Grand Blanc, MI asked in Small Claims and Contracts for Michigan

Q: Can I sue someone for not paying their rental fees in a rental that’s in my name?

I rented a rental car out in my name for someone that rental car was impounded now the driver won’t respond and I’m getting hit with all the rental fees would I be able to sue him

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: As a practical matter, you are dealing with someone who somehow got that rental car impounded...doesn't sound like a good risk to sign for anything.

You can sue whomever you like; but it doesn't sound like this person cares much about responsibility or likely what a judge says.

Your challenge is that 1) you had no legal authority to rent that car out, and 2) you probably don't have anything in writing and signed by this person that says they will pay you anything. The first is a pretty big legal issue for you to overcome if you want to successfully sue. The lack of anything in writing, like any contract, almost worth the paper it's printed on.

Your name is on the rental car contract and so as to the rental car agency, you, and only you, are responsible for that car. Your best bet now is to do whatever you can to get that car out of impound and back to the rental car company instead of worrying about getting your money from this person.

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