Car Accident at an Automatic Car Wash
My partner was driving the first car when we went through the wash. As we moved along the track, the front left wheel came off, leaving him unable to drive forward. Meanwhile, the car behind kept pushing against him.
We reviewed the security footage and found that my partner never hit the brakes, changed gears, or touched the steering wheel during the incident. It was only after his car slid partially off the track that he pressed the brake to switch into drive, hoping to get back on the track to avoid being hit. The car behind him tried to brake multiple times but kept colliding with the back of his car for over 30 seconds.
It took more than a minute for the attendant to stop the wash after his wheel first came off the track. Eventually, a third car was pushed into the second one.
The attendant came over and asked my partner to try to drive back onto the track, which didn’t work. She then returned with a manager who provided a block for him to drive up onto, which helped him finally get back on the track.
My partner is worried he might be blamed for the accident. We’ve gone through this car wash many times before, and he understands how it operates; he’s not the type to panic and try to brake or steer unnecessarily. We’re located in Texas, which might be relevant to the situation.
It sounds like a really frustrating and nerve-wracking situation for both you and your partner. Since you have security footage that shows he didn’t hit the brakes or change gears, that evidence could be crucial in demonstrating that he wasn’t at fault.
The fact that the wash continued for over a minute while your partner was stuck, and that the attendant took time to intervene, suggests that the system in place at the car wash may have played a role in the incident. It’s important to keep a record of everything that happened, including timestamps, the conversations with the attendant and manager, and any witness statements if there were other people present.
Since you’re in Texas, it’s also helpful to know that state law generally emphasizes the idea of negligence. If the car wash didn’t have proper safety measures in place to stop the wash when a car is stuck, they may share some responsibility.
Encourage your partner to remain calm and honest if there are inquiries into the incident. With the right evidence, he should feel more confident that he won’t be held liable. Consider discussing the situation with your insurance company as well; they may have experience with similar claims and can guide you on the best course of action.