Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users

TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS -- (House of Representatives - March 09, 2005)

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Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Missouri for yielding me time, and I do support the Graves-Boucher amendment.

This commonsense amendment would prevent car and truck rental companies from being held liable for injury and property damage in situations where they are not at fault. Currently, some States allow vehicle rental companies to be held vicariously liable. This means they are held responsible even when they are not at fault.

When a company rents a car or truck and has no way to foresee or prevent an accident, they should not be held liable simply because they have deep pockets. The Graves-Boucher amendment would create a national standard, providing that vehicle rental companies can only be held liable in situations where they have actually been negligent. This amendment in no way lets companies off the hook when they have been negligent.

Mr. Chairman, I support the Graves-Boucher amendment because it requires the legal system to treat vehicle rental companies fairly.

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