QuestionMy husband's car was recently towed from an apt complex which was private property because it had been parked in a tenants space. The apartment manager called and had it towed after the off duty officer that resides in the complex wasn't able to find the rightful owner. It was towed on 3/13/09. I didn't receive a notice from the towing company until 3/21. Is there a certain time frame that they are supposed to contact the owners or run the plates?
My husband had been missing since the 3/11/09. To make a long story short, after I received the notice in the mail from the towing company, I informed the police and they went out and searched the car on 3/26/09 and found my husband in the trunk. He had been there since 3/11-3/26. This is crazy. Is there some regulations for taking inventory of the contents of the car after the vehicle had been towed to the "yard"? I'm trying to find out so that something can be done or implemented to keep this horrible tragedy from happening to someone else. There was 2 long hard weeks that could have been prevented if there was some kind of provisions in this matter. This could have been someone's small child or something harmful like a bomb in it. I'm having a difficult time finding any information locally here in Shreveport, LA and would appreciate any help or information that you could provide.
AnswerWell I am sorry for your loss, and I am sure its not a good thing to discuss here...
But Louisiana is a state where the tow companies are regulated by the Public Service Commission...
That being said, I have to bring up a few points here...
Generally notices of towed vehicles are started in 48 to 96 hours after it is towed and the tow company has to notify the State DMV that they would like to get the registered owner information, so they can send a letter via the US Postal Service to notify of towing the vehicle to the owner - lien holders... That takes time to do and mail..I am assuming that you got the notice in the mail
Now as to checking out the vehicle before towing, by either the apartment management or the "off duty officer" who tried to find the owner, well I have to point out "if its locked or closed and not visible though the windows then they are not able to see things... Remember that it would be impractical for someone to open up trucks, glove box and stuff to see what is in each and every parked vehicle be it legal or not... Privacy issues are one thing, but sometimes there are not ways to do things without causing damage to the vehicle.
I do agree that it could of been easier or faster in respect to your issue here, but hindsight is always 20-20.
As to "inventory" of the vehicle when it is in the tow yard, well that goes back to the same issue as above.. They do a visual check of the vehicle for things and property, but they do not do complete checks of the vehicle (meaning pop locks on trunks and such) till it is owned by the tow company or someone buys it at auction... Remember up till that time it is still owned by the vehicle owner.
as to some answers on towing laws, here is a link to the ones that I use for answering questions on here..
http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/search.asp?RS=RS&SearchString=towing+
Hope this helps a bit with your questions...
