New Law May Keep Rental Companies From Renting Dangerous Cars
Congress is considering a bill that would help to keep recalled rental car vehicles off the road.
October 19, 2012
It all began with a horrible accident in 2004. Two sisters rented a Chrysler PT Cruiser from Enterprise Rental Car Company and were driving it on the highway when it suddenly caught fire leading to a crash with an oncoming commercial truck. Unfortunately, both sisters were killed in the auto accident.One of the more frustrating aspects of this accident is the fact that it was avoidable. The vehicle that was rented to the sisters was under a safety recall for a potential fire hazard. Had Enterprise rented the sisters another vehicle, the accident may never have happened.
Unfortunately, Enterprise negligently rented the 20 and 24 year-old sisters the vehicle without providing them with any information about the safety recall. As a result, the girls were unaware of the vehicle's dangers.
New Bill Aims to Prevent Similar Accidents in the Future
In response to this and similar accidents caused by rental cars that are subject to safety recalls, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill that requires rental car companies to repair such vehicles before allowing them to be rented to customers.
The Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act of 2012, named after the two sisters involved in the PT Cruiser crash, would not only require rental companies to repair vehicles before renting them out but would also require the companies to contact renters of problematic vehicles when notification of a recall is received.
Notification of a recall is sent to the owners of the vehicle in question, in this case the car rental companies by car manufacturers and automakers. These companies often send multiple recall notices to owners. In the case of the engine fire recall responsible for the tragic deaths above, General Motors reportedly sent out over a dozen letters in a span of three years.
Recalls can range from the minor ones, like windshield wiper motor malfunctions, to the more serious, including engine fires, driveshaft detachments and brake failures. Passage of this bill would require that all safety related recalls to be fixed before the vehicle returns to the rental fleet.
Even if the bill does not pass, rental companies may be held legally responsible for the injuries of others in these situations. If you or a loved one is injured due to the negligent actions of a rental company, compensation may be available to cover medical and rehabilitative expenses as well as pain and suffering.
Every situation is unique. As a result, it is wise to contact an experienced auto accident lawyer to discuss your legal options and better protect your rights and remedies.
Article provided by Eisenberg Rothweiler Winkler Eisenberg & Jeck PC
Visit us at www.erlegal.com