A RENTAL car chain has been sued for putting a driver at risk due to a major maintenance oversight that merely required a simple check.
Last month, a lawsuit was filed against Avis Car Rental, Hutchinson Inc., and Jules Toussaint after a woman claimed her husband died as a result of reckless driving and faulty tires on a rental car.
GettyThe rental car involved in the crash reportedly had tires with tread depth below the legal limit[/caption] GettyWorn tires on a rental car led to a fatal crash in Ohio, claiming the life of 69-year-old Robert Bilbrey[/caption]According to the Kansas City Star, Toussaint was driving a 2023 Dodge Charger in Brighton Township, Ohio, on January 18 under the direction of his employer, Hutchinson Inc.
The car, which had been rented by Avis Car Rental, had tires that were “worn with little to no tread,” with tread depth below the legal limit, according to the civil complaint.
The lawsuit stated that this made the car “exceptionally dangerous to operate.”
This, in turn, led to the death of 69-year-old Robert Bilbrey, according to the lawsuit.
Bilbrey was driving a 2005 Toyota Corolla in Brighton Township in road conditions that were “wet with a slush buildup on the pavement” due to rain.
The report adds that Toussaint was driving “in a negligent, reckless, and wanton manner” and lost control of his rental vehicle, crashing head-on into Bilbrey’s car.
Fire crews had to remove Bilbrey from his vehicle because of the severity of the crash, and he later died from his injuries.
Bilbrey, described as “a friend to all who helped wherever needed,” loved hunting, golfing, watching westerns, and being with his family, according to his obituary.
Toussaint was subsequently charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.
A combination of the condition of the car’s tires, Hutchinson Inc.’s reliance on Avis Car Rental, and Toussaint’s reckless driving led to Bilbrey’s death.
“We were deeply saddened by this incident, and we extend our sincerest condolences to the family impacted.
“Given pending litigation, we are unable to provide further comment,” Avis told Cleveland.com.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Toussaint, who was driving the rental car, and a passenger were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released.
The lawsuit is seeking over $75,000 in punitive damages and more than $75,000 in compensatory damages, in addition to attorney fees, costs, and expenses.
DEPTH CHECK
Recently, Doug Shupe, a spokesperson for AAA Texas, revealed what drivers need to consider when it comes to car maintenance—especially ahead of major heat waves or summer road trips.
He particularly focused on tires, stating: “If your tires are in bad shape, that could cause a blowout.”
However, a simple test is enough to help determine if your car requires new tires—and all it takes is using a quarter to gauge the depth of the tread.
When using this method, he advises drivers to make sure George Washington is upside down, and if the top of his head is visible, then it is time to change the tires.
Examining the condition of tires
As a driver, it's important to be able to identify potentially dangerous problems with tires and how to spot precursors. Here's what to look for:
Regularly examine the tread depth of the tire. It is a great way to understand how much life there is in a tire before it needs to be replaced. You can use an upside-down quarter or a penny to check the depth. If the president’s head can be fully seen, start saving for new tires. Examine the sidewall for cracks or bubbles, especially after colliding with a curb or median. A bubble may not show up immediately, so it’s important to keep an eye on it for a while before dismissing it. When inflating a tire with a digital pressure reader, always zero it out before plugging it into the valve to ensure previous data is erased. Have your tires regularly balanced and rotated at the proper intervals, as tire inspections are a part of the service. Understand the warranty (if any) that came with the tires. Many times new tires will have a warranty for certain types of damage, and that can help get a damaged tire replaced for free or at a discount. Learn to read the sidewall of a tire. Even if the tread is within spec, a tire can still be dangerous if it’s too old.Source: Columbus Nissan
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