Towing Issues: charging for towing and storage, bad apples, return receipt

Question
We sold a car on Thursday night, the next day no one could go to DMV to file the release of liability. Friday night (really Saturday morning) this kid that bought the car sent a picture of the car wrecked on the side of the road by cell phone. His Mother called and stated that she would get it all towed and taken care of and out of our name.Well she didn't we went ahead and sent the release now the tow Co. is charging us for T & S ? Sac. CA

Answer
Well California law does say that the registered owner of record is responsible for towing and storage. If you sent the release in a reasonable time to DMV, they should of recorded it and done what was supposed to be done.
But I have had lots of questions and heard lots of stories about how they did not do their jobs...  I know its after the fact now, but I would suggest now that if you do sell a vehicle, either go to DMV in person or send the release "certified return receipt requested" so that there is a paper trail and proof they got it...

Talk to the tow company and see what they will do in regards to working with you about the towing and storage or removing your name from the responsibility...  But be aware that they might not do much as sometimes people play the game of "I sold the vehicle" to get out of responsibility... Not everyone does it, but there are some bad apples that ruin things for everyone else...

You can check with DMV and see who they show as owner and if they got the release... That might help you a bit in discussions.