Anthony Robinson v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to

revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.

STATE OF MICHIGAN

COURT OF APPEALS

ANTHONY ROBINSON, UNPUBLISHED

September 5, 2024

Plaintiff-Appellee,

v No. 367081

Wayne Circuit Court

STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE LC No. 22-000241-NI

INSURANCE COMPANY, KAREN MARIA

FARMER,

Defendants,

and

CITY OF DETROIT,

Defendant-Appellant.

Before: GADOLA, C.J., and PATEL and YOUNG, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

This case is a third-party no fault action by plaintiff, Anthony Robinson, to recover

damages for noneconomic loss under MCL 500.3135(1). Defendant, the City of Detroit (“the

City”), appeals as of right the July 19, 2023 order denying its motion for summary disposition

under MCR 2.116(C)(7) (immunity granted by law) and (C)(10) (genuine dispute of material

fact).1 The City seeks reversal of the circuit court’s order, arguing the circuit court erred in denying

summary disposition to the City when (1) Robinson failed to plead his claims against the City in

1

Robinson also filed a claim against Karen Maria Farmer, a City of Detroit employee and the

driver of the bus that collided with Robinson’s vehicle and brought rise to his complaint.

Robinson’s claim against Farmer was summarily dismissed on MCR 2.116(C)(7) grounds. Farmer

does not participate in this appeal, but Farmer and the City are referred to as “defendants” when

necessary because they collectively brought a motion for summary disposition against Robinson

in this matter.

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avoidance of governmental immunity; and (2) there was no genuine dispute of material fact that

Farmer was not negligent in her operation of the bus, which entitled the City to a judgment as a

matter of law. We affirm the circuit court’s order denying summary disposition to the City on

MCR 2.116(C)(7) grounds, but reverse the circuit court’s order denying summary disposition to

the City on (C)(10) grounds.

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

This case arises from a motor vehicle collision that occurred between Robinson’s 2003

Ford Mercury and a 2017 New Flyer City of Detroit Bus (“the bus”) driven by Farmer on April

15, 2021. Robinson alleged that he was driving southbound on Greenfield Road in Detroit when

the bus struck him. At his deposition, Robinson testified he was driving to a friend’s house and

was getting ready to make a U-turn. Robinson said he saw the bus behind him and drove past the

bus to pull over, but as he was passing the bus, “[t]he next thing I know my car is turning around.

The bus hit me and took me on down the street.” He also testified “[the bus] hit me on the side

and hacked me sideways mostly.” Later in his deposition, Robinson’s account of the collision

changed slightly: “[The bus] kind of just like spinned [sic] me around. It didn’t move me like

dragging me down the street or nothing like that, it turned the vehicle completely around.”

On January 7, 2022, Robinson filed a complaint against the City, Farmer, and State Farm

Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (“State Farm”). Count I was a claim for tort liability for

noneconomic loss under MCL 500.3135(1). Within Count I, Robinson alleged Farmer was

negligent for reckless driving under MCL 257.626, MCL 257.626(b), and MCL 257.627(1), and

that as a direct and proximate result, Farmer was liable for Robinson’s injuries. Counts II and III

of the complaint made allegations against State Farm. Although the City is listed as a party in the

caption of the complaint, Robinson made no specific allegations against the City and did not

reference the Government Tort Liability Act (GTLA), MCL 691.1401 et seq., anywhere in the

complaint.

Defendants responded to Robinson’s complaint, asserting governmental immunity from

tort liability under the GTLA, and collectively filed a motion for summary disposition under MCR

2.116(C)(7) (governmental immunity) and (C)(10) (no genuine dispute of material fact).

Defendants’ motion accurately described the video footage as follows:

Contrary to the allegations in [Robinson’s] Complaint and deposition testimony,

the [bus] video shows that [Robinson], who was initially operating his vehicle in

the left lane of southbound Greenfield, changed lanes from the left lane to the right

lane and proceeded to merge further right, towards the curb, and into the path of

the City [bus], as the [bus] traveled closely alongside the curb at a low speed.

