William S. Cook

William Cook (Partner-Michigan) and Brian Del Gatto (RMP-Phoenix) secured summary judgment in favor of a Canadian insurance company's insured involving a motor vehicle accident. The insured's car was stolen and later involved in an accident. Despite this, the plaintiff injured in the accident tried to sue the insured arguing she was liable for the accident as the owner of the vehicle. William and Brian argued that under Michigan law an owner is vicariously liable only for the acts of someone operating his or her vehicle if the person was driving the car with the owner's consent. The insured obviously did not consent here since her car was stolen. The Wayne County, Michigan, Circuit Court agreed and dismissed the case.