Last week, a mother who lost her two girls in a 2004 fiery crash involving a rental car that was under a safety recall was able to get Enterprise Holdings to pay attention to her plea.
The PT Cruiser Cally Houck’s daughters Raechel and Jacqueline Houck were driving had been recalled because of a power steering fluid problem. The power steering fluid apparently caught fire as the girls drove the car and caused the girls to lose control of the vehicle, drive across a grassy median and slam into an oncoming semi tractor-trailer. They had rented the vehicle from Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Houck posted an online petition on change.org and within two days 130,000 people had signed her petition in support of an act that would bring about federal safety legislation. The Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act would require car-rental companies to ground any vehicles that are under federal safety recall and to repair the problems before leasing or selling the vehicles. New-car dealers have had to abide by such rules since the 1960s.
Enterprise went to Washington to discuss such legislation for the first time last week. The company has been resistant for years, but with control of more than half of the rental-car market, the Houcks believe it is key to get them on board. Enterprise owns both Alamo and National chains.
Just two years ago, the Houck family received a $15 million settlement after Enterprise accepted responsibility for the girls’ deaths. Houck said she wants to make sure this doesn’t happen to any other family.
If you or your loved one has been seriously injured by a defective product or in a car accident, you may have a personal injury case. Contact your Chicago personal injury attorneys today to find out how we can assist you. Call for your free, initial consultation.
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