[Robinson] entered the lane of travel of the [bus] without checking for or clearing

traffic, and without turn signals. . . . There is nothing in the video that demonstrates

the [bus] attempted to change lanes or veer left. Nothing in the video suggests the

[bus] was exceeding the speed limit or accelerated to prevent [Robinson] from

overtaking the [bus]. Further, the video depicts [] Farmer driving at a low and very

reasonable speed.

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Defendants argued Robinson’s claims should be dismissed under MCR 2.116(C)(7)

because Robinson failed to plead in avoidance of governmental immunity and further specify

which exception to governmental immunity applied to his claim. Defendants also argued

Robinson’s claims should be dismissed under MCR 2.116(C)(10) because: (1) the video footage

directly and specifically contradicted Robinson’s account of the accident; (2) there was no genuine

dispute of material fact on the basis of the video footage that the City was not negligent in operating

the bus; and (3) Farmer did not operate the bus in willful or wanton disregard for safety, or at a

speed greater than reasonable. Defendants instead contended Robinson’s claims should be

dismissed because he violated the traffic laws he accused Farmer of violating. Lastly, defendants

argued a claim against Farmer was barred because Robinson could not prove Farmer engaged in

gross negligence, the standard proscribed by the GTLA for suing government employees in their

personal capacity. See MCL 691.1407(2)(c).

At the hearing on defendants’ motion, defendants urged the circuit court to adopt the

account of the accident captured on video rather than the account given by Robinson in his

complaint and deposition. Robinson merely argued at the hearing that he saw the video differently,

and his different perspective created a genuine issue of fact. After hearing the parties’ arguments,

the circuit court stated whether the City was negligent in operating the bus was a “tough call,”

which created a question of fact regarding negligence and whether the exception to governmental

immunity applied. The City’s motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7) and

(C)(10) was denied. The circuit court also held that because the standard for holding a government

employee personally liable under the GTLA is gross negligence, and Robinson failed to plead

Farmer committed gross negligence, no cause of action could be sustained against Farmer.

Robinson’s claim against Farmer was dismissed with prejudice.2 The City now appeals.3

II. ANALYSIS

A. STANDARDS OF REVIEW

We review de novo a trial court’s decision on a motion for summary disposition. El-Khalil

v Oakwood Healthcare, Inc, 504 Mich 152, 159; 934 NW2d 665 (2019). Under MCR 2.116(C)(7),

a party may move for summary disposition on the ground that governmental immunity bars the

claim. “[T]he determination regarding the applicability of governmental immunity and a statutory

exception to governmental immunity is a question of law that is also subject to review de novo.”

Snead v John Carlo, Inc, 294 Mich App 343, 354; 813 NW2d 294 (2011).

2

The circuit court does not specify under which grounds it denied the City summary disposition,

but it appears the court denied summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7) and (C)(10) on the

basis of the issues raised on appeal, and that in order to decide the motion on (C)(10) grounds, the

circuit court would need to engage in a (C)(7) inquiry – that is – determine whether the negligent-

operation exception to the GTLA applies or dismiss because the GTLA would bar the claim

entirely. We likewise analyze both summary disposition grounds.

3

The circuit court ordered a stay of proceedings pending the resolution of this appeal.

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When reviewing a motion under MCR 2.116(C)(7), we must accept as true and construe in

the nonmoving party’s favor all well-pleaded factual allegations unless other evidence contradicts

them. Marilyn Froling Revocable Trust v Bloomfield Hills Country Club, 283 Mich App 264, 278;

769 NW2d 234 (2009). The same is true for any affidavits, depositions, or other admissible

documentary evidence submitted by the parties. Id. “If there are no questions of fact, whether the

claim is barred is a matter of law.” Kilian v TCF Nat’l Bank, 343 Mich App 621, 630; 997 NW2d

745 (2022).

A motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10), which tests the factual

sufficiency of the plaintiff’s claim, is properly granted when there is no genuine issue of material

fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. El-Khalil, 504 Mich at 160.

“A genuine issue of material fact exists when the record leaves open an issue on which reasonable

minds could differ.” Bennett v Detroit Police Chief, 274 Mich App 307, 317; 732 NW2d 164

(2006). When reviewing the trial court’s decision to grant or deny summary disposition under

MCR 2.116(C)(10), we consider the parties’ documentary evidence in the light most favorable to

the party opposing the motion. Johnson, 502 Mich at 761. “[R]eview is limited to the evidence

that had been presented to the circuit court at the time the motion was decided.” Innovative Adult

Foster Care, Inc v Ragin, 285 Mich App 466, 476; 776 NW2d 398 (2009).

The moving party may satisfy its burden under MCR 2.116(C)(10) by “submit[ting]

affirmative evidence that negates an essential element of the nonmoving party’s claim,” or by

“demonstrat[ing] to the court that the nonmoving party’s evidence is insufficient to establish an

essential element of the nonmoving party’s claim.” Quinto v Cross & Peters Co, 451 Mich 358,

362; 547 NW2d 314 (1996). After the movant has satisfied its burden, the nonmovant’s burden to

avoid summary disposition is to “go beyond the pleadings to set forth specific facts showing that

a genuine issue of material fact exists.” Id. at 363. If the nonmovant fails to do so, then the motion

is properly granted. Id.

B. MCR 2.116(C)(7)

The City argues on appeal that because Robinson failed to plead in avoidance of

governmental immunity, his claim against the City should be dismissed under MCR 2.116(C)(7).

The City is correct to note that Robinson’s complaint is devoid of any mention of the GTLA.

Nonetheless, the pleaded claim fits within an enumerated statutory exception to government

immunity.

“Except as otherwise provided, the government tort liability act . . . broadly shields and

grants to governmental agencies immunity from tort liability when an agency is engaged in the

exercise or discharge of a governmental function.” Moraccini v Sterling Hts, 296 Mich App 387,

391; 822 NW2d 799 (2012). MCL 691.1407(1). Whether the GTLA applies requires establishing

the defendant is (1) a governmental agency that is (2) engaged in a governmental function. Id.

The parties do not dispute the City is a governmental agency and the operation of a city bus is a

governmental function mandated by the city charter. Further,

[t]he existence and scope of governmental immunity was solely a creation of the

courts until the Legislature enacted the GTLA in 1964, which codified several

exceptions to governmental immunity that permit a plaintiff to pursue a claim

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against a governmental agency. A governmental agency can be held liable under

the GTLA only if a case falls into one of the enumerated statutory exceptions. An

activity that is expressly or impliedly authorized or mandated by constitution,

statute, local charter, ordinance, or other law constitutes a government function.

[Id. at 391-392 (quotation marks and citations omitted).]

Among the six exceptions to governmental immunity enumerated in the GTLA is the motor vehicle

exception, or negligent-operation exception, MCL 691.1405, which states: “Governmental

agencies shall be liable for bodily injury and property damage resulting from the negligent

operation by an officer, agent, or employee of the governmental agency, of a motor vehicle of

which the governmental agency is owner . . . .”

Mack v City of Detroit, 467 Mich 186, 197-198, 203; 649 NW2d 47 (2002) addresses the

viability of a plaintiff’s complaint pertaining to governmental immunity, and clarifies that

governmental immunity is a “characteristic of government” such that a “plaintiff must plead her

case in avoidance of immunity.” Our Supreme Court in Mack states:

[B]y its terms, the GTLA provides that unless one of the [] statutory exceptions

applies, a governmental agency is protected by immunity. The presumption is,

therefore, that a governmental agency is immune and can only be subject to suit if

a plaintiff’s case falls within a statutory exception. As such, it is the responsibility

of the party seeking to impose liability on a governmental agency to demonstrate

that its case falls within one of the exceptions. [Id. at 201.]

