DRIVERS could save thousands of dollars from a new bill that targets unfair towing practices.
Lawmakers have empathized with those who have been hit with unreasonable towing fees.
North Carolina drivers could save thousands from a new towing bill[/caption]
Lawmakers are targeting towing companies that use unfair practices and add-on fees[/caption]
Towing companies across North Carolina could face harsher penalties if they are caught charging consumers unfair fees, as reported by NBC’s affiliate WRAL.
Drivers often complain that towing companies typically charge a confusing combination of fees, including a base charge (like a hook-up fee) and a per-mile charge.
Some companies even tack on additional fees, including storage, after-hours service, or special equipment charges.
Under House Bill 199, the state would create a new government group, called the North Carolina Towing and Recovery Commission, that have the power to issue and revoke permits to tow truck businesses.
Leaders of the group would be picked by the governor and the state legislature.
The bill would also require towing companies and local businesses to make consumers and drivers aware of potential towing practices using explicit language or prominent signage.
Several lawmakers have backed the bill, including Representative Carson Smith.
“I’m not big on increasing the size of government … but this is a mess,” said Smith, during Tuesday’s debate.
During the debate, Smith recalled a story of a trucker in his district who was charged $3,500 to get his rig back after a towing incident.
Another representative, Carolyn Logan, said she recounts a tractor-trailer that was parked illegally in Charlotte, North Carolina, had been targeted, with the driver still waiting inside the truck.
The driver’s truck was booted by a local towing company, and it cost $12,000 to take the boot off.
Lawmakers agreed that drivers across the nation are facing unnecessary towing fees that most people cannot afford.
“This is a serious problem that we have going on in our state,” Logan said.
The problem is that there isn’t a universal, standardized towing fee structure across all locations.
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
Towing fees vary widely based on factors like location, distance, vehicle size, and time of day.
While some jurisdictions, like New York City, may have set maximum rates, the actual costs charged by towing companies often depend on those factors.
This bill also hopes to create a database that towing companies would be required to update with the vehicles they take, where they take them, and how much they charge.
That way, drivers who realize their vehicle has been towed can navigate the database and easily retrieve their car.
The database, a crucial part of the bill, would be run by the state.
“It protects not just our small businesses in the trucking and towing industries, but it protects consumers as well,” said Representative Laura Budd.
