Hi everyone, I didn't know where else to put this. Today at work when my coworkers and I were headed out to our cars for lunch, (parked on the street) we noticed all of our cars were completely covered in specks of motor oil. About 15 cars. There was one witness who seen the possible suspect driver, who's vehicle was smoking really bad and spewing oil all over the place out of it's exhaust pipe, the kind of exhaust pipe that sticks straight up in the air(big truck with company name on it). He drove by twice. Most of us have washed our cars with standard car washing detergent and water as soon as we got home. The oil however is not coming out, it's appearing to stain the cars. Does anyone think there is any legal action that can be taken to have this resolved? Maybe a professional cleaning or perhaps a new paint job for some of us. This really sucks, thanks in advance for any advice :)

It may be covered on your insurance under "comprehensive."

Your first issue will be to get this oil off, there are tar removers, even deisel fuel often will help used on a rag, then washed right off. Also a light rubbing compound and washed off and re-waxed.

There are heavy duty degressers that should do it also.

Hi everyone, I didn't know where else to put this. Today at work when my coworkers and I were headed out to our cars for lunch, (parked on the street) we noticed all of our cars were completely covered in specks of motor oil. About 15 cars. There was one witness who seen the possible suspect driver, who's vehicle was smoking really bad and spewing oil all over the place out of it's exhaust pipe, the kind of exhaust pipe that sticks straight up in the air(big truck with company name on it). He drove by twice. Most of us have washed our cars with standard car washing detergent and water as soon as we got home. The oil however is not coming out, it's appearing to stain the cars. Does anyone think there is any legal action that can be taken to have this resolved? Maybe a professional cleaning or perhaps a new paint job for some of us. This really sucks, thanks in advance for any advice :)


Well, if you really want to press this get the car professionally detailed, get it painted if you would like, sue the driver of the vehicle that slimed you in Small Claims Court (assuming you have proof who owned the vehicle), take your witnesses with you, take any other proof and ask to be reimbursed for your out of pocket.

Or just call your insurance company and report the incident and see what your insurance covers.

It would be a difficult case to prove, but not impossible.

You will have to prove that the driver/owner KNEW that this problem was present, and did nothing to correct it.

Without proving that, hey, something must have broken on the truck, he had no idea that the oil was spraying out, until after you served him with the law suit notice.

If you can't prove negligence, or prior knowledge of the problem, I don't think you can prevail.