Story:
I currently live in Japan and I’m dealing with a stressful situation involving a rental car accident. I want to know what my legal options are and whether I should get a lawyer.
A man I’ll call “N” was the one driving the rental car and caused the accident. I was the person who signed the rental contract for the car, so the rental company is now trying to make me responsible for the damages and payments as well.
What makes this situation more complicated is that N was not supposed to drive the car at all. We were drinking that night and both me and my friend were heavily intoxicated. N and one of his friends brought us to his apartment while we were drunk, and we honestly did not fully realize what was happening because we were extremely intoxicated.
While we were asleep at the apartment, I believe N took the car keys from inside my bag without my permission. When we woke up, I later learned from people who knew him that he had crashed the rental car.
I was also later told that:
N allegedly did not have a valid driver’s license at the time
N was allegedly intoxicated while driving
N was the one actually driving during the accident, not me
N admitted to me multiple times that the accident was his fault and initially said he would take responsibility and pay. Because of that, I tried to cooperate instead of immediately getting legal help. But now I’m worried because the payment period could last around 3 years, and I’m scared he might eventually disappear or stop paying while my name remains connected to the rental contract.
Right now, the rental company is pressuring both of us to take responsibility because I signed the original rental agreement. They already prepared paperwork regarding the payment situation, but nothing has been finalized or signed yet.
I’m now considering:
Hiring a lawyer instead of continuing to negotiate alone
Making a notarized agreement where N officially admits fault and promises to pay
Asking whether I can legally shift more responsibility to the actual driver
Protecting myself in case he suddenly refuses to pay later
I also worry because the rental contract apparently says if payments are late, the full remaining balance can become immediately due. That makes me nervous because if N disappears, I could end up being chased for the entire amount.
Some questions:
In Japan, how strong is my legal position if I was only the contract signer but not the driver?
Does it matter legally if the keys were taken without my permission while I was asleep?
Would a notarized agreement between me and N actually help protect me?
Is hiring a lawyer worth it in this type of situation?
Can the rental company still fully pursue me even if N admits fault and was allegedly unlicensed/intoxicated?
What should I prepare before meeting the rental company again?
I’m mentally exhausted and trying to handle this carefully before signing anything else.
by m3ga1cebl4st