What is my recourse if a mechanic was negligent and destroyed my car’s engine?
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What is my recourse if a mechanic was negligent and destroyed my car’s engine?
I took my car to a well known mechanic shop to get an oil change done, by the time I got their my car had drained out of oil my engine locked on me.
Asked on August 16, 2011 Georgia
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you have not reported the problem to the mechanic shop that did the work on your vehicle, you need to do so right away so as to establish a written record of what happened. You should call the shop's manager about the problem and write a letter about what transpired.
You should also have it taken to an independent mechanic for evaluation for the cause of its damages.
If the mechanic shop was negligent in the manner it changed your oil causing damage to the car's engine, it is responsible for the cost of the car's repair up to the car's fair market value whichever is the lesser amount.
If the mechanic shop will not compensate you informally, you will need to bring a legal action against it. In the meantime, you should contact your insurance carrier and make a claim for your damaged car assuming you have insurance.
Good luck.
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