I live in an apartment complex in Boston and we have stickers indicating that you are allowed to park there. The tow truck company came by and because they didn't see the sticker "because my window was slightly tinted" they tried to tow it. Me because I am paranoid look out the window at every noise and saw them about to drive off. I explained that the sticker is there and they put the car down. Now here is the problem, at some point between lifting the car and putting it back down the drivers side molding from the rear bumper was damaged and now sticks out. Has anyone else had that kind of an issue or was the tow truck driver doing the wrong thing for the car or what? I have already called to complain but not heard back yet.
Unfortuneately, you may need to need to get a lawyer. Although not all towing companies are bad, there are some pretty shady ones out there. And it might be the only way that you can get reimbersed for the repairs.
Sounds like the Tow Company did something to cause any sort of damage. It's not an issue with the Car but an issue with them and since you had a sticker I would file a police report against them as well. You may, as the other poster mentioned, need to contact a lawyer for "improper tow". You had the required sticker, and they did not see it, so It's there mistake and they should be responsible. File a report pronto!
I think its going to be an easy fix that I could probably do myself, looks like it just needs to be snapped in but its a new car < 2 months old. I called the real estate company who manages the building and hires the tow company to do that and I already told them that if the Tow truck company does not assist that I will be looking for them to help me as they are an agent of the management company and thus are liable. Currently I am waiting on a call back.
You should take your car to your Toyota Dealership and any cost involved should be paid for by the Management Company. You never know what else they could have done, just because you can't see it...you know what I mean? There could be broken clips or something and I would be more comfortable with my dealer handling this, and the Management company paying the bill no matter how small or big!
You're in a tough spot. It does really suck that it happened but if the view of the sticker was obscured by window tinting the tow truck company can at least claim that they were working in earnest. If the only damage you have is a molding that can be snapped back? Then you have little to no damages to claim. You need to find out what damages you may or may not of incurred. If it was towed roughly enough to loosen a molding you need to make sure no other damage was inflicted. Unfortunately, if no other damage was inflicted and even that damage is so minimal as to be something you can instantly fix yourself, then I think you are out of luck. If I was at all worried I'd want a good body shop to look the vehicle over, make sure there was no other damage. The bummer part is that if you get good news, like no other damage can be found, no frame damage or otherwise, then you probably are stuck paying for the evaluation. A big part of this is exactly how visible are your stickers? You need to prove that the tow company acted irresponsibly. Then you need to show damage. Both area's are vaguely defined in this case. Good luck, if you pursue this, determine exact damages, and show that the tow truck company should of been able to know your car shouldn't of been towed.
How were they towing it? Was it in a manner acceptable to Toyota? Was the parking brake off? If not, were the appropriate wheels off the ground? Was the engine on and the car in neutral? If not, were the front wheels off the ground?
They lifted the rear wheels, I am not sure what Toyota's standard is. I always have the parking break on and the car was in park. I don't doubt that it was an honest mistake and I am planning on getting another sticker to put higher on the car as they really only do a drive through. Also the car was only lifted and not pulled out.
If note a Prius should never be towed with a sling type truck. And with a wheel lift style it either needs to be lifted from the front (and the rear wheels will need a towing dolly if the parking brake is on), or if lifted from the back the front wheels need to be put up on a towing dolly.
Hi Frobie, As I have stated before; I am not a car guy. I can do minimal routine maintenance, but when it comes to complex tasks or combustion engine or electric drive theory, I'm lost. However, Isn't the Prius a front wheel drive, which means they have to have the front end lifted if they are being towed with one axle still on the ground, or put the front on a dolly if they are lifting the rear of the car? I guess I don't remember if you had these details in your original post. If they damaged the car by improper listing or towing, even for a short distance, than the previous posts about protecting your self by providing notice of damage and notice of possible intent to sue in the event of negligence, or worse, and filing a police report is a wise course of of action. If nothing else, talk with an attorney and do what it takes to preserve your rights. You can be sure the real estate/management company is talking with their attorney. --TK
When a towing company lifts the car's rear end and pulls the car backward out of a parking space, any front-wheel drive car (that is in park, as it usually would be) will probably skid the front tires and stand a chance of damaging the "park" mechanism. After the car is out of the parking space, the towing company might jimmy the door lock (possible internal damage), and then attempt to release the parking brake so that they can tow the car by the front wheels. Once impounded, it might be difficult to get your car back without sufficient cash.
Not to make you paranoid even more, , but are you certain the tow company is contracted to service your lot? Tow driver sure wasn't looking hard for your sticker. Nothing like towing a nice new car for a nice profit. Or maybe I'm too paranoid!
