Court Opinion

ID: 9564974
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:12:40.070105+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:17.743055
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Rehearing.
Chevrolet contends in its motion for rehearing that there was no specific allegation in the petition that the acts of its agent, Muell, were within the scope of his employment and that it thus fails to meet the standard of Lewis v. Amorous, 3 Ga. App. 50, supra, and similar cases. While it is true that there was no such allegation in the petition, it is also trae that as against a general demurrer a general allegation of agency is sufficient. Conney v. Atlantic Greyhound Corp., 81 Ga. App. 324 (2) (58 SE2d 559). Further, in the action here plaintiff seeks to recover from Chevrolet because of defective construction, of which it is alleged in paragraph 13 of the petition, as amended, that “both said defendants having had notice of the improper functioning of said steering gear and front wheels on said truck.” In other parts of the petition, it is alleged that the purchaser, Wood, on several occasions called Muell, an agent of Chevrolet, and informed him of the malfunctioning of the steering and wheels. If, as is alleged here, Chevrolet had notice of the defect prior to the time when, because of the defect, the steering mechanism failed and plaintiff was damaged, we do not think any insulation from liability on its part to a stranger, such as plaintiff here, results merely because somebody else may also have learned about the defect. Under such circumstances we do not think the rale of Harley v. General Motors Corp., 97 Ga. App. 348, supra, and Elrod v. King, 105 Ga. App. 46, supra, requires any different result.

Motion denied.