A. Lawyers are allowed in small claims court- at least in this state. We were trapped by time constraints - including my high school reunion - and multiple hospitalizations - and the symptoms of which included a high degree of confusion on my part. Amd our spare funds-which you need yay much money to start the legal ball rolling- was being sucked up by emergency medical needs. I had 8 hospitalizations for gosh sakes! Even after insurance paid their part we were barely able to keep the wolf from the door.
Our prior garage- which handled all repairs on my FIL's fleet of trucks in the 1950s, all his large family's personal car service, and OUR personal auto service since 1981 - and which was under new ownership and all the trustworthy staff fired and replaced, were unable to cope and we had decided not to use them anymore. That new ownership
sold the garage again and brought in staff who this time know what they are doing. So at least we have a trustworthy set of mechanics again. It was just one thing after another that particular autumn that hopefully won't recur again.
Thank you all for your sympathy and suggestions. I think I will post a google review on the local dealership and the tow service. I take DHs advice on most all legal issues-if he says it's not worthwhile pursuing legally - believe me it's not.