Legal Question in Traffic Law in Texas

Automotive Towing Dispute

I was recently parked at a businesses parking lot with signs that were not posted in the line of sight that cars would be towed. An announcement was made that vehicles were being towed and I immeadiately went outside to move my vehicle. A wrecker was already there with my vehicle lifted, but not hooked up. The wrecker driver told that he could not release my vehicle unless I paid him $120. At which point I went back inside and got money out of the ATM, an aquantence of mine who recently graduated in criminal justice came out and told me that wrecker drivers are not allowed to demand money unless the have already moved the vehicle and hooked it up to thier rig. The yound man with that was demanding the money snatched the money from me, dropped my truck and quickly drove out into the street and pulled out onto the main road into traffic with his towing rig down. I am going to call the company, but I cannot demand my money back because the driver did not give me a receipt. Any help that could be offered would be appreciated.


Asked on 11/18/02, 4:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Coral Gunter Coral S. Gunter, Attorney at Law

Re: Automotive Towing Dispute

My best suggestion is that you call the towing company and let them know what happened. Find out what their policy is. I am not certain if the tow company can take money if the truck was not hooked up. However, if the tow company tells you that they are within their legal rights, then let them know that you need a receipt and that you want them to tell you how they believe they are within their legal rights. Put them on the defensive. Otherwise, you may want to demand your money back in writing through certified mail keeping a copy for yourself. After contacting the tow company, your next move may be to contact an attorney in your area to help you move forward. That's the best I can do.

Read more
Answered on 11/18/02, 5:15 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Traffic Law questions and answers in Texas