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Can a tow truck be held responsible for damages that occurred during towing?

Will the towing company cover damages to my car from towing? My car was having issues starting so I called a tow truck through my roadside assistance. When the mechanic inspected my car, he told me there was additional damage. He believes it's from improper towing.

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Melanie Mergen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
A tow truck company will typically be responsible for any damages they cause to a car. However, you or your mechanic will need to provide proof that towing the vehicle caused the damage.
If you’re able to provide proof, the towing company will likely accept liability for the damages. The only reason this wouldn’t be true is if you signed a waiver freeing them from responsibility for vehicle damages.
What to do: Your first call should be to the towing company. Allow them to explain themselves. Some might deny it, but most reputable companies will come clean and pay for the damage to avoid any legal issues or bad publicity. If you have pictures of your vehicle before towing, those can be used as proof.
You’ll also want to inform your roadside assistance and/or
car insurance
company as soon as possible, if applicable. They may be able to handle it immediately if it was one of their drivers, but it may take longer to receive compensation if it was through an outside towing company.
Worst case scenario: Otherwise, you can try to speak with a lawyer who specializes in automobile cases. They may be able to provide advice on how to move forward with the towing company.
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