Helping stranded cars in snow

Just wondering if there is a standard recovery point on sedans / minivans / etc... Let's say your driving along a snowy road in a storm and come across a minivan or BMW sedan stuck off on the side of the road. Maybe you want to help. Assuming you can't get them going by pushing by hand, where would you attach a tow strap on a non-truck. They are so low to the ground that you wouldn't be able to locate an attachment point without rolling around in the slush if there even is a good solid attachment point. Hell, most are unibody now and don't even have a frame.

I guess I'm kind of inclined not to help in those situations due to liability and fear of getting sued for damage to someone else's vehicle if it goes wrong. It's too bad because I really would like to help.

Side note: I love those video's off morons hooking up to the plastic valence bumper and just ripping it off the car.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw_vcM7bynA

 

Most newer cars Shound have a hole in the bumper that has a cap ya can pop off and there is a eye-bolt that screws into the frame. The eye bolt is usually with the spare tire.

 

I've read you can strap around a wheel like through the spokes in the rim. Not sure how that works though as that wheel won't be able to spin. On snow and ice might be okay to just slide. I'm also not sure how much force a wheel can take in that type of situation. Be curious to hear from any who have tried.

 

Uhhh... Yeah... I wouldn't do that without getting a liability waiver stamped with blood first. Maybe to a buddy. Not to a stranger. Everything about the wheels is designed to be in vertical compression not linear sheer.

 

I quit pulling people out years ago, I figured them being there was the safest option for me who actually slowed down for road conditions. I will see if they are ok and have called someone but that's it.

 

“I said STOP ten times!!!”

 

It’s unlikely that you would be (successfully) sued if you are being a good samaritan, and showing a reasonable level of good faith to help someone. If a vehicle is damaged, their insurance would cover the cost, anyway.

As with ANY recovery situation (friend or stranger), communication is key. As the potential rescuer, we should clearly communitcate the possible consequences, and varify if they are comfortable with the possible results.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan_law

 

I only help in the middle of nowhere, we've had numerous injuries and fatalities related to my shop over the last 6 years due to people getting out in ditches.

I'll give you a ride home, I Won't tow if near a highway.

 

Towed a old school GMC van today about 1/4 of a mile in the snow with a 1/2" boat rope. Put the rope through the square of my trailer hitch receiver, then around his front axle towed like a charm.

 

Not sure good Samaritan laws apply to cars. They protect you from bodily injury or wrongful death lawsuits typically. Depends on your state though i guess. I hope everyone would bee so nice as to pay the insurance deductible and increased fees instead of taking you to small claims court and not paying a dime.

 

Don't get me wrong i am going to help the helpless. But i am going to video consent and waiver of liability.

 

I’m not sure Wikipedia is your best source of legal advice.

 

You got that right, take what Wikipedia says just as a reference, even tho you did a good dead if you damage someone’s property expect it to turn on you quick.

 

Neither is a Tacoma enthusiast's page...

But if you're ever curious, you can always consult the links at the bottom of the page which site the sources of the info given on the Wiki page. That's actually why Wiki is generally a relatively reliable source for information. Legal advice? No. Just like WebMD isn't a good source for medical advice, but it is a good starting resource.

Anyone can be sued for any reason, at any time. That's how our legal system works (or doesn't work, sometimes).

In the end, do what you feel comfortable doing. As others have said, I probably wouldn't try and pull someone out when they're on a highway but would give them a ride or at least stay with them until services arrive. The risks/rewards are always highly situationally dependant.

 

Liability waiver's aren't worth the paper they're written on. Argument used against them is the fact you cannot sign away your right to be protected from someone else's negligence.... Regardless if you're negligent or not...People will sue.