Towing Issues: Car stolen/not worth recovering, tow company, valid california

Question
Richard,

A friend of mine had his car stolen from his work(private property) and was later found damaged and undrivable. It was towed and stored over the weekend. When my friend went to pick it up the tow company wanted almost $600.00. The car was purchased for $300.00 by my friend so he told the tow company to keep it. They still said he had to pay the fees. His boss said, "Don't pay it!"(boss went with him). Now the employee has the bill in collections for even more money. What rights does he have in all of this?

J.B.
California

Answer
Well I hate to say it but the laws are specific and valid. California is real strict on towing and the fees.

The registered owner is responsible for towing and storage charges incurred when the vehicle is towed, regardless of the value of the vehicle.
Only thing on value is how fast and what procedures the tow company uses to gain legal rights to dispose of it under the law.  

A quick goggle search on California lein laws will show you what things he can do ..
But I feel that he will be dogged by the collection service for the fees. See if he can work with the towing service (if they have not gained ownership of the vehicle ) as they might work with him. But it does not always happen.

This is also where insurance helps, but a lot of people do not have insurance which will cover theft and the costs incurred . A sad but true fact.

Sorry for the bad news.