My boyfriends took his truck through an automatic car wash and now he has severe scratches on the truck.?

Question

The scratches are all over one side of the truck, some on the other side and the back. He went back to the place but the man said that he has hundreds of customers and the car wash couldn't have done that. Can anything be done and if so who would I contact?

Answer 1

a police report would have helped at the scene of incident.

Answer 2

That's the risk you take.

There is nothing that can be done.

Answer 3

There's usually a sign posted near the entrance to the car wash: "We are not responsible for damage to vehicle", or something similar. There's your answer. If there was a sign posted at the car wash, and your bf proceeded to get his vehicle washed, then it was at his peril that he did so.

Answer 4

Every car wash I have ever seen displays a disclaimer for any liability for damage. It is "at your own risk". This damage is almost impossible to prove, I doubt you will get anything.

Answer 5

call that car wash and get a refund and then try to sue them

Answer 6

How much damage is on the truck?  More then $500? or what ever your deductible is. If you file a claim with your insurance company you have to cover your deductible, if you have less damage then the amount of your deductible, then you will end up paying for it all.

You can sue, those signs they have up mean nothing, it's like the dump trucks that have signs that say "stay back 500 feet, not responsible for broken windshields"   They are responsible.  If I have a sign on my car that says "not responsible for backing into your car" and then I back into your car, I am still responsible.  If the car wash damaged your personal property they are responsible, but you have to prove it.  Take them to small claims court and see what happens, or if you have a lot of damage, more then your deductible, make a claim with your insurance and let them take care of it.

Answer 7

Your boyfriend should contact his insurance company, and have them subrogate for him - that is, have them pay for the damages, and then they can go after the car wash guy.

The insurance company is very good at that. They can make him see the light.

Good luck.

-Stuart

Answer 8

There is nothing you can do. Automatic car washes are a "use at your own risk" situation.  Even if you could prove that is was the car wash that damaged the paint, (which would be incredibly hard to do) the owner of the car wash and the operator are not responsible for damage done by the equipment.

If you look closely I'm sure there is a sign or a warning to this affect somewhere near the entrance of the car wash or on the ticket.

Answer 9

you won't be able to sue, file a police report or other.

read the signs around the carwash.  does it assume responsibility?  no?

call your insurance and make a claim, pay the deductible and move on.

Answer 10

Taking vehicles through automatic car washes seems like a good idea, but it's a gamble, plain and simple.

As far as retribution good luck, how can you prove what was on the truck and what wasn't, can you even prove you were there?  Most people don't keep car wash receipts is what I'm saying.  If you go to a lawyer there is a good chance you will spend a fortune and end up with bupkis.  

If you are meticulous about your car, hand washing is the only way to go.  Your scratches may be able to be buffed out without painting the truck.  Find a Detail shop, Expect to spend at least 75 bucks at a good place just for a buff, swirl and wax.  If it's less than that don't expect your scratches to come out it simply takes too long to do it right.

Answer 11

try a scratch remover first before buffing, also it could have been that he drove too close to one side of the car wash and the rollers put too much pressure on that side

Answer 12

Well you could sue, but sense it would just be your word against his word you won't likly win. Just make sure to tell your friends so he losses custimers