‘These fees are made up,’ warns lawyer as ‘predator’ tow companies target certain drivers – and fine them up to $200k | 7A8E9MV | 2024-05-10 12:08:01
'These fees are made up,' warns lawyer as 'predator' tow companies target certain drivers – and fine them up to $200k | 7A8E9MV | 2024-05-10 12:08:01
VEHICLE accidents have left specific drivers susceptible to predatory, exorbitant towing fines, a lawyer has warned.
Drivers have been subjected to $200,000 fines, but federal regulators are investigating some of the high fees.
The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, is investigating potentially deceptive business practices by towing operators across the US, according to The Trucker.
The FTC said trucking companies are particularly susceptible to extra high fees after getting towed.
Pete Buttigieg, the US Transportation Secretary, said he supports the investigation.
"When a truck driver's vehicle is towed, they can't earn a living until they get it back — leaving them vulnerable to predatory junk fees from towing companies," he said.
Buttigieg called the hidden costs for truckers "junk fees" and "predatory."
Gene Funk, the general counsel for a Maryland-based trucking firm, said he aided a company that received a $202,000 fee to tow a tractor-trailer.
Another company was charged $100,000 for a tow with dozens of high-cost line items, like a $6,000 gas surcharge.
"[These fees are] made up," he said on a webinar, The Trucker reported.
"They're fictitious. You have to challenge these charges."
Funk said he has seen several tow operators charge truck companies per pound towed.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> In several cases, Funk fought for companies that were charged for an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer.
The companies, he argued, only had 20,000 pounds of equipment.
The fees plummeted from six-figures to just $24,000.
Another towing attorney, Renee Bowen, had two suggestions for drivers when their vehicle is about to get towed.
<p class="article__content--intro"> Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle. </p> </div> </div> First, Bowen suggested avoiding signing any tow operator-provided paperwork at the scene of an accident.
She also suggested drivers take a series of photographs before their truck is carted off.
"Photographs are incredibly important," she said.
Truckers can also join state trucking associations to help spread information about towing operators.
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