The Harsh Reality of Towing Services: A Personal Account

Despite the many times towing services and dealership repossession teams play a vital role in restoring and recovering vehicles, encountering them can sometimes be a tale of costly and infuriating experiences. In this article, I will share a personal story about a bad encounter with a tow truck and the legal and financial implications that followed.

The Incident: A Blizzard in Minnesota

Many years ago, I was living in Minnesota when I faced a particularly challenging situation while driving home from work one night during a blizzard. As the snowfall intensified, blinding me in the intersection, I found myself stuck in a large snowdrift. Due to the darkness and the intensity of the storm, I hadn’t realized the vehicle was already stuck until it was too late.

Seeking Assistance

Understanding that I was only a couple blocks from my apartment and considering my limited resources—a lack of shovel and living alone, coupled with it being 11:30 PM—my decision to call for a tow truck seemed the sensible choice at the time. In these situations, safety and retrieval are paramount.

The Towing Incident: A Disturbing Encounter

An hour after calling, the tow truck finally arrived. As the driver attempted to pull my car out by securing a chain and lifting up one of my wheels, I was instructed to place the car in neutral. The chain, however, appeared to be much shorter than expected, which made the pull more problematic. Despite this, the driver went ahead and pulled the car out, but abruptly stopped. In my attempt to stop the movement, I inadvertently slid into the tow truck, causing significant damage.

The impact of the collision was severe enough that the bars from the wheel lift pierced the grille of my car, damaging the radiator, A/C condenser, and one of my headlights.

The Legal and Financial Consequences

The insurance company for the tow truck then made a claim, suggesting that I had rear-ended their vehicle, which was reportedly due to my failure to control my vehicle. However, it’s clear that these claims are nonsense; the driver was responsible for the damage due to the short chain and abrupt stop. Unfortunately, I did not file a police report and could not provide photographic proof of the incident at the time it happened.

Lessons Learned and Regrets

This unfortunate event took place in 1987, and in the years following, I had to fix the damage myself by replacing the damaged radiator, A/C condenser, and headlight. The experience taught me a valuable lesson: When faced with towing services, always be vigilant and consider taking legal action if necessary.

Had I gone to small claims court, I might have been able to seek compensation for the damages. Another regret of mine is failing to stop the check for the tow truck driver; while it may have been a form of “pound of flesh,” it was not enough to cover the extensive repairs.

While towing services and repo men are essential in many situations, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential downsides and how to protect yourself in case of an adverse experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while towing services and repo men play a crucial role in our society, encountering them can sometimes be a challenge. It’s important to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your property.