What to Do in the First Hour When a Shipped Car Arrives Damaged
This is general information, not legal advice.
The first hour at delivery is when the truck, the driver, and the vehicle are still in one place. Use that time to record what you can see before anyone leaves.
Inspect before you sign
- Walk around the vehicle before you sign the delivery bill of lading or any receipt that says the car arrived in good condition.
- Look at each side, the bumpers, the glass, the lights, the wheels, and the roof if you can see it safely.
- Open the doors only if the driver is present and the drop-off spot is safe. Note anything that was not there at pickup, if you have your pickup notes with you.
- If the light is poor, say that out loud and still take the photos. Do not wait until the truck has left to start looking.
Photos and video
- Take a short video that starts at the truck and walks around the vehicle.
- Photograph each side, then a closer photo of every area that looks damaged.
- In close-ups, include something for scale if you have it nearby, such as a coin or a ruler.
- Photograph the VIN plate and the odometer if you can do that while the driver is still there.
- Photograph every page you sign, including any damage note, before the driver leaves.
Driver's name and truck number
- Write down the driver's name as it appears on the paperwork, or on an ID the driver shows you.
- Write down the truck number, the carrier name on the door, and the truck license plate if you can see it.
- Note the delivery time and the delivery address.
The $29 Evidence Pack is a ZIP of 10 printable PDFs. Two of them are a delivery condition report (delivery date, time, location, inspector, driver, exterior panel condition, and photo exhibit references) and a photo exhibit guide (a shot list for overview angles, close-ups with a scale reference, and VIN, odometer, and license-plate photos).
Other guides
- Bill of lading notation — How to note damage on the delivery bill of lading, and why a clean signature makes it harder to show the damage.
- Claim denied — Ask for the denial reason in writing, request the carrier insurance certificate, and use the FMCSA complaint route.
- Claim filing window — Check your contract, bill of lading, and the carrier claim terms for the filing window, and gather the documents before you file.