A MAN was left outraged after he spotted a car being illegally towed right before his very eyes – but his quick thinking saved a customer from a potentially hefty fee.
A vehicle expert, who runs a business restoring and servicing classic cars, revealed how he was able to step in and stop a company notorious for its predatory towing practices.
YouTube/@FOX4 News Kansas CityA tow driver was caught red handed illegaly towing a vehicle outside a man’s business[/caption] YouTube/@FOX4 News Kansas CityHaney’s Trucking and Tow, a notorious tow company based in Kansas City, Missouri, attempted to illegally remove a vehicle[/caption] YouTube/@FOX4 News Kansas CityThe incident was caught on camera, with the driver claiming he was ‘just following what his boss says’[/caption]According to a report by FOX4, a tow truck driver working for Haney’s Trucking and Tow, based in Kansas City, Missouri, attempted to illegally remove a vehicle parked outside the man’s business.
“To see people violating state law – the same law I am expected to follow,” said the man, who filmed the incident but asked to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation from the tow company.
In video footage of the incident, the Haney’s Tow truck is seen arriving at the scene and quickly attempting to remove one of the man’s customer’s vehicles – until he intervenes.
Worse still, the tow driver attempted the tow without a property representative, in violation of Missouri law.
The law states that a tow is illegal unless the property owner or a property manager – someone legally representing the property – is present.
Naturally, this leaves the business owner stunned.
“To see another company with such blatant disregard for the law was just disrespectful,” he said.
When asked why the tow was being carried out without the legally required property representative present, the driver merely said: “I just follow what my bosses say.”
This comes as a woman fought back against a Haney’s Trucking and Tow and won – after her food truck was illegally taken from an empty lot.
The Kansas City resident, owner of the food truck ‘Crazy Tacos,’ was even able to secure a $7.1 million judgment.
In the original incident, the driver parked her truck without issue, saying the lot had no signs, fences, or warnings prohibiting parking, her lawyer told FOX4.
But, within 30 minutes of parking there, her food truck – her entire livelihood and only vehicle – vanished.
The company held her truck for 699 days and demanded thousands of dollars for its return – and even attempted to transfer its ownership.
Worse still, when she eventually got the truck back, it was heavily damaged, missing equipment and barely operable.
Despite the loss of her livelihood, she fought back through legal channels, filing a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General’s office and pursuing a lawsuit.
Other drivers are being urged to follow the Kansas City woman’s lead and make sure they’re in a position to fight back against illegal tow practices – should you need to.
What to do if your car is towed
Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle.
If your vehicle is towed after parking in a “No Parking” zone or other legitimate reason, there are a few steps to take to get it back.
Steps to take when your car is towed:
Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial. Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail. Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative. Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.If you feel your vehicle was wrongfully towed, contesting the action can be done with the following steps:
Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle. Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better. Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state. Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly. Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases. Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer.Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak Law Firm
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