Auto Insurance Claims: another rental car tire liability question, dollar rent a car, collections department

Question
Similar to your question about a low tire.  I rented a car from Dollar-Rent-A-Car one afternoon.  The next morning I noticed the tire was low.  I took the car back and they gave me another one with seemingly no problems.  Now, 3 months later, I have received an email from their collections department asking for $160, presumably for the cost of that tire.  I didn't even know the tire had to be replaced nor that the rental company was trying to collect from me for it.  Should I be liable for this?
Shaun

Answer
Hi Shaun,

This is hard to call. You are generally responsible for ANY damage that occurs to the vehicle while in your control. Unless you can prove that the tire was going flat before you took it, I think you will have to pay for the tire.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh