Travel, Car Rental - National Car Rental waived collision insurance, poor treatment with accident

Complaints.com received the following e-message on July 5, 2001:

From:

RE: National Car Rental

On a recent trip to Fla. I rented a 2001 Mitsubshi Galant from National at Tampa airport. 23? hours later I was hit at an intersection. It was determined by the Fla. Highway Patrol, after interviewing 4 witnesses that had stopped, that the other driver ran a light. He was issued a summons. The vehicle was towed. I reported it to National and then called them for another car.

After much haggling, I was informed by an Alamo ( affiliated ) manager that I "didn't take their collision damage" so he was not giving me another car. This was relayed to me by my travel arrangement booking company. The accident was not my fault and the other parties insurance contacted me and said they would take care of everything. National is aware of Fla. laws and must know this. I received a bill for towing and impound fees. I disputed this with my major credit card company and the payment has been withheld pending the outcome.

My problem with National is not only the charges but the way I was discriminated against for not taking their collision damage, or was it something else. Is this their policy when you are not at fault? As an aside the car was hit on the drivers side between the headlight lens and the tire. The lens did not break. The car was pushed into a right turn into oncoming traffic. The brake pedal went to the floor, the transmission was stuck in drive and the gas pedal was stuck. I was doing 35 mph when I thought to pull the emergency brake. The car screeched and kept lurching forward until I shut off the engine. A little long winded, but that's my story.

Thanks,

Bill