Dennis Is the Owner of a Successful Real Estate Company

Multiple Choice

Dennis is the owner of a successful real estate company.His agents are provided with automobiles so they can complete deals more efficiently.One of Dennis' employees takes poor care of his car and frequently produces mechanic's bills for repairs.The last bill indicated that the car was no longer mechanically safe for the road.The employee,when confronted by Dennis with the threat of legal action if he did not repay the excessive maintenance costs for the car,was uncooperative.Shortly thereafter the car,which was occupied by the employee driver and a prospective buyer,skidded out of control seriously injuring the client and destroying the vehicle.With Dennis facing legal action by the client,the employee showed no remorse,refused to compensate for any damages and again dismissed Dennis' threats of legal action.

A) The employee is liable in negligence because of the poor standard of care he exhibited in maintaining the car.
B) Dennis has no legal rights because he is the owner of the car and the employer and therefore must assume responsibility for the damages.
C) Both parties may be liable because there was mutual responsibility for the car and vicarious liability of the employer.
D) All of the above except b.
E) None of the above are true.