The parking garage in Bob's office building offers a valet parking service at no extra charge for customers in a hurry.The customer leaves the car with the keys in it just outside the attendant's booth.The attendant then parks the car somewhere in the garage and retains the keys until the customer returns.If a car is damaged after it is parked by the valet attendant

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A bailment exists because the valet attendant has taken possession of the customer's car and retained the keys. Therefore, the garage operator, as the bailee, owes a duty of care to properly care for and protect the customer's car. If the car is damaged while in the custody of the garage operator (or the valet attendant), the operator may be held liable for the damages. The fact that the valet service is a free add-on does not change the nature of the bailment, and the garage operator cannot escape liability by simply claiming that the valet service was a gratuitous bailment.

The Parking Garage in Bob's Office Building Offers a Valet