiff, the defendant sounded his horn, applied the brakes, and swerved his car, but was unsuccessful in avoiding the collision. The trial court directed a verdict for the defendant. Held, judgment for the defendant reversed since the jury might have found: that defendant should have realized plaintiff's danger when he was one hundred and twenty feet away from the plaintiff; that although …
Municipal Corporations - Tort Liability - Exemplary Damages, Michigan Law Review
Municipal Corporations - Tort Liability - Exemplary Damages, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff was injured in a collision between the car in which she was riding and a negligently driven fire truck owned by the defendant municipality. Plaintiff's declaration alleged that the fire trucks had been habitually driven in a grossly negligent manner, but the evidence offered at the trial did not substantiate this allegation. The trial court instructed the jury that it could include in the verdict such sum as might be warranted by the evidence as punitive or exemplary damages. The jury awarded $5,000 damages. Held, that plaintiff could recover for torts committed by the fire department, and that …
Automobiles - Husband's Liability For Wife's Negligence While Driving Family Auto - "Family Errand" And "Family Purpose" Doctrines - Illinois Rule, Michigan Law Review
Automobiles - Husband's Liability For Wife's Negligence While Driving Family Auto - "Family Errand" And "Family Purpose" Doctrines - Illinois Rule, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff's automobile was damaged by collision with an automobile belonging to the defendant while being driven by defendant's wife who was on an errand to purchase a twenty-five cent Hallowe'en party dress for her daughter. The accident was caused by the negligence of the defendant's wife. The defendant, his wife, and their child were living together, and the wife's sole income was derived from her husband, and from this she was to provide clothing and meet other expenses for the child. The circuit court gave judgment of damages to the plaintiff and the defendant appeals. Held, the plaintiff could …
Negligence - Injury From Bodily Movement Of Sleeping Defendant, Michigan Law Review
Negligence - Injury From Bodily Movement Of Sleeping Defendant, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
Defendant, while asleep on the rear seat of the automobile driven by plaintiff, kicked the back of the front seat, thereby throwing plaintiff forward and causing plaintiff to lose momentary control. Plaintiff brought this action for injuries sustained when the car crashed into a culvert. Held, the trial court properly instructed the jury that defendant was entitled to a verdict if he was asleep at the time he kicked the front seat. The supreme court stated, "fundamentally to create liability for an act alleged to be negligent, it must be shown to have been the conscious act of a …
Death By Wrongful Act-Prior Death Of Wrongdoer, Michigan Law Review
Death By Wrongful Act-Prior Death Of Wrongdoer, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff sued for her intestate's death and conscious suffering negligently caused by defendant's intestate in an auto collision in New York. The trial judge directed a verdict for defendant on the theory that there was no evidence that defendant's intestate was still alive at the moment plaintiff's intestate was injured, and therefore no evidence of any cause of action, arising against the former in his lifetime, which could survive his death. Held, exceptions to the directed verdict overruled since the applicable New York death and survival statutes do not provide for the continuance of a cause of action which …
Conflict Of Laws-Public Policy Of The Forum A Bar To Wife's Action Against Husband For Negligent Injury, Oscar Freedenberg
Conflict Of Laws-Public Policy Of The Forum A Bar To Wife's Action Against Husband For Negligent Injury, Oscar Freedenberg
Michigan Law Review
Husband and wife were residents of state A, in which a personal tort action between the spouses was not recognized. The wife sued in state A for injuries sustained by reason of her husband's negligent operation of an automobile in state B. Notwithstanding the wife had a right of action under the lex loci delicti, held, that the public policy of the forum is an effective bar to an action by the wife against her husband for personal injuries. (In the record of the case it appears that the defendant in interest was an insurance company.) Kircher …
Negligence - Violation Of A Statute As Negligence Per Se -- Type Of Harm Prevented And Class Of Persons To Be Benefited, Michigan Law Review
Negligence - Violation Of A Statute As Negligence Per Se -- Type Of Harm Prevented And Class Of Persons To Be Benefited, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff's automobile was damaged when it collided with a horse belonging to the defendant. The animal's running at large upon the highway claimed to be in violation of a statute which required owners of stock and domestic animals to restrain and prevent such animals from running at large. Held, the purpose of the statute is to protect agricultural crops from the ravages of straying animals, and not to protect motorists on the highway; therefore, the plaintiff is not of the class of persons sought to be protected by the statute, nor his injuries of the type sought to be …
Torts - Infants - Immunity Arising From Family Relationship, Michigan Law Review
Torts - Infants - Immunity Arising From Family Relationship, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff, a twelve year old boy, was injured in an automobile accident by the admitted negligence of defendant, his sixteen year old sister. Neither child had a separate estate, both were unemancipated, unmarried, and were living at home with their parents. Held, plaintiff could recover. Rozell v. Rozell, 256 App. Div. 61, 8 N .Y. S. (2d) 901 (1939), affd. (N. Y. 1939) 22 N. E. (2d) 254.