Roman v. Bogle

The dangerous instrumentality doctrine provides that an automobile owner may be held vicariously liable for damages caused by a negligent driver who operates the vehicle with the owner’s consent. The question presented is whether application of the doctrine necessarily makes the driver an agent of the owner for purposes of determining whether the provisions of a release, which releases and discharges the owner and his “agents,” apply to relieve the negligent driver of liability.

This case involves a tragic automobile accident that took the lives of the driver of the vehicle, Lickson Gabriel,…