Long story short, there is not enough parking where I live (private complex, parking stickers issued > parking spaces available). I came home from work last night at my second job and parked right outside of my place to unload. I threw on my flashers and went inside. I even left the door open. As I was putting things upstairs I heard the tow truck, so I went out to move my car, which was in a fire/loading zone. It is labelled as a fire zone, but in the daytime it is considered a loading zone since moving trucks and the like are too large to fit in the designated spaces.
Anyway, he was NOT under the car, and was still lining up. I flagged him down, then walked beside his truck as he positioned himself to lift my car. He told me he had to tow it because it was parked illegally; I told him I was unloading and moving it (I had my keys in my hand). We went back and forth, and he finally told me $25 cash to leave it there. I decided to pay it, and I called the cops (just to report the incident) and his dispatcher. I am about to call his boss this morning, but I need some info first.
I know that a drop fee MAY be charged in certain instances, but I am trying to determine whether that fee applies only to called or dispatched towing, or whether it applies to patrol towing as well. I also am trying to determine at what point the fee may be charged, if it is patrol towing. It is not like he made a special trip due to a call or dispatch, AND he was not backed up to or hooked up to or even under my vehicle, when I first got out there. He backed into position while I was walking beside the vehicle and talking to him. I need to know if the fee may be charged as of when he arrives on site to patrol, when he "spots" the vehicle, when he blocks the vehicle, when he lines up on it, when he goes under it, or only once it is lifted.
Thanks to any and all who can help!
Having trouble finding towing laws
It is considered a loading zone by management, at least for purposes of when people are moving in or out. It is also where pizza/delivery people park during all hours of the day or night. I talked to management, and as long as I was going in and out (I was- the DOOR was still open) and as long as he had not lifted my vehicle (he had not) , it was an invalid charge. Management at my complex is calling the towing company today.
While the towing industry is considered "interstate commerce," and therefore regulated by federal law (as opposed to local ordinances), other specific areas of towing law can be governed locally. I am digging into this mess now.
Towing law is hard to find, complex, and outdated. I have found several news articles, but half of it is crap.
The actual legal code is verbose and quite vague.
Towing law is hard to find, complex, and outdated. I have found several news articles, but half of it is crap.
The actual legal code is verbose and quite vague.
Well, I found out tonight from my townhouse management company that he was NOT supposed to charge a drop fee. the towing company agreed to refund my money, because I had his card AND could describe the driver and passenger.
On top of that, I do not have to worry about the driver coming back and towing me out of spite- at leat not while he is on duty. He is not allowed to tow from this property any longer, because he violated the local ordinances, and according to the contract between management and the towing company, any driver deemed to be guilty of an unlawful tow may not return to the property. NICE!
On top of that, I do not have to worry about the driver coming back and towing me out of spite- at leat not while he is on duty. He is not allowed to tow from this property any longer, because he violated the local ordinances, and according to the contract between management and the towing company, any driver deemed to be guilty of an unlawful tow may not return to the property. NICE!
Happy ending, but this may help if needed in the future.
http://64.233.167.104/search?q...ndon+( ... ance&hl=en
http://64.233.167.104/search?q...ndon+( ... ance&hl=en