Car Totaled by Tow Truck While in for Service at Dealership

[Gempawley]

What is the name of your state? California

Leased a brand new 2016 Tahoe LTZ- $85k. Our lease is up in February 2019 and we intended to purchase th vehicle. We took it in for service at the Chevy dealership to have the AC replaced. We were told it would take 1-2 days for the part to come in. After a few days had passed, we started to worry and contact the dealership everyday for an update. They kept telling us the car wasn’t ready, but didn’t go into detail. 3 weeks later, we received a call from our lender stating the vehicle was involved in an accident. A tow truck hit our car at the dealership.

We had called the dealership many times asking to grab our personal belongings, but we’re told the car was under investigation and we weren’t able i see the car. Eventually, It is released to a local auto body shop where it awaited the tow company’s adjuster. Patiently waiting, 13 weeks later are told it is totaled. We were on vacation at the time. A few days later, when we got home, we contacted the auto body shop to grab our belongings. It’s now been towed away. Nobody knows where our car went with all of our personal belongings (car seats, x2 beats headphones, iPads, luggage, etc)

We were offered $10k to help purchase a new car. I feel very duped by the way this has drawn out. Over 3 months to be told our car is totaled is ludacris and doesn’t sit right. Family & friends have all said to contact an attorney ASAP. What’s your opinion? Is there any grounds for legal action?

 

[HighwayMan]

You need to either edit your post or reply to the thread and explain exactly what the situation is.

 

[Zigner]

You left car seats, 2 sets of expensive headphones, multiple iPads, luggage, etc. in a car that you were leaving at a dealership for repair? That's not believable at all.
I'm not sure what type of legal action you want to take. You'd only be entitled to the actual value of the vehicle at the time of the loss, and that money would go to the lienholder first.

 

[HighwayMan]

OP isn't even the owner, just the lessor. Ten grand sounds like a bargain.

 

[xylene]

Consider it a blessing, a 2 year old car that costs 85 grand and needs its ac rebuilt is a junker.

 

[HighwayMan]

Consider it a blessing, a 2 year old car that costs 85 grand and needs its ac rebuilt is a junker.

That's a bit harsh. OP didn't say what needed to be replaced (compressor, condenser, etc) but it was probably covered under warranty and things do go bad early on occasion.

I don't think "junker" is a good way to describe a truck that needs an AC repair.

 

[xylene]

That's a bit harsh. OP didn't say what needed to be replaced (compressor, condenser, etc) but it was probably covered under warranty and things do go bad early on occasion.

I don't think "junker" is a good way to describe a truck that needs an AC repair.

They are now walking away from a lease consequence free, plus getting 10 grand.

That's a lot better than having been stuck buying a vehicle with a history of premature failure (junker) of an expensive nature no less. And the privilege of paying full retail to do so.