Who is responsible if the towing damages the vehicle?
2 Answers
What unit is responsible for the damage caused by towing the vehicle? In the entire incident, the towed vehicle bears no responsibility. According to Article 93 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, the traffic management department of the public security organ may impose fines on motor vehicle drivers who violate regulations and tow the vehicles. Traffic police are responsible for vehicle damage caused during enforcement towing: If traffic police cause vehicle damage due to improper operation during enforcement towing, the responsibility lies with the traffic police. According to Article 93 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, for violations of laws and regulations regarding motor vehicle parking or temporary parking, the traffic police may point out the violation, issue a verbal warning, and order immediate departure; if the motor vehicle driver is not present or refuses to leave immediately, obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, a fine may be imposed, and the vehicle may be towed to a location that does not obstruct traffic or to a location designated by the traffic management department of the public security organ; the traffic management department of the public security organ must not charge the party for towing and should promptly inform the party of the parking location. Towing companies are responsible for damage caused during towing: If a towing company causes damage to a motor vehicle due to improper towing methods, it must bear compensation responsibility according to the law; for example, if the vehicle is scratched or the bumper is damaged during towing, the towing company is responsible for covering the repair costs; however, it is necessary to retain certain evidence to prevent the other party from denying responsibility.
Every time I hear about cars being damaged during towing, it really upsets me. Who is responsible? I think the first thing to check is whether the towing contract you signed clearly stipulates the responsibilities. Reputable companies usually specify the scope of liability in the contract, and they have insurance to cover damages caused by operational errors. Based on my experience, if the damage is due to improper operation by the towing driver, such as scratching the body or damaging the chassis, they are fully responsible, and the car owner can directly claim compensation. However, you should be aware that some unreliable companies may shirk responsibility. In such cases, it's best to take photos to document the scene and keep all contact information. For prevention, I recommend choosing a reputable towing company, inspecting the vehicle's condition before towing, and taking some photos as evidence in case something happens. This isn't just about money—it's about safe driving, so don't take it lightly.
