If your pickup has been in a crash or has a mechanical problem, you might have to call a tow truck to have it taken to your home or to a repair shop. When you entrust your truck to the towing company, you don’t expect any additional damage would result.
There is a risk of your pickup suffering damage. If you have a damaged truck bed from a tow truck, you should notify the towing company and ask them to cover the costs of your losses. If necessary, you can file a personal injury claim for your property damages.
Gathering Supporting Evidence
Inspect your truck before it is hooked to the tow truck. Be sure to carefully document any damage and get photos of the damages. Check to see if there are any electronic or mechanical problems. If you can get a video of your pickup truck before towing and show what is working that is helpful. You should also record the truck being hooked up to the tow truck.
Always check your truck when it reaches its destination and carefully check for damages. Get photos of it upon its arrival and be sure to let the tow truck driver know if there are any damages that were caused during towing. In this case, let them know about your damaged truck bed.
The Demand Letter to the Towing Company
The first step in letting the towing company know that you want to file a claim for your damaged truck bed is to send a demand letter. This letter should contain specific details and supporting evidence about what happened.
Tell them where your truck was being picked up and where it was being hauled, the date, and the time. Indicate the extent of the damaged truck bed and include a written estimate for repairs.
You will need to include the before and after photos, copies of witness statements, and any other supporting evidence that you may have that proves the truck bed damage was caused by the tow truck. Itemize your losses and then indicate a final figure as to how much you wish to be compensated.
Always start high, so you can negotiate with the towing company. Sometimes the tow truck driver may admit there was an accident, and if so, that might speed up the settlement process.
Consult With a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have a damaged truck bed from a tow truck, you should talk with a personal injury attorney about pursuing a property damage claim against the towing company. Personal injury lawyers take such claims on a contingency basis, which means your attorney will not get paid for your case until you win your claim. You will not have any upfront costs, so there is no reason to not seek legal guidance.
Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, so don’t let too much time pass until it is too late to recover compensation. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form today to have the details of your claim reviewed by a property damage attorney in your state.
