Opinion ID: 1541730
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Nadine Garrick's Standing to Sue.

Text: Appellee Perry's Towing argues that appellant Nadine Garrick does not have standing to sue under either her common law theories or the CPPA because State Farm paid her insurance claim following the theft of her vehicle and had assumed ownership of the vehicle prior to the towing by Perry's. See Community Credit Union Servs., Inc. v. Federal Express Servs. Corp., 534 A.2d 331, 333 (D.C. 1987) (noting that plaintiffs must assert their own rights). The trial court agreed, in part, and dismissed Ms. Garrick's common law claims (I-IV); however, it did not dismiss her CPPA claims at that time. In response, appellants argue that Ms. Garrick was the owner of the vehicle and that the collateral source rule does not limit an insured from bringing legal claims against tortfeasors even if paid under the insurance claim. Appellants' argument is unavailing: because State Farm owned the vehicle at the time of the towing, the dismissal of claims I-IV as to Ms. Garrick was proper. Here, State Farm paid Ms. Garrick under the policy on June 5, 2001; Perry's did not tow the vehicle until August 22, 2001. Then, upon learning of the recovery, State Farm paid Perry's for the towing and storage charges, made repairs to the car, and then put it up for sale at auction, where Ms. Garrick re-purchased the car. Thus, though the title was still in Ms. Garrick's father's name at the time of notification, State Farm clearly exercised control over the vehicle. See Spindle v. Reid, 277 A.2d 117, 118-19 (D.C.1971) (noting that the rule in this jurisdiction [is] that registration of legal title in one's name is not conclusive as to ownership within the meaning of the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act). [9] Accordingly, the trial court's dismissal of Ms. Garrick's common law claims based on her lack of standing is affirmed. [10]