Abbott v. Secretary of State

This appeal arises out of an automobile accident involving plaintiff-appellant Abbott, an uninsured motorist. Abbott was sued for damages but failed to appear or defend that action. The Secretary of State was notified of Abbott’s failure to appear and entered an appearance "on behalf of * * * Jimmy Dean Abbott * * * and as intervening defendant pursuant to [MCL 257.1108(2); MSA 9.2808(2)]”. After the Secretary’s representative failed to appear at a pretrial conference, a default judgment was entered against Abbott.

Abbott filed the instant action in the Court of Claims, 2 seeking damages for…