Following an accident involving a vehicle that had not been recalled survivors of the victims petitioned four of the largest rental companies to stop using unserviced vehicles. Out of the major companies Hertz was the only to pledge accordingly. Currently there is no law requiring rental car companies to have cars recalled before they are sold or rented with most companies (those who address the issue) having their own internal policies. Two senators have drafted the Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act but to date nothing has come of their proposal.
Commentary
In a roundabout way this is the sort of issue we deal with daily at my firm. The problem breaks down to profit. If the vehicles are not rented out (in other words being repaired) they arent making the companies money. This was precisely the reason Congress made it mandatory for manufacturers to issue recalls should a safety problem arise. You could even take this to another vein of our work and see why bars and restaurants are held accountable for their alcohol service. Again the problem is profit trumping accountability.
– Attorney Michael Grossman
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