A BIZARRE law in a US state that allows tow companies to sell a driver’s unclaimed car after just two weeks is set for an overhaul – with new protections for drivers to be introduced.
Connecticut‘s controversial law currently permits tow companies to begin the process of selling unclaimed vehicles valued at $1,500 or less after just 15 days.
A bizarre US law allows tow companies to sell a driver’s car just two weeks after its towed away[/caption]
The law currently permits tow companies to begin the process of selling unclaimed vehicles valued at $1,500 or less after just 15 days[/caption]
But according to The Connecticut Mirror, the law has been tweaked – with new steps put in that require tow firms to notify vehicle owners.
They must also now extend the timeline before a sale can occur to 30 days after the tow.
These new changes, which aim to make the process fairer by extending the timeline and adding stricter requirements, have come in to address concerns – as many across the state felt the century-old law simply favored tow companies too heavily.
Often, the law was criticized for putting vehicle owners at a disadvantage – leaving them with little time to retrieve their cars or contest the tow.
While towing companies can still start the notification process after 15 days, the actual sale of the vehicle cannot occur until at least 30 days after the tow.
Furthermore, towing companies are now required to accept credit card payments, making it easier for vehicle owners to pay for towing and storage fees.
And vehicles can no longer be towed immediately for minor issues, such as expired parking permits or registration.
To that end, immediate towing is only allowed if the vehicle is blocking traffic, fire hydrants or parked in handicapped-accessible spaces.
These changes were driven by an investigative report by The Connecticut Mirror and ProPublica, which looked at how towing laws in the state disproportionately benefited tow companies – often at the expense of vehicle owners.
The new law aims to strike a better balance, protecting the rights of car owners – all the while maintaining regulations.
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles also vows to look at broader aspects of the state’s towing laws, which could even lead to more extensive reforms in the future.
This comes as, in Colorado, a new parking crackdown left a family stranded when their car was towed without warning while they were hiking in the Rocky Mountains.
Adam Dickerson was hiking with his family on Guanella Pass during the recent Labor Day weekend.
But according to 9News, the Dickerson family’s hike took place just before the annual leaf-peeping season – during a crackdown on illegal parking implemented after first responders faced difficulties reaching emergencies last year due to traffic congestion.
The warning came too late for the Dickersons – who experienced this first-hand just how far authorities were willing to go.
On August 31, their car was towed without warning while they were hiking and, with no cell service in the area, they struggled to find help.
Dickerson said: “The hike was great, we came down, and there’s no cars on the road at all.
“And so, it was confusing, but quickly we realized that the car was towed.”
At one point, Dickerson said his 71-year-old mother was forced to try to flag down cars and ask rangers for help, with the family eventually having to hitchhike to Georgetown then back up to Silver Plume where their car had been towed.
“We were happy no one was hurt, like we’re all safe, we made it,” Dickerson said.
“But it didn’t seem like the details shook out well enough for us to make it through without a ton of turmoil.”
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
