Company Towed my g/f's AWD!!! What to do??

[Boost95]

My girlfriend had some car trouble and before I can get there the tow truck was pulling away with the front wheels in the AIR!!! I tried to find the driver to stop him but I could not in time. As we know the Viscious Coupling and the T-Case are probably fried!! Im just posting to see what I should do? We dont have the money to pay for all the damages!
Thanks,
Mike

 

[eclipsh]

Dude, that sucks Make the tow truck co pay for it. It is their fault for not checking it out. If they give you attitude talk to a lawyer.

 

[GRsDSM]

I agree...make the tow company pay for the ignorance. This kinda stuff just sucks!

 

[jarero]

I drive a tow truck part time for a friend of mine that owns a body shop and I know that if I did something that stupid the shop would definately pay for the damages! Make them pay. If you don't know what you are towing then you have no business doing it.

Good luck!

 

[98RedDragon]

if i was lucky enough to have an awd, first i would make them fix it, then beat the driver with a bat , but yea that really sucks, is her car moded at all or is it stock?

 

[TSIrookieByatch]

So you are saying that if I get a tow truck to tow my TSI they will probably screw up my transfer case and have to pay for a new one?

 

[BudmannG]

So you are saying that if I get a tow truck to tow my TSI they will probably screw up my transfer case and have to pay for a new one?

You will if you get the same driver she did. But in reality no, most tow truck drivers know what they are towing. She just got a dumbash that day. If I need a tow I always call for a flat bed hauler. That way I cover my own ass, And don't get screwed by the tow company.

On that note, I would call the tow company and bi*** till it's fixed.

 

[Boost95]

The car is modded. We went over there this morning to talk to the guy. Well my g/f did because she would not let me talk because she know I would FLIP. His excuse was one of the axles snapped therfore its "OK" It would be a little less stress but its still not good. The point of this post is to find out if anyone has had something similair happen, and to see what they did about it.

 

[Boost95]

Are there any LAWYERS out there, or anyone with some legal knowledge? The car is still sitting at the garage. I dont know what to do. His excuse is because one of the axles are snapped it was "OK" to tow Should I file a report with the municipal building?
Thanks,
MIke

 

[knighteclipse1]

I haven't had that problem, but if you have gone to the tow company and they refuse to pay for repairs. I would contact my insurance company and have them pay for repairs and let them handle sueing the a--holes that damaged your car. Assuming you have full coverage. If not, then just get a lawyer and sue them, or at least get the advice from a lawyer...either way, just as simple as that...p.s.....don't get let her handle it. especially when they can b.s. her. but I do agree don't flip out about it, just make your case and see where it goes from there. You can also call the better business bureau and report them, if that doesn't work. But make sure your talking to the one in charge that can do something about it. Not just some flunky.

 

[n0c7]

If one of the front axles was snapped he should have called in for a flatbed instead of creating more problems than what already were there.

 

[Boost95]

Ehh, IM going to file a police report 2morrow. Then I will take the manuals and some posts that say what DAMAGE it can cause. "ive been doing this for 30 years" Then you should know WTF your doing.

 

[talontsi02]

wow im getting pissed just reading about it.. some people are just Fluckin idiots .. i hope he gets fired for being a dumbass .. good luck and keep us posted on what happens

 

[Boost95]

We tried to file a report with the Police 2day but they were closed. Is there anything I should do in the meantime. And should I bring the car back and fix the ball joint and axle to see how it drives?

 

[Spoolin4Ever]

1. Get documentation of why it's bad off the net and print that up.

2. Get proof they towed the car: receipt.

3. Get quotes for possible damage, including the tranny and tcase, and anything else.

4. Threaten them if they don't compensate: Take to small claims court, and file complaintes with the BBB, and attorney general of your state.

5. If they don't pay, then do all the above.

What sucks is some of the damage may take a few thousand miles to crop up

How many miles did they tow it??

Small dclaims is better then getting a lwayer, cause this about a few grand, which in most states, small claims goes up to about 3K. A lawyer is expensive for such a small amount. That's what small claims is for.

Does the car have the AWD sticker anywhere on it? Always leave the AWD sticker on your car, or put one on if it does not have one, is my advice too all the AWD people. It's amazing how many people don't even notice it's AWD, even with the stock sticker. On mine the decal is down low on door, or by the wheel, stock location. I have seen some cars that have the AWD on the reaer side windows. The guy had just bought the car, and he peeled it off cause he liked the clean look. Not good. This is one reason why you shouldn't shave all your badging off. Like i said, even with the sticker, if i tell someon it's AWD, they always have to 2nd guess me: like at the emissions testing, or oil change places, etc.. They always say "Oh, it is AWD?" Yeah, see the sticker! geesh

Filing a police report, i think is not needed; it's not a criminal case. It's a civil case. They don't arrest people for accidentally using a dolly instead of a flat bed.

 

[half-cocked]

should I bring the car back and fix the ball joint and axle to see how it drives?

This should have been done before you go and try to file anything. If it drives fine now, you will not get a dime out of them for 'potential damages'.

 

[half-cocked]

Does the car have the AWD sticker anywhere on it? Always leave the AWD sticker on your car, or put one on if it does not have one, is my advice too all the AWD people. It's amazing how many people don't even notice it's AWD, even with the stock sticker. On mine the decal is down low on door, or by the wheel, stock location. I have seen some cars that have the AWD on the reaer side windows. The guy had just bought the car, and he peeled it off cause he liked the clean look. Not good. This is one reason why you shouldn't shave all your badging off. Like i said, even with the sticker, if i tell someon it's AWD, they always have to 2nd guess me: like at the emissions testing, or oil change places, etc.. They always say "Oh, it is AWD?" Yeah, see the sticker! geesh

Filing a police report, i think is not needed; it's not a criminal case. It's a civil case. They don't arrest people for accidentally using a dolly instead of a flat bed.

The AWD sticker does not make an ounce of difference in this case. The Towtruck driver is supposed to be a professional and supposed to know his job. It is common knowledge that you do not tow a vehicle with its drive wheels on the ground. It is his job to not assume that its a Japanese car therefore its FWD and tow it accordingly. A professional would take the extra 15 seconds and look under the car and realize that this car is AWD, or at least ask the owner.

 

[rowlex]

so why was it broken down in the first place?? Did SHE snap an axle?? or did they snap an axle on the way......

 

[eclipsh]

This should have been done before you go and try to file anything. If it drives fine now, you will not get a dime out of them for 'potential damages'.

I disagree. The factory manual gives explicit warnings about damaging the vehicle by towing it with one set of wheels on the ground. I'm sure talking to a dealership mechanic would confirm all of the damages that were done. Contact them and get a written statement. The tow-truck company can hardly argue with a factory trained mechanic. If they do, you'll be in that much better shape to take them to small claims court.

 

[EvilAWD]

I'm pissed dont let them get away with it. reminds me of the time i bought my car from a used car dealership and roughly 20 mins. after taking the car home my tranny went out. sometimes as consumers we get jacked and dont really go to the appropiate people to get things fixed. small claims is definetely the way to go! good luck!!!!!

 

[Boost95]

Well we got the car all 2geather. I took it for a ride and it drives alright! What am I suppose to do now?

 

[Spoolin4Ever]

umm we told you what to do already...............