Source: http://openjurist.org/512/f2d/1294/reid-v-volkswagen-of-america-inc
Timestamp: 2013-12-09 09:10:34
Document Index: 689089997

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 19', '§ 440', '§ 19', '§ 440', '§ 600', '§ 440']

512 F2d 1294 Reid v. Volkswagen of America Inc | OpenJurist
512 F. 2d 1294 - Reid v. Volkswagen of America Inc	Home512 f2d 1294 reid v. volkswagen of america inc
512 F2d 1294 Reid v. Volkswagen of America Inc 512 F.2d 1294
16 UCC Rep.Serv. 743
Barbara J. REID, Plaintiff-Appellant,v.VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC., a Foreign Corporation,Defendant-Appellee.
William J. Garlington, Garlington & Smiley, Jack R. Sluiter, Wyoming, Mich., for plaintiff-appellant.
Peter R. Tolley, Vander Veen, Freihofer & Cook, Grand Rapids, Mich., for defendant-appellee.
The diversity of citizenship jurisdiction of the federal courts requires us to decide this close, complicated and undecided question of Michigan law. It also requires us to risk "the hazards of prophecy"1 as to how the Michigan Supreme Court will ultimately decide the same issue. Although our decision itself may directly affect relatively few Michigan cases, it could, if similarly decided by the Michigan Supreme Court, have enduring ramifications on Michigan's products liability law. If the Michigan Supreme Court ultimately decides to adopt a different view than ours, that too will have wide ranging results, and it would leave our instant decision applicable only to the case immediately at hand.
The facts underlying this appeal as alleged in plaintiff's complaint are simple-if that cannot be said of anything else which will follow.
Barbara Reid, the plaintiff, was injured April 19, 1969, when the new Volkswagen which she was driving was struck from the rear by another automobile. Plaintiff had purchased the Volkswagen approximately one month earlier from an authorized Volkswagen dealer. Plaintiff alleges that the Volkswagen she was driving was manufactured and distributed by defendant-appellee, Volkswagen of America, Inc. She also alleges that she was injured in the accident by reason of the fact that on impact, the left front seat of the Volkswagen broke loose from the floor of the car, causing plaintiff to be thrown about the car, resulting in injuries for which she seeks damages.
On August 14, 1972, plaintiff filed this suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Southern Division, claiming that her injuries resulted from defendant's breach of express and implied warranties of fitness of the automobile, citing two sections of Michigan's Uniform Commercial Code, M.S.A. § 19.2313 (M.C.L.A. § 440.2313 (1967)) and M.S.A. § 19.2315 (M.C.L.A. § 440.2315 (1967)).
The filing date was more than three years and less than four years after the happening of the accident. Defendant promptly filed an answer, claiming plaintiff's claim was barred by the general statute of limitations. M.C.L.A. § 600.5805 (1968), which provides:
No person may bring or maintain any action to recover damages for injuries to persons or property unless, after the claim first accrued to himself or to someone through whom he claims, he commences the action within the periods of time prescribed by this section.
(1) The period of limitations is 2 years for actions charging assault, battery, and false imprisonment.
(2) The period of limitations is 2 years for actions charging malicious prosecution.
(3) The period of limitations is 2 years for actions charging malpractice.
(4) The period of limitations is 2 years for actions against sheriffs charging misconduct or neglect of office by themselves or their deputies.
(5) The period of limitations is 2 years after the expiration of the year for which a constable was elected for actions based on his negligence or misconduct as constable.
(6) The period of limitations is 1 year for actions charging libel or slander.
(7) The period of limitations is 3 years for all other actions to recover damages for injuries to persons and property. (Emphasis added.)
Plaintiff thereupon moved to strike defendant's affirmative defense, citing M.C.L.A. § 440.2725(1) (1967), the Michigan Uniform Commercial Code limitation section for contract actions applicable when consequential damages include personal injuries, which provides:
Statute of li