Car Damaged by Tow Truck - What Are My Options

[stuckinthemiddle12]

My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: CA
My car was recently damaged during a tow. Rear tire was punctured badly and then the tow truck ran into my front bumper causing punctures/gashes to the bumper. Tow company replaced the punctured tire, but now I'm stuck with having 1 brand new tire with 3 remaining tires at 50% tread. The tow truck manager is asking me to use the body shop next door to his facility so no insurance is required and cost will be minimal to him. It's not very convenient for me to do this since the tow happened 75 miles from my house. I do go down to the area twice a week for work though.

I'm wondering if the tow truck company is responsible for replacing my other tire on the same axle. I have read that replacing only 1 tire on an axle is unsafe and it is always recommended to replace both tires especially if the other tire is at a lower tread level. Should I just go to a body shop near by house and settle this through insurance? Tow truck manager was pretty nice about the situation and I want to help him out, but I don't want to stuck with any issue down the road.

[PTPD22]

No, the tow owner is not liable for replacing a tire he/she did not damage, regardless of mismatched wear. However, by that logic, he/she should have replaced your damaged tire with a serviceable used tire with 50% wear!

You are not obligated to use the body shop desired by the tow owner.