MCCOY V. AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP., 961 P.2d 952 (1998) CASE BRIEF

McCOY V. AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

961 P.2d 952 (1998)

NATURE OF THE CASE: McCoy (P) brought a product liability suit against Suzuki (D). The Superior Court, reversed the grant of summary judgment to D. D appealed.

FACTS: McCoy (P) stopped to assist with a Suzuki Samurai driving in front of him that had swerved off the road and rolled. P stopped and rendered assistance and shortly thereafter a State Patrol Officer arrived. P was asked to place flares and by his own judgment positioned himself 1/4 mile from the accident scene with a lit flare in each hand manually directing traffic to the inside lane. Two hours after the accident, the driver was removed and the scene was cleared. P returned to his car with a lit flare in his roadside hand. When P was within three to four car lengths of the State trooper, the trooper pulled out without comment. Moments later, P was struck from behind while still walking on the roadway's shoulder by a hit and run driver. P filed a complaint against the driver of the Suzuki for negligence, the passenger of that car for grabbing the steering wheel, the State for the negligence of the trooper, and D and its parent corporation for the defective Samurai which allegedly caused the wreck in the first place. The only claim being presently considered is that against D. D moved for summary judgment asserting that the rescue doctrine does not apply to product liability actions and even if it did, P cannot prove that D proximately caused the injuries. The lower court dismissed and the appeals court reversed. The court of appeals found that P demonstrated sufficient facts of rescuer status to put the issue of whether he met the four requirements to the jury.

ISSUE:

RULE OF LAW:

HOLDING AND DECISION:

LEGAL ANALYSIS:

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