Tow Truck Damaged Your Car? Here’s Who’s Liable and What to Do Next

Yes, tow truck companies are usually liable for damage they cause to your car during towing. Under the legal standard of “due care,” a towing company is responsible for damage that occurs while connecting your vehicle, transporting it, or disconnecting it at the destination. If a tow truck damaged your car, you should document the damage with photos, file a claim with the towing company, and contact your insurance company if the tow company refuses to pay. As a last resort, you can take the tow company to small claims court.

Let’s explore towing damage liability. We’ll help you understand who’s responsible for damages during the towing process.

Are Tow Companies Liable for Damage to Your Car?

In most cases, yes. A tow truck company can be held responsible for any damages caused to your car during the towing process for failure to exercise “due care.” This failure can include damage during:

• Connecting the vehicle to the tow truck.
• The drive in traffic back to the tow yard.
• Removing the car from the tow truck connection.
• Moving the car around the tow yard.

What Is a Towing Damage Waiver — and Can It Protect the Tow Company?

The tow truck company may be off the hook if you signed a waiver releasing them from responsibility for vehicle damages. If you signed a waiver and the damage is severe enough, it’s worth checking with a legal expert to determine whether the waiver would hold up in small claims court.

How to Document Towing Damage (Step by Step)

Providing proof that the damage during towing is crucial. That’s why you need to inspect the vehicle before the tow truck driver starts working. If you can establish proof that the towing company is at fault for the damages, they’ll likely accept liability for the damages.

Don’t wait until you suspect towing damage to document your vehicle. Take photos of your vehicle before the tow truck arrives. You should have plenty of time for this – it always seems like tow trucks take forever to arrive! If you accompany the vehicle to the tow yard or mechanic, document the state of the vehicle before it’s disconnected. Damage often occurs while the car is removed from the tow truck.

Photographs of your vehicle before it was towed and prior to being disconnected is the most convincing evidence. Typically photos are definitive proof of the tow truck company’s failure to exercise due care when transporting your vehicle. Most tow truck companies will cooperate with you when you have visual evidence of their negligence.

If the tow truck company doesn’t cooperate, even with visual evidence that proves they caused the damage, you’ll need to get your insurance company involved. They may cover the cost of the damage for you. Another recourse is to take the tow truck company to small claims court. Tort laws vary by state, so look into your state’s laws before taking legal action or hiring an attorney.

Most Common Types of Damage From Tow Trucks

Towing trucks can cause various damage to your vehicle. The most common issues include car bumper damage, which happens when the tow truck’s hook is improperly positioned during towing. Other common tow truck-related issues include tire and windshield damage. This can occur when the tow truck inadvertently strikes your car. However, if the tow truck driver is negligent, damage could occur anywhere on the vehicle in the form of scratches and dents.

Does Towing Damage Your Car?

Towing itself doesn’t necessarily damage your car—but improper towing absolutely can. When done correctly, using the right equipment and techniques, towing is generally safe. However, mistakes or shortcuts can lead to costly issues.

One of the biggest risks comes from using the wrong towing method. For instance, towing a front-wheel-drive car from the rear or dragging a vehicle without lifting the drive wheels can strain or damage the transmission. Similarly, failing to secure the vehicle properly can result in body damage, such as scratches, dents, or even more severe structural issues during transport.

Low-clearance vehicles are also more vulnerable. If the tow truck operator doesn’t use ramps or take care when loading, the car’s bumper or undercarriage can scrape against the ground.

Flatbed towing is typically the safest option because the entire vehicle is lifted off the road, minimizing wear and tear. Wheel-lift towing can also be safe when done correctly, but it requires more precision.

Ultimately, the risk of damage depends on the operator’s experience and attention to detail. Choosing a reputable towing company and understanding your vehicle’s specific towing requirements can significantly reduce the chances of damage.

Can You Sue a Towing Company for Damages?

Yes, you can sue a towing company if your vehicle is damaged due to negligence, improper handling, or failure to follow standard towing procedures. Towing companies have a legal responsibility to transport your vehicle safely, and if they breach that duty, you may have grounds for a claim.

Common reasons for lawsuits include damage to the bumper, suspension, transmission, or undercarriage caused by incorrect hookup methods or using the wrong type of tow truck. For example, towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with only two wheels lifted can lead to serious mechanical issues.

Before filing a lawsuit, it’s important to gather evidence. Take photos of your vehicle before and after towing (if possible), request a copy of the towing report, and obtain repair estimates from a certified mechanic. Many towing companies carry insurance, so you may be able to file a claim directly without going to court.

If the company denies responsibility or offers insufficient compensation, small claims court is often the next step for lower-value damages. For more significant losses, consulting an attorney may be worthwhile. The key is proving that the damage occurred during towing and resulted from improper practices.

Who Pays When a Tow Truck Causes a Road Accident?

If there is an accident on the road while your vehicle is being towed, the towing company is held liable for any damages to other vehicles. It doesn’t matter if your vehicle being towed is what damaged the other vehicle — the towing company will cover the damages. In fact, if your vehicle is what causes the damage, it likely has damage of its own. If the tow truck is in an accident while transporting your vehicle, it’ll be easy to prove the towing company is at fault.

What Steps Can You Take to Get Compensation?

Ideally, the tow truck company will be cooperative and make the process smooth. If they do cooperate and agree to cover the damages to your vehicle, here’s what to do:

1. Take your vehicle to a mechanic or auto body shop and get a quote for the damage. The tow truck company may have a preferred garage.
2. Bring the written estimate to the tow truck company. They may agree to pay for the costs upfront or reimburse you after the repairs are made. Remember, the tow truck company is only responsible for damage that they caused during the towing job.

In the unfortunate case that the tow truck disputes the damages, the process gets more complicated. Here’s what to do in the case of a damage dispute:

1. Contact your insurance company and see if they’ll cover the damage. Check to see if your policy has comprehensive coverage. If you don’t, you may have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.
2. Depending on the deductible and the level of damage, it may be more affordable to cover the damage instead of using insurance.
3. Another option is to take the tow truck company to small claims court. Small claims limits vary by state — you can find your state’s limit on this chart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Protect Yourself Before the Tow Truck Arrives

Experiencing damage to your car during towing can be distressing — it’s making a bad situation even worse. However, knowing your rights and taking the appropriate steps can help you resolve the matter smoothly. Reputable towing companies are likely to accept responsibility for damages they cause, especially when presented with evidence. Remember to document the incident, inform the relevant parties and seek professional legal advice if needed.