WreckMaster Blog - Let's talk about: Secondary damage

[JustinCruse]

What is secondary damage?

Secondary damage is any damage that occurs to the casualty during the hook-up, tow, transport or recovery. Secondary damage can include:

• Damage to the casualties body
• Damage to paint 
• Broken windows, headlights or windshield 
• Damage to wheels, tires or wheel wells 
• Frame damage

What causes secondary damage?

Secondary damage can be caused by a number of factors, including mistakes by the operator, poor planning, unforeseen road conditions or poorly executed rigging or set up. Although some secondary damage is unavoidable, it is the operator's responsibility to ensure that minimal damage is caused to the vehicle during hookup or recovery.

Note: As mentioned, some damage is unavoidable. This should be documented ahead of time and the owner should be made aware before executing the tow or recovery whenever possible.

Any unnecessary damage that occurs during hookup or recovery is referred to as avoidable damage.

Who pays for secondary damage?

Any time avoidable secondary damage occurs, it must be paid for, whether it be out of the operators pocket, the company’s or by the company insurance. Regardless, avoidable secondary damage always reflects poorly on the operator that caused it.

Be strategic when planning to avoid secondary damage whenever possible.

How can proper training help?

Proper towing and recovery training can teach an operator the ways they reduce damage to a casualty during hookup or recovery. WreckMaster teaches the latest techniques designed by our team of industry-leading instructors specifically designed to do it right the first time, everytime and with as minimal damage as possible. 

To learn more about reducing secondary damage, check out WreckMaster’s online Safety Meeting: Secondary Damages or attend one of our hands-on training courses.

View the full article on WreckMaster.com...