QuestionMy mother was involved in an accident in King county Washington. The city of Fife on the freeway. Her truck was towed by a company called by the state patrol. They only had to tow her within a five mile radius. They charge 170.00 an hour. When we got to the tow company the next day they charged her 453.00 for the just the tow. Just this seem right to you? She paid them to dispose of the truck. They would not allow us to take out the radio or speakers. They said if it was screwed in we couldn't take it.
Thank you for any help you can provide
AnswerThis is actually several questions. I'll do my best to answer each one.
Yes, that is a lot for just a tow. Yet, there could be other reasons, such as a multi-car crash, winching, dollies, a death due to the crash, an on crash site investigation. Storage fee's, admin fee's if the towing company had to send out letters.
Did she take them the title? We personally will ask for the vehicle owner to pay the tow bill & sign the title over to us. A towing company has to have the title before they can dispose of any vehicle. If no one claims the vehicle letters have to be sent, an ad in the newspaper, an auction, then pay to get the title to dispose of the vehicle. Depending where the storage lot is located, they have had to drain all the fluids from the vehicle if there were any leaks.
I can give you more information by knowing a few more details. How many days did she wait to go to the towing company?
Your telling me she was not allowed to remove anything 'installed' in the vehicle. If this is an insurance claim, that would be right, the insurance companies will not allow towing companies to let anyone remove items that are installed. Yet if insurance is involved, I don't understand why would she have paid the tow bill.
Was she issued a ticket for being at fault for the crash? Did she hit another vehicle or one hit her?
Without all the facts, I can't say for sure the she was over charged.
I would direct you to www.municode.com, go down the page to the library, click on your state, then county or city. Search for the towing rules & regulations. There should be rates set for each type of towing.Day rates, nights or holiday rates. The fee for over time not included with the basic tow, mileage fee's, storage fee's and so on.
Hope you can find out if she was charged the correct amount, if not, be sure to let the state police in that area aware of the charges. In most state troops there is a person in their area who oversee's the towing companies included on their rotation list. If your Mother was over charges, be sure to report it to all law enforcement agents in the area. Send a copy of the bill to each one to go in the towers file. If this is something the company has done before, in most places they will be removed from the towing list. Also, make sure she is refunded the amount she was over charged.
Also, follow up on the insurance company, make sure the company wasn't paid by them.
Best of Luck.
Lisa
