Mechanic looks at brakes, wheels break off on interstate

[cat22eow]

I took my car to a service station to have my brakes checked the day before I left for vacation. The next day, about seven hours into the trip we started swerving all over the interstate and smoke and fire were coming from the rear passenger tire. We were able to make it to the side of the road, but we discovered that the tire had come off of the hub.

So, we had the car towed. It was Sunday evening and everything was closed. We were traveling with some friends and one of them was a mechanic. We found the parts we needed and he fixed the car.

One hour after being back on the road the same thing occured on to the other rear tire. By then it was after nine p.m. so we had the car towed to our destination, over 100 miles.

We realized that this was not an accident. Apparently, the mechanic had over tightened the nuts on the hubs of our rear wheels which caused them to seize and break off. However, we didn't realize this until the second time it happened. Therefore, our friend used AAA to tow our car over 130 miles which used up her maximum amount of tows for the year. In addition, we bought the tools for our friend to fix our car. Then he spent many hours fixing the car and aiding us along the way.

This whole mess turned our 7 day trip into a nightmare. We used up the whole first day riding around with a friend trying to find parts for the car.

I have tried to get the company to reimburse us for some of the expenses that we incurred but they keep giving me excuses as to why they shouldn't pay us back. I feel like they should be held responsible, they could have killed us.

Is their anything that I can do?

Sincerely,

Cathryn, NY

 

[HomeGuru]

Stop taling to them, do not give hem a brake and hire an attorney to sue their nuts, and bolts.

 

[JETX]

First, you need to get some FACTUAL basis for the problems you were having (your post gives an OPINION). Talk to a few mechanics, see what they say (also, does the mechanic who did the work admit to fault???? Your post doesn't say.)

Then, once you have been assured that it was the mechanics fault (assuming he hasn't already admitted liability), then you need to write a letter to the owner of the service station (and maybe copy to the station's affiliation... Shell, Exxon, Arco, etc.) Send them Certified RRR.
In your letter, detail the specifics of the 'inspection' and the subsequent tire problems. Include your 'statement of fact' that experts you have talked with have confirmed that the service station was negligent (if applicable). Be professional and courteous... after all, you are trying to get them to realize a problem and offer to resolve it. Give them a reasonable amount of time (7 days from receipt) to respond or you will be talking with 'your' attorney.

If they don't respond... then you will need to consider litigation.