Court Opinion

ID: 3502250
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-05 22:09:05.30077+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:54:55.405035
License: Public Domain

Dr. Fred C. Warnshuis of Grand Rapids, Michigan, carried automobile insurance with the plaintiff company. His automobile was damaged while being driven by Hammond Babb, an employee of the defendant Grand Rapids Garages, Inc. He made a claim under his policy. Settlement was made by the plaintiff who then became subrogated *Page 33 
to his rights. Defendants denied liability for the damages and hence this suit.
The testimony shows that Dr. Warnshuis requested the Grand Rapids Garages to furnish him a man to drive his car from Grand Rapids to Manistee and return. The defendant Babb was selected for that purpose. It was a service for hire. He made the trip to Manistee in safety, but, on his return, the automobile ran off the road and was badly damaged. The record does not show the cause of the accident. The theory of the plaintiff's case is that Dr. Warnshuis and the Grand Rapids Garages entered into a contract of bailment whereby the doctor delivered possession of his automobile, in good condition, to be driven from Grand Rapids to Manistee and back and returned to him in as good condition as when it was received by the Grand Rapids Garages; that it was returned in a damaged condition; and that these facts establish a prima facie case of negligence against the Grand Rapids Garages under 1 Comp. Laws 1929, §§ 4796-4800. This theory made no favorable appeal to the trial court, and he directed a verdict against the plaintiff.
The evidence does not show a bailment. The doctor did not deliver his car to the defendant Grand Rapids Garages. The contract was that the defendant should send a driver to the Bronson garage, where the car was stored, drive it to Manistee with Mrs. Warnshuis and her brother, and return it to the Bronson garage. The contract was not as plaintiff claims — to transport the car to Manistee. All the defendant was required to do was to furnish a chauffeur. It was a contract for the personal service of a servant. There was no bailment about it, and, as there was no bailment, the statute relied on by the plaintiff has no application. The facts established *Page 34 
did not make a prima facie case of negligence against the Grand Rapids Garages; and, as there was no showing of negligence on the part of the driver of the car, the court correctly directed a verdict as to both of them. The judgment is affirmed, with costs to the defendants.
CLARK, C.J., and POTTER, SHARPE, NORTH, FEAD, WIEST, and BUTZEL, JJ., concurred.