“A plaintiff pleads in avoidance of governmental immunity by stating a claim that fits within a

statutory exception or by pleading facts that demonstrate that the alleged tort occurred during the

exercise or discharge of a nongovernmental or proprietary function.” Id. at 203 (emphasis added).

Robinson made no mention of governmental immunity with respect to any of his claims. The first

time the GTLA appeared in the pleadings was when the City listed it as an affirmative defense.

But Robinson pleaded facts alleging that Farmer, a city employee, was negligent in operating the

bus, which would fall squarely within the negligent-operation exception to the GTLA. Therefore,

we uphold the circuit court’s order denying summary disposition on MCR 2.116(C)(7) grounds

because Robinson successfully pleaded in avoidance of governmental immunity.

B. MCR 2.116(C)(10)

The circuit court erred in denying summary disposition in favor of the City under

MCR 2.116(C)(10) because the video footage clearly shows there is no genuine dispute of material

fact that Robinson was at fault for the accident.

The City argues the circuit court erred by ruling the video evidence presented a close call

regarding who was at fault for the accident, and the circuit court should not have paid any mind to

Robinson’s allegations and testimony despite that he was the non-moving party. Robinson alleged

in his complaint that Farmer, as an employee of the City, owed a duty to Robinson to drive with

due care and caution, and breached her duty when she: (1) failed to refrain from reckless driving

in violation of MCL 257.626; (2) failed to refrain from careless and negligent driving in violation

of MCL 257.626(b); and (3) failed to drive at a speed that would maintain a safe, clear distance

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between the bus and Robinson’s vehicle in violation of MCL 257.627(1), among other traffic

violations.

MCL 257.626, the reckless driving statute, penalizes driving with willful or wanton

disregard for the safety of others. Because Robinson’s claim against Farmer was dismissed for

failure to allege gross negligence, we need not analyze whether reckless driving occurred.

MCL 257.626(b) penalizes operating a vehicle in a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger

another person, but without wantonness or recklessness. MCL 257.627(1), regarding speed

restrictions on Michigan roads, states:

An individual operating a vehicle on a highway shall operate that vehicle at a

careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper,

having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other

condition existing at the time. An individual shall not operate a vehicle on a

highway at a speed greater than that which will permit a stop within the assured,

clear distance ahead.

A finding of negligence requires establishment of the following elements: “(1) duty, (2)

breach, (3) causation, and (4) damages.” Hannay v Dep’t of Transp, 497 Mich 45, 63; 860 NW2d

67 (2014) (quotation marks and citation omitted). At issue here is the second element, whether

Farmer breached the standard of care when operating the bus, and specifically, whether she

violated the statutes Robinson cites in his complaint.4 “Ordinary care means the care that a

reasonably careful person would use under the circumstances.” Case v Consumers Power Co, 463

Mich 1, 7; 615 NW2d 17 (2000). Whether a defendant’s conduct fell below this standard is usually

a question for the jury. Id. The mere happening of an accident is not, by itself, evidence of

negligence. Whitmore v Sears, Roebuck & Co, 89 Mich App 3, 9; 279 NW2d 318 (1979).5 A

plaintiff must present some evidence, other than the fact that an accident occurred, that either

directly or circumstantially establishes a defendant’s negligence. Id.

“When opposing parties tell two different stories, one of which is blatantly contradicted by

the record, so that no reasonable jury could believe it, a court should not adopt that version of the

facts for purposes of ruling on a motion for summary judgment.” Scott v Harris, 550 US 372, 380;

4

A plaintiff can provide evidence of negligence showing that a defendant violated a provision of the

Michigan Vehicle Code, MCL 257.1 et seq. See Rodriguez v Solar of Mich, Inc, 191 Mich App 483,

487; 478 NW2d 914 (1991) (citation omitted). “Violation of a statute by a plaintiff or a defendant

creates a prima facie case from which a jury may draw an inference of negligence.” Id. at 487-488.

