QuestionHello. My name is Michael. I live in Acworth, Georgia. (Bartow County)
My father had a wreck on his moped on July 10th between the hours of 8 and 9pm. My family was only informed of this by way of word of mouth because my father works at a Gas Station and is known by many people. We called the Georgia State Patrol office trying to find out if a wreck had actually happened. We were given the run around and it took us about 45 minutes to actually find where it happened at. I was more interested in finding my father then his little 50cc scooter/moped. So I guess I should have known to ask the officer still at the scene if I would be allowed to take the vehicle home. The cost of the bike was around 775 (Brand New). It doesn't require a license/tag so I guess it doesn't have a "Title" either. If not my father had only owned it for not even one complete week. Now the first call that I received informed me that the towing expenses was $280. My father had not got home from the hospital at the time so I couldn't commit on anything with the "Gentleman" over the phone. My father just got home yesterday. Today I received a phone call from the (Agape Towing) towing company again. This time the total is $320. Nearly half of what the bike cost. I do not know if titles are issued on these. But he wants us to relinquish the title if we can't come up with the money. Which we obviously will not be able to. As my father spent three days in the hospital even with insurance I imagine the bill will be extreme. So what are our options if we even have any?
AnswerWell I am sorry to hear that your father had a wreck and I hope that he is doing better.
Now I have to say that in most cases tows ordered by police departments, be it City, County, or State, all have contracted rates of which the tow company is required to charge and use.
That being said, it is possible that might be the case here with the cost of the tow. Daily storage fees are sometimes spelled out in the contacts also.
At times, it does get to where the towing and daily storage fee is more than the vehicle is worth or cost. Specially true with the small scooters.
Now as to the issue of the "TITLE", many of the small mopeds - pocket bikes have no titles, only bill of sales. And that does create some issues and problems when the vehicle is towed.
The state laws which govern the towing company and its lien process to allow for them to dispose of the vehicle legally, does not differentiate between a car and a motor cycle.
It somewhat defines a "MOTOR VEHICLE" very simply as a vehicle powered by a gas, diesel or electric motor.
That is where your scooter will come in.
Now if the scooter is brand new, you might be able to get the paperwork from the dealer again if your father did not misplace it or anything like that. If they issued a bill of sale, you might take that to the tow company and see what they can do with it to help relieve your father of the responsibility of costs for towing and storage. But do it quick as the costs go up each day.
Sorry that I could not help more, but it looks like one of those kind of tows which are not common and are a bit gray area at times.
And I could not find any specific information for towing laws in the local area either. The state does have some "MAXIMUM TOWING RATES" which can be charged and the link is below
http://www.psc.state.ga.us/transportation/pdf/Maximum_Rate_Tariff_for_No_Tow.pdf
