If you must have your car towed, you want to make sure it is done properly to avoid additional damage to your vehicle. Tow trucks can damage cars when the towing process is not handled properly. Towing can even damage your vehicle’s transmission, so that is why tow truck drivers take extra precautions.
The driveshaft is disconnected, and front-wheel drive vehicles are towed only from the front wheels. Vehicles that have a manual transmission or vehicles that are four-wheel drive with a transfer case that will go into neutral should be put into neutral for towing.
Automatic transmissions do not disengage the transmission from the wheels, so towing can force the transmission to turn wrong or in a direction in which it should not turn, which could cause the gears to not carry the oil through the transmission as it should.
Tow Truck Drivers Should Take Precautions
Tow truck drivers should be familiar with the towing process and should take the proper precautions to prevent damage to your vehicle, especially its transmission.
If you have concerns, you should ask the tow truck driver about the situation and question whether additional measures should be taken to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Notice any problems with your vehicle after towing. For example, if the transmission was shifting fine before towing and then when you get the vehicle back it is not shifting or if there is a fluid leak, you should immediately have your vehicle inspected and notify the towing company of the problem.
Filing A Claim For A Damaged Transmission
To pursue a claim and to ask the towing company to cover the costs of repairing the damage to your transmission, you will need to write a letter of demand. In this letter summarize what happened.
Explain how your transmission was working properly before towing, how the vehicle was towed, and process was used, and what damage resulted to your transmission.
You will need to provide supporting evidence as well, such as the repair estimate, the tow bill, photos of your vehicle before towing or being hooked up to be towed, and documents that show the transmission was functioning properly before towing.
Eyewitness statements can also be beneficial when it comes to filing a claim against a tow company for a damaged transmission.
Consult With A Personal Injury Attorney
If towing has damaged your transmission and the towing company is not covering your damages, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. A lawyer can determine the best way to proceed with your claim and will help you get your damages covered by the responsible party.
Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to have your case reviewed by an attorney in your area who is familiar with such claims.
Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, so you have nothing to lose. Your odds of a successful claim improve greatly with the help of a lawyer.
If towing damaged your transmission, get your claim underway today.
