It seems like something out of a nightmare or a horror movie if you walk out to your car and find your tires slashed. It can be scary but it also is inconvenient and it can be expensive to replace tired, especially if you need to replace all four tired.
If someone intentionally damaged your car by slashing your tires, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to cover the cost of replacing your tires.
The best thing to do is to call a skilled personal injury attorney after you call and file a police report about the damage. A personal injury attorney can help you file a personal injury claim so that you don’t have to pay out of pocket to replace all of your tires.
We have asked attorney, Alaina Sullivan, about what you should do. Here is what she had to say:
What to Do If Someone Slashed Your Tires
If you're wondering what to do after someone has slashed your tires, you might want to think about who could have done this and why. Slashing tires is an easy way to get revenge, while leaving minimal evidence. If you can't recall any enemies you may have, it may have just been a random act of vandalism.
Either way, the first thing you should do after noticing your slashed tires is to call the police and file an initial police report within 24 hours of the incident. The police may keep an extra eye out in a area that is reporting numerous slashed tires.
The offender may also be wary to strike again if he knows the police are watching. Be sure to also contact your insurance company as soon as possible because not only is this damage costly, it also renders your ability to travel places.
Many reasons can exist for why your tires were slashed. It can be:
- A mere act of vandalism
- During a riot
- Crossing the wrong person
- Driving over tire spikes or debris
Get an official police report as to what happened as the insurance company will likely need this information. If any witnesses saw what happened, get their contact information, and if any surveillance video caught footage of what happened, you will need that as well.
For more information on what to do if someone slashes your tires, visit Steps to Take When Filing Your Personal Injury Claim
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How to Prevent Someone From Slashing Your Tires
It can be tough to prevent someone from slashing your tires, especially if you park your car outside or live in a neighborhood with a high crime rate. Here's what you should do to prevent your tires from being slashed again in the future:
- Find a well lit and secure place to park your car
- Install motion sensor lighting
- Put security cameras in front of your house - this will provide you with more evidence
- Call the police right away
- Start a neighborhood crime watch
What Type of Insurance Coverage Do You Have?
Whether you can file a claim for your slashed tires depends largely upon the type of car insurance coverage you have. Not all insurance policies will cover tire replacement.
Basic car insurance coverage requires the driver to have coverage for accidents with another vehicle. Having your tires slashed does not fall under this category.
Additional coverage will be needed to pay for those types of damages. Comprehensive coverage pays for claims that involve non-driving incidents, including vandalism or slashed tires.
Collision coverage will pay for events where the driver collides into a stationary object, including road spikes, which could also result in slashed tires. It depends on the way the tires were damaged as to which policy will cover damages.
Your insurance deductible will be a consideration, as well. Most deductibles range from $500 to $1,000, so the insured, even if he has the proper type of coverage, will still need to pay for the deductible before seeking compensation for damages.
Tires Slashed on Private Property
If you do not have insurance coverage but your tires were slashed while on private property, you may be able to pursue compensation by suing the property owner.
However, if signage is posted stating that anyone who is parking on this property does so at his or her own risk, the owner may not be liable for damage done to your car while on the property.
How to File Your Claim
The best thing to do as soon as possible is to notify your insurance company regarding the act of vandalism. Provide them the information you have, including police report. Take pictures of the vandalism and provide that, as well. If you have a deductible, you will likely be paying that amount first before receiving compensation.
Get an estimate for how much it will cost to fully replace your tires. If the cost of replacement is more than the deductible, you will want to go through the claims process. If the tires cost less than what you would be paying for a deductible, you may think again about going through the claims process.
When tires are slashed, the damage is often much more than just the tires themselves. You may also have rim damage or other body damage that would push you over that deductible amount.
So long as you have the proper coverage, normally comprehensive, you should not run into any problems in filing your claim. It does not hurt to contact your insurance company to verify that you have the coverage and to see if you can recoup costs for paying for these damages.
Contact an Attorney Today
If you have been the victim of vandalism to your car and are unsure of whether you can file a claim to receive compensation for your damages, it is recommended you contact an attorney to ask any questions you may have.
A licensed personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate your case and determine if you have a claim against the other party’s insurance company. To receive the compensation for your medical bills, property damages, and pain and suffering, you should speak with a personal injury attorney in your area today.
