Feb. 18, 2026
Rental car apps give access but not blame when a driver causes injuries
Remote car rentals aren't responsible for checking if a customer is sober--negligent entrustment requires proof the driver was known to be unfit.
Michael E. Rubinstein
Law Office of Michael E. Rubinstein
433 N Camden Drive Suite 600
Beverly Hills , CA 90210
Phone: (213) 293-6075
Fax: (323) 400-4585
Email: Michael@rabbilawyer.com
Loyola Law School; Los Angeles CA
Michael is a Los Angeles-based personal injury and accident attorney.
A rental car customer who is intoxicated gains access to a rental car by using an app on his phone. The customer and his friend go out for a drive. The customer loses control of the car and causes a collision that injures his passenger. Under a negligent entrustment theory, the passenger sues the rental car company, arguing that the rental car company had a duty to investigate whether customers are fit-to-drive when they get behind the wheel.
Is the injured passenger correct? No,...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$895, but save $100 when you subscribe today… Just $795 for the first year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In