GARAGE KEEPER'S LIABILITY

Act 391 of 1919

AN ACT to protect the owners of motor vehicles, entrusting the same for any purpose, to the care, custody or control of the owner or keeper of a public garage or other establishment where such motor vehicles are so accepted for hire or gain.


History: 1919, Act 391, Eff. Aug. 14, 1919




The People of the State of Michigan enact:


256.541 Garage keeper; prima facie evidence of negligence.

Sec. 1.

     Whenever any damage shall be done to any motor vehicle while in the possession or under the care, custody or control of the owner, his agent or servant, or the keeper of any public garage or other establishment where such vehicle shall have been accepted for hire or gain, proof of such damage shall be prima facie evidence that such damage was the result of the negligent act of such owner or keeper of the place where such vehicle was stored.


History: 1919, Act 391, Eff. Aug. 14, 1919 ;-- CL 1929, 4796 ;-- CL 1948, 256.541





256.542 Garage keeper; prima facie evidence of conversion.

Sec. 2.

     If any integral part, appliance or equipment, any spare tire fastened to such motor vehicle or any part, appliance or equipment locked in or to such vehicle shall be removed or shall disappear therefrom while such vehicle is so held, proof of such removal or disappearance shall be prima facie evidence of conversion by the owner or keeper of the garage or other establishment where such vehicle was so held.


History: 1919, Act 391, Eff. Aug. 14, 1919 ;-- CL 1929, 4797 ;-- CL 1948, 256.542





256.543 Examination of vehicle and notice of loss; requirement.

Sec. 3.

     The provisions of this act shall not apply unless the owner of a motor vehicle so placed in any public garage or other establishment as herein provided, shall examine the same before leaving such garage or other establishment or the grounds or street immediately adjacent thereto, and, upon discovery of any loss or damage, forthwith notify the owner or keeper of such garage or other establishment of the loss or damage claimed.


History: 1919, Act 391, Eff. Aug. 14, 1919 ;-- CL 1929, 4798 ;-- CL 1948, 256.543





256.544 Statements of vehicle condition; forms; refusal to sign, effect.

Sec. 4.

     The owner or keeper of any such garage or other establishment may provide blank forms upon which a description of the condition of any motor vehicle when so left in his care, may be noted; and when so provided and properly filled out in duplicate, he may require the owner of such motor vehicle to sign the same before leaving such vehicle. And if such a signed description is made, the owner or keeper of the garage or other establishment shall deliver a copy thereof to the owner of the vehicle. Refusal by the owner of such vehicle to sign such form shall be a bar to recovery under this act.


History: 1919, Act 391, Eff. Aug. 14, 1919 ;-- CL 1929, 4799 ;-- CL 1948, 256.544





256.545 Contracts nullifying act; invalidity.

Sec. 5.

     This act is hereby declared to be in the interest of public policy and no contract nullifying the provisions hereof shall be valid.


History: 1919, Act 391, Eff. Aug. 14, 1919 ;-- CL 1929, 4800 ;-- Am. 1933, Act 218, Eff. Oct. 17, 1933 ;-- Am. 1937, Act 208, Imd. Eff. July 21, 1937 ;-- CL 1948, 256.545



Rendered 8/15/2025 6:21 PM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov