Avis Rentals is charging me for damages I did not cause
Location: California
About a year ago, I rented a car from Avis in Alaska. When I returned the vehicle, I was required to upload photos of the car from multiple angles through their website. I also recorded my own personal video of the vehicle at the time of return.
A couple of months later, I received a letter claiming I was responsible for approximately $1,000 in damages due to a cracked windshield. In response, I sent them my video footage, which included timestamps showing the condition of the car when I returned it. The vehicle was returned around midnight, while the photos they later provided as evidence were taken in the morning on an unspecified date. Realistically, anything could have happened to the car during that gap in time.
I went back and forth with Avis, attempting to obtain the photos I originally uploaded through their website, but before the matter was resolved, they transferred the alleged debt to a third-party collection agency. The collection agency has been unwilling to consider or review the evidence I provided.
At this point, the debt has not appeared on my credit report, but they have threatened to send it to collections if I do not pay. I briefly spoke with a lawyer, and my understanding is that my options are limited because the burden effectively falls on me to dispute the claim. The options presented were to pay the amount, negotiate a reduced settlement, allow it to go to collections, or wait to see whether they decide to sue me. None of these options seem particularly reasonable or viable to me.
Please advise.