Florida statutes 323.002 and 715.07 cover some parts of the towing (aka wrecker) industry, but not all.
In Hillsborough County, the Public Transportation Commission regulates parts of the industry that handle governmental tows (i.e. if you’re in a car accident and your vehicle needs to be removed; or if your vehicle needs to be moved for safety reasons). But in cases when your car is towed from a lot where you should not have parked, or improperly towed from a place your vehicle has a right to be, the PTC doesn’t have authority to regulate.
That’s why it plans to lobby legislators to make a change in the law to allow them to enforce regulations on aspects of towing outside of governmental uses.
But that may only cover Hillsborough County. In other areas, your local police department of sheriff’s office may be able to assist. And/or, you may have to resort to small claims court to recover funds or restitution you believe you’re owed.
Posted by A Driver, Tampa on 07/25 at 05:27 PM
I am a wrecker driver and I also do some private impounds. The company I work for has to be called by a manager or rep. of the company or property we are towing for to authorize the tow. If no one is there to sign for it, the vehicle will not be towed. We do not drive around and look for something to tow. It has to be authorized. we get a lot of people who think its our fault but in all reality we are not the ones who illegaly parked the vehicle. people need to follow the rules of apts. or condos or HOA’s that are in your lease agreement. Rules are rules people. Follow them and tell your visitors before they park or else its no ones fault but yyour own.
Posted by Pauline Dowling, Tampa on 07/23 at 11:19 PM
Last December I awoke to the sound of Pete’s Towing. I leaped out of bed, looked out the window & witnessed the driver taking photos of my visiting parents’ Ford truck. I opened my bedroom window & yelled to him “What do you think you’re doing?” His response was “Towing this truck. It’s reserved for Handicapped”. My response was “I don’t think so! Try looking at the license plate!” To his surprise even though he had photographed it (for liability issues), it revealed a Georgia Handicapped plate. Embarrassed, he quickly got in his tow truck & quickly drove away. My experience with Pete’s Towing...they are idiots! Thankfully my HOA recognized this as well. Pete’s Towing no longer stalks my community.
Posted by Danielle Deorio, sarasota on 07/23 at 10:23 PM
I just had my car towed from my condo unit where I have owned and have had my car registered for two years. My decal was a cheap decal where it pealed with the heat. So, my sticker had fallen off. As far as I’m concerned the condo association authorized a towing company to illegally take my car from the premisis.I had to pay $160.00 to retrieve my car. I’m fighting this amount with the association. Why doesn’t the towing companies go by license plates that are registered to the building?
Posted by al ordiway, tampa, on 07/23 at 09:59 PM
i was informed of the editorial earlier in the day and watched it on t.v. for myself . i am a wrecker driver for a small company in tampa and only cover a small area . my company is on the rotation list with local law enforcments. i every now and then get a customer that ask questions about other companies that over charge or impropperly impound cars . its hard to explain to them when they have already been taken advantage of . i myself try to keep the ( private impound ) service down to a minimum just because of the fact that there are so many people out there that do it and certain companies abuse the pricing
Posted by sherry sanders or alesha wright, seffner on 07/23 at 06:19 PM
My daughter’s car was towed by Pete’s Towing. They refused to release the car to her because her name was not on the title. Once we went to pick up the car I paid all the fees that they said we owed $354.00 But, when we went over to the yard where the car was stored, the worker there told us he would not bring our car out of the yard unless we paid an additional $25.00. I had to send for 2 tow trucks. While we waited for the 2nd tow truck to come my daughter and I were forced to push the car out ourselves. I have filed a complaint with the BBB but I have not received a responds from Pete’s Towing as of today (07-23-07) the complaint was filed on 06-25-07. My daughter suffer from Scoliosis (over 50u;rve of the spine)
Advertisement
Send Us Your Comments |
Terms & Conditions |
* Comments Must Include Full Name And Location
Posted by James Stewart, 624 17th ave west Bradenton Florida 34205 on 07/26 at 01:56 PM
Fl State Statute 713.78 is the towing bible for Florida. Priviate prop towing is the #1 problem in the towing industry in every state. The statue says that only the Assoc pres or the apt mgr can have a vehicle removed. The state towing association has been involved in making state laws since the beginning I suggest you contact the Professional Wrecker Association of Fla for info (407)402-1040 talk to Mike Seamon, the exec director of the assoc. I will tell you I have been in the towing business for 22 years in Fl. and most of the towing industry are good hard honest people, just like any other industry we have some bad eggs.