Truck towing in Brisbane at the scene of a car accident is quite common. If a car is unable to operate for whatever purpose, a tow truck is the most effective means of moving the vehicle to an auto repair shop or the owner’s home. Although the majority of professional towing companies follow legal towing policies and procedures in compliance with local regulations, some do not. When towing is done illegally, it can cause significant inconveniences, unexpected financial burdens, and substantial vehicle harm. So, what happens if you find your car has been damaged as it is being towed?
Here is a helpful guide that essentially helps you to determine what to do to avoid getting your vehicle damaged by a truck towing in Brisbane and what steps you can take if it happens.
Damages That Are Most Likely To Occur
Car bumper damage is one of the most common types of damage that a tow truck can inflict. When the hook is incorrectly placed to tow your vehicle, this type of damage is common. Depending on the size of the tow truck, a collision with your vehicle will cause serious damage to your car’s bumper. Truck towing in Brisbane can also cause damage to the tyres and windshields of smaller vehicles.
In A Towing Disaster, who is responsible?
In the situations mentioned below, the towing truck can sustain damage as a result of an automobile accident. Similarly, the car that is being towed can sustain damage. It should be noted that any of the aforementioned vehicles could cause a collision. The following are some of the most commonly occuring scenarios:
- When the towing truck driver is attempting to change lanes, a vehicle being towed collides with another vehicle.
- A towed car drifts into the next lane and collides with an oncoming vehicle, particularly at a corner, due to the towing truck driver’s poor handling of the curve.
- When a flatbed or towed vehicle unhooks and rolls into oncoming traffic, it causes damage when it collides with another vehicle.0
- While turning a corner, the tow truck driver oversteers and collides with a pedestrian.
If the towed vehicle or truck towing in Brisbane causes harm in an accident towing situation, the driver is often held liable for any damages incurred.
A variety of factors play a role. One important consideration is whether your vehicle was damaged as a result of unprofessional or unsafe towing. It’s worth noting that if the damage to your car isn’t specifically related to the towing procedures, recovering compensation can be even more difficult.
What To Do To Avoid Getting Your Vehicle Damaged While It Is Being Towed By Truck Towing In Brisbane:
It’s always a nuisance to get your car towed. The fact that your car has broken down in the middle of nowhere makes waiting for a tow terribly inconvenient, but things could get much worse if your car is damaged further during the towing process.
Not everyone realizes that towing a broken-down vehicle will result in additional damage in addition to the original problem. As a result, you should take the time to make some modifications to your vehicle to ensure that it is safe to tow, or else you risk causing more.
Check out these tips to prevent your car from being harmed when being towed.
Release the Emergency Brake
When you call for a truck towing in Brisbane, you know your vehicle isn’t going anywhere on its own, so applying the brake makes sense. However, if the car is towed using the conventional two-wheel-on-the-road system, the car can be damaged.
When you let go of the brake, the car is safe to tow with two wheels on the ground, preventing brake damage. This can be accomplished in the park as well, but with an automatic transmission, you must make sure the non-driving wheels are on the ground. When in the park, manual transmission vehicles can be towed on any wheels with the brakes off.
The brakes are less of a problem when being towed on a flatbed since no wheels are on the ground, but you should make sure they are turned off before the vehicle is hoisted – a good tow truck driver should remind you of this.
Neutral won’t Always Solve the Problem
While a vehicle in neutral is much less likely to be damaged as a result of a tow, it’s important to remember that damage can still occur. If the vehicle is transported too far with its wheels on the pavement, this is more likely to happen.
Although the neutral position disconnects the engine from the wheels, it does not disconnect the transmission. As a result, since the engine isn’t available to assist with control, the turning wheels can cause the transmission to overheat over time.
Roll Up Your Windows
When getting towed, it’s easy to forget this step, but make sure to wind up all of the windows in the car. This keeps dust and debris from being kicked up into the car from the back of the tow truck, which could damage the upholstery and necessitate cleaning.
Take Pictures
Before being towed, it is always a good idea to take pictures. With the majority of us holding a smartphone in our pockets, it’s simple to take some fast photos of your vehicle’s condition before it’s towed away.
What Steps To Take When Your Vehicle Gets Damaged During Truck Towing In Brisbane:
In general, you have two options: make a claim with your insurance company or take legal action against the towing service provider directly through a claims court. When the degree of damage to your vehicle is serious, or if your car is uncommon and expensive, it might be necessary to pursue legal action that extends beyond standard small claims. However, it is strongly advised that you seek the advice of an attorney in order to deal with the situation more effectively.
Fortunately, if you can prove that the towing company used improper towing practises when handling your vehicle, your case will be much stronger. To learn more about your rights and how to file an effective compensation claim, speak with your insurance agent or a lawyer. An attorney who specialises in such cases will assist you in evaluating the case and gathering the necessary facts and documents to make the case successful.
1. Make Sure To Document The Damages
The willingness to claim that the supplier of towing services caused vehicular harm to a car is the biggest challenge for vehicle owners caught up in such situations. If the damage caused by the towing procedures can be proven, the case would be much easier to manage, particularly if pictures and other types of evidence can be produced to show that the damages to your car did not occur prior to towing. If, on the other hand, your car was previously destroyed or towed by another company, addressing the issue becomes more difficult. The following are the most common types of damage:
- Scratches on a car’s exterior.
- Dents on the car.
- Tires that are deflated.
- Issues with car alignment.
Taking pictures of the damage is the best way of evidence. Prior to the towing, you can equip yourself with images of your vehicle, as previously mentioned. If you don’t already have pictures, take some as soon as you see the damage.
2. WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS, IN CASE YOUR CAR GETS DAMAGED WHILE BEING TOWED
The tow truck driver is required to take all appropriate precautions to ensure that your vehicle is not damaged and that your personal belongings are not stolen. As a result, if your vehicle is damaged or any of your belongings are missing, you must file a formal report with your designated towing company. Make a written record of anything.
You should notify the insurance company about the accidents if you have coverage. If you don’t have insurance, hire an auto body expert who can determine the extent of damage and repair costs professionally. You must have a valuation or expense of the missing object if any of your belongings were robbed or went missing (s). After that, you should write to the towing company and request compensation. If they refuse to pay you for your losses, you can make a claim for compensation.
3. COVERAGE FOR COLLISIONS
In most situations, tow truck injury is covered by the crash liability scheme. These plans would cover the cost of repairs to your car caused by collisions with other vehicles or objects. Since a tow truck is known as a “car or object,” you might be protected by your insurance policy, depending on the terms of the policy.
However, you will be required to pay the deductible first before receiving reimbursement for any damages. The amount of damage would have to be substantial enough in nature to exceed that amount.
Conclusion
If your vehicle has been damaged by a truck towing in Brisbane, it is strongly recommended that you consult a lawyer to clarify the specifics of your case. A licenced attorney has the expertise and skill to conduct a detailed analysis of your case with the goal of deciding if your claim will stand up to the other party’s claim. Speaking with an experienced attorney is also advantageous because it helps you to claim compensation for collateral loss, medical costs, and pain and distress incurred by the incident. When a towing company damages your vehicle, you must demand compensation as soon as possible.