5

Although we are required to follow cases decided on or after November 1, 1990, see MCR

7.215(J)(1), a published case decided by this Court “has precedential effect under the rule of stare

decisis,” MCR 7.215(C)(2). See also Woodring v Phoenix Ins Co, 325 Mich App 108, 114-115;

923 NW2d 607 (2018) (stating that although this Court is not “strictly required to follow

uncontradicted opinions from this Court decided before November 1, 1990,” those opinions are

nonetheless “considered to be precedent and entitled to significantly greater deference than are

unpublished cases”) (emphasis omitted).

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127 S Ct 1769; 167 L Ed 2d 686 (2007).6 In this case, the parties presented different accounts of

how the accident unfolded and Robinson’s account blatantly contradicted the record. Even though

review of an order denying summary disposition directs us to view the evidence in Robinson’s

favor as the nonmoving party, Johnson, 502 Mich at 761, we cannot adopt Robinson’s account of

the facts in light of his departure from the facts presented in the video.

The video provided by the City here is clear and wholly contradicts Robinson’s pleadings

and deposition testimony in the following ways: (1) when Farmer checked her driver’s side rear-

view mirror, Robinson’s vehicle was still near the rear of the bus and had not begun to pass the

bus at an accelerated rate; (2) when Farmer checked her mirror, Robinson had not begun to merge

from the left lane into the right lane; (3) contrary to Robinson’s answer to defendants’ motion for

summary disposition, which accused Farmer of merging into the left lane of Greenfield Road, the

video depicts the bus remained fully in the right lane and did not veer to the left toward Robinson’s

vehicle or into his path; (4) contrary to Robinson’s deposition testimony, the video shows the bus

was never behind him, i.e. he did not fully pass the bus, before he drove into its direct path; (5) the

video shows Robinson did not use any turn signals before merging into the bus’s direct path; (6)

contrary to his deposition testimony, on impact, the bus did not continue dragging Robinson’s

vehicle down southbound Greenfield Road; and (7) the video shows that while Robinson

approached from the left lane, swerved into the right lane, and cut off the bus while appearing to

try to turn into a driveway on Greenfield Road, the bus remained alongside the right shoulder,

reaching a maximum of 11 miles per hour at the point of impact, and accelerating to 18 miles per

hour before pulling over to the right shoulder after the accident occurred.

Finally, photographic evidence attached to defendants’ motion for summary disposition,

shows skid marks on Greenfield Road in the middle of the right lane, far from the white broken

line that divides the left and right lane. The skid marks show just how far into the right lane

Robinson had merged when the collision occurred, and evidence even further that the bus did not

merge left to cause the collision. Given how well documented the accident is, there can be no

genuine dispute of fact that Farmer did not operate the bus in a careless and negligent manner in

violation of MCL 257.626(b). Farmer also drove at a slow and steady speed and was not given

enough time to maintain a safe, clear distance between the bus and Robinson’s vehicle under MCL

257.627(1) because Robinson quickly cut her off. From the video footage, it is clear that Farmer’s

conduct bore no causal connection to the accident, and therefore, Robinson’s injuries. And having

produced no evidence from which a reasonable juror could conclude that Farmer violated the

Michigan Vehicle Code, Robinson’s claim against the City should be dismissed.

6

See also Jewett v Mesick Consol Sch Dist, 332 Mich App 462, 476; 957 NW2d 377 (2020) (citing

Scott, 550 US at 378-381 for the proposition that “[a] conflict in the evidence may generally only

be removed from the trier of fact’s consideration if it is based on testimony that is essentially

impossible or is irreconcilably contradicted by unassailable and objective record evidence.”).

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III. CONCLUSION

The circuit court erred in denying the City’s motion for under MCR 2.116(C)(10) where

there is no genuine dispute of material fact that Farmer, a City employee, was not at fault for the

accident. We reverse the circuit court’s order denying summary disposition on (C)(10) grounds

and remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion. We do not retain jurisdiction.

/s/ Michael F. Gadola

/s/ Sima G. Patel

/s/ Adrienne N. Young

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