Author: Laura Layden, Fort Myers News-Press

Hertz will pay nearly $170 million to settle hundreds of false theft claims involving its customers, the rental giant announced Monday.

Hertz rental car has extended an olive branch to more aggrieved customers who’ve accused the company of wrongful theft arrests for cars they rented.

Nearly 100 customers accusing Hertz of wrongful theft arrests for cars they rented can now pursue their cases outside of bankruptcy court.

A judge approved Hertz’s plan of reorganization on June 10, paving the way for the car rental company’s comeback.

In a regulatory filing Monday, Hertz’s parent company raised doubts about the car rental giant’s ability to survive another year.