BSP Wins Dismissal of an Action for Vicarious Owner’s Liability and Negligent Entrustment

Representing U-Haul Co. of Michigan (“UHMI”), BSP attorneys Moheeb H. Murray and Luis E. Gomez won dismissal of an action for vicarious owner’s liability and negligent entrustment in the Wayne County Circuit Court. The plaintiff alleged he sustained serious injuries as a passenger in a Lyft vehicle that was rear-ended by a U-Haul truck that purportedly fled the scene. In its dispositive motion, UHMI argued the plaintiff had not established that UHMI owned the alleged U-Haul truck or that the driver of that truck was an authorized driver under a lease agreement. UHMI also argued that the owner’s liability claim is barred by the Graves Amendment to the Federal Transportation Equity Act of 2006. The Court agreed, granted UHMI’s motion, and dismissed both claims against UHMI with prejudice.