United States Eighth Circuit

In an action against defendant arising out of injuries plaintiffs sustained when they were struck by a vehicle on which defendant held a lease, dismissal of the action is affirmed where: 1) because Iowa law applied to plaintiffs' claims, and Iowa law did not impose a $50,000 damages cap on plaintiffs' claim, diversity jurisdiction existed; 2) absent any direct negligence or criminal wrongdoing by defendant, the Graves Amendment protected defendant from owner liability during the period of the lease; and 3) the driver's financial irresponsibility and failure to obtain insurance did not pose an unreasonable risk of physical harm to others.

Appellate Information

• Decided 07/13/2010
• Published 07/13/2010

Judges

• William J. Riley

Court

• United States Eighth Circuit

Counsel