Using winch to recover other vehicle
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 577
Likes: 3
From: North Port, FL
I understand your desire to be a good Samaritan, and help those stuck in the winter but you are neither mechanically equipped, nor sufficiently indemnified to do so. Any damage to another car, regardless of the owners statements to the contrary at the time, can end up being liabilities that you'll absorb. It is one thing to assist persons on the trail or off-road, and quite another to engage in providing emergency services on public roads. That is what tow trucks, with their proper equipment, lighting, and insurance are for.
I hate that we've become a society scared to death to lend a helping hand to someone in need. I pulled an elderly gentleman's Jeep Commander out of some sloppy mud he had gotten himself into on the side of the road the other day and he was beside himself with gratitude, talking about how many other people had just blown past him without a second thought. Pulling him free was a non-event and took all of five minutes. Best part of all? Neither of our vehicles burst into flames or spontaneously exploded.
If I ever get stuck on the side of the road (or God forbid, need someone to administer CPR), I hope to hell that someone is willing to take the chance to give me a hand and not be too worried about whatever liabilities they may risk in the process...
(Sorry if I sound like a dick - it's not aimed directly at you, but more at the pervasive attitude of "CYA" that has become so commonplace in the minds of so many)
For myself, I'll keep helping people when I'm able.
</self-righteous rant>
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 896
Likes: 5
From: Ventura, CA
Wow dude. I hear what you're saying, but wow...
I hate that we've become a society scared to death to lend a helping hand to someone in need. I pulled an elderly gentleman's Jeep Commander out of some sloppy mud he had gotten himself into on the side of the road the other day and he was beside himself with gratitude, talking about how many other people had just blown past him without a second thought. Pulling him free was a non-event and took all of five minutes. Best part of all? Neither of our vehicles burst into flames or spontaneously exploded.
If I ever get stuck on the side of the road (or God forbid, need someone to administer CPR), I hope to hell that someone is willing to take the chance to give me a hand and not be too worried about whatever liabilities they may risk in the process...
(Sorry if I sound like a dick - it's not aimed directly at you, but more at the pervasive attitude of "CYA" that has become so commonplace in the minds of so many)
For myself, I'll keep helping people when I'm able.
</self-righteous rant>
I hate that we've become a society scared to death to lend a helping hand to someone in need. I pulled an elderly gentleman's Jeep Commander out of some sloppy mud he had gotten himself into on the side of the road the other day and he was beside himself with gratitude, talking about how many other people had just blown past him without a second thought. Pulling him free was a non-event and took all of five minutes. Best part of all? Neither of our vehicles burst into flames or spontaneously exploded.
If I ever get stuck on the side of the road (or God forbid, need someone to administer CPR), I hope to hell that someone is willing to take the chance to give me a hand and not be too worried about whatever liabilities they may risk in the process...
(Sorry if I sound like a dick - it's not aimed directly at you, but more at the pervasive attitude of "CYA" that has become so commonplace in the minds of so many)
For myself, I'll keep helping people when I'm able.
</self-righteous rant>
See post #11.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo,TX
Wow dude. I hear what you're saying, but wow...
I hate that we've become a society scared to death to lend a helping hand to someone in need. I pulled an elderly gentleman's Jeep Commander out of some sloppy mud he had gotten himself into on the side of the road the other day and he was beside himself with gratitude, talking about how many other people had just blown past him without a second thought. Pulling him free was a non-event and took all of five minutes. Best part of all? Neither of our vehicles burst into flames or spontaneously exploded.
If I ever get stuck on the side of the road (or God forbid, need someone to administer CPR), I hope to hell that someone is willing to take the chance to give me a hand and not be too worried about whatever liabilities they may risk in the process...
(Sorry if I sound like a dick - it's not aimed directly at you, but more at the pervasive attitude of "CYA" that has become so commonplace in the minds of so many)
For myself, I'll keep helping people when I'm able.
</self-righteous rant>
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 7
From: United States
Good info, and I'd agree...don't use the park pawl in an automatic transmission. Weak at best. Inside with foot firmly on brakes seems like a good place to be when winching. If you are on snow/ice and there are no fixed objects to push against, you're pretty much hosed.
About liability and stopping to help...I won't say do or don't. Instead, I'd say act in accordance with your skills and abilities and above all "do no harm." Your own safety should come first, and realize that most of what you do is at your own risk, if it goes poorly. Good Samaritan laws (read up on them) are there to protect you in certain circumstances, but they aren't iron-clad.
My other piece of advice (it's free...) is to not immediately assume a situation is accidental/innocent. Think about your own safety and what else could be going on. In the example of the vehicle stuck in a snowy ditch, is it safe for you to stop? Why did the vehicle get stuck-- was it an oops, was it a medical emergency, is the driver drunk/high/DUI? Is the driver or vehicle involved in a crime? You might find you can save the day, OR, you could find you just inserted yourself into someone else's shitstorm. Be careful out there
About liability and stopping to help...I won't say do or don't. Instead, I'd say act in accordance with your skills and abilities and above all "do no harm." Your own safety should come first, and realize that most of what you do is at your own risk, if it goes poorly. Good Samaritan laws (read up on them) are there to protect you in certain circumstances, but they aren't iron-clad.
My other piece of advice (it's free...) is to not immediately assume a situation is accidental/innocent. Think about your own safety and what else could be going on. In the example of the vehicle stuck in a snowy ditch, is it safe for you to stop? Why did the vehicle get stuck-- was it an oops, was it a medical emergency, is the driver drunk/high/DUI? Is the driver or vehicle involved in a crime? You might find you can save the day, OR, you could find you just inserted yourself into someone else's shitstorm. Be careful out there
JK Freak
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: huntington beach CA
I understand your desire to be a good Samaritan, and help those stuck in the winter but you are neither mechanically equipped, nor sufficiently indemnified to do so. Any damage to another car, regardless of the owners statements to the contrary at the time, can end up being liabilities that you'll absorb. It is one thing to assist persons on the trail or off-road, and quite another to engage in providing emergency services on public roads. That is what tow trucks, with their proper equipment, lighting, and insurance are for.
I'm not baggin on you,, I think these days you actually do need to protect yourself from some ungrateful jerk you kindly assist out of an expensive situation. I remember as a 16 yr old kid, I would drive to the local mountains every snowstorm and just drive around pulling people out of being stuck. We (me and my friends) had great times doing it,, and never charged a dime. Guess you cant do that now-a-days.I agree with the sit in the car and apply the brake technique,,, but every situation is different, which is what makes the problem solving fun.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 1
From: clinton, ok
If I had an auto I would put it either in R or N and hold my foot on the brake. I also have the person that needs to be pulled out of the ditch or snow bank hook up their own vehicle if it does not have tow hooks. I do carry the proper adapters to get into the frame of those that do not have tow hooks. They can be bought on line and do come in handy. If you can't assist without putting yourself in danger then I would not attempt anything until an officer arrived. Then if they don't mind you helping out it would be safer with them blocking traffic. I am old and come from a state where helping each other just comes natural.
