We can attest that the towing industry isn’t easy to succeed in. It takes a lot of hard work to build up a name and a list of clientele who’d be willing to call you every time they need a tow.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean you’d have to scam others just to improve your profits. The good news is the Congress is doing something about it. But don’t just rely on them, you should also know what to do in case this happens to you. Here are some things you should know about.
You have the right to…
- You have the right not to pay more than $100 if your car is towed without consent.
- You can pay the fee in cash, credit card or debit card.
- You can pay the tow truck up to $50 to release your car when it hasn’t left the lot yet.
- You can have your car released at any time of day because tow impound lots are required to have an attendant on site 24 hours a day.
- You can remove any personal property inside your towed car without any charge.
Challenging The Tow Truck Company
If you think your car was wrongfully towed, you can certainly challenge the tow truck company. To do that, you should research the local laws regarding parking. There are allocated time limits as to how long you can park. You have to produce evidence that you haven’t exceeded that time.
There must also be a clear sign for your car to be towed when you parked it a particular spot. If not, then the towing isn’t lawfully done. Make sure you take pictures of the lack of signage to improve your chances of winning.
Tow truck companies should have a valid permit from the municipality. If not, then you know that they have illegally towed your vehicle. You can file a complaint to get your car without paying anything.
The rates from towing companies should also be reasonable and within the limit set by the locality. If not, the towing company can be penalized and you may be liable to you.
