Car Wash Collision Incident
My partner was driving the first car in an automatic car wash when the front left wheel came off the track, immobilizing him. As a result, the car behind could not stop and continued to push into his vehicle.
After reviewing the security footage, it’s clear that my partner never applied the brakes, changed gears, or touched the steering wheel throughout the incident. It wasn’t until his car partially left the track that he pressed the brakes to shift into drive and attempt to move back onto the track, hoping to avoid further collisions. Meanwhile, the driver behind him repeatedly attempted to brake, but continued to hit 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 initially went off track, during which a third car ended up colliding with the second.
The attendant approached and suggested my partner try to maneuver back onto the track, but that attempt was unsuccessful. Shortly after, the manager arrived with a block that helped my partner get back on track.
Now, he’s concerned about being blamed for the incident. We’ve gone through this car wash many times before, and he knows how it operates. He wouldn’t intentionally brake or steer incorrectly. We are in Texas, so any insights into how this might affect the situation would be appreciated.
I’m really sorry to hear about the accident you and your partner experienced at the car wash. It sounds like a stressful situation, especially with the series of events leading to the collisions. Given that you have security footage showing that your partner didn’t brake or attempt to steer, it could potentially help clarify the situation if there are any disputes about fault.
In Texas, liability in car accidents is often determined by negligence. Since the attendant took a significant amount of time to stop the wash once the issue was apparent, there may be a case for arguing that the car wash operation was negligent in their duty to maintain a safe environment.
It might be a good idea for you and your partner to document everything—photos of the cars involved, any visible damage, and notes from the incident including the timeline of events. This will be useful if you need to file a claim with the car wash’s insurance or if there are any disputes that arise.
Also, it can be beneficial to consult with an attorney who specializes in automotive accidents if you’re concerned about liability issues or if the car wash disputes responsibility. They can provide more specific guidance based on the details of the incident and your local laws.
Wishing you both the best in resolving this situation!