Location: Dallas, Texas
Hi Mates. Need some legal suggestions. I took my friends car to go to my brothers place and parked car in visitor parking.. went upstairs and once I entered home he said I’ve to register vehicle for parking or else will get towed. While he’s saying my car is already making sound(alarm) and when went to car towing company already started towing. All these happened with in 5 minutes. Towing company didn’t fully hooked the car they just lifted front wheels about to lift rear wheels. I requested towing people to release car but he asked a drop off fee $100. Which I refused to pay and which led into a heated argument and opposite person ended up calling cops. Cops came and resolved issue and asked me to pay $100 drop off fee to release vehicle. While paying I don’t have cash and requested for debit/credit payment which towing company refused and said cash only. I said as I don’t have cash I need to drive to ATM to get cash for that I need my car. Then he asked to keep my phone as collateral and he’ll release car and follow me to ATM which I refused. And asked him to provide ride to ATM which he refused. I ended up calling my friend and wait for 15 min to get cash. And paid on spot. While paying I asked for receipt which they refused and I pressed for receipt then he provided a scrap hand written white paper with vehicle plate, towing company and phone number. Which didn’t even state how much I paid whom I paid and the reason. Once my vehicle is released started home after some time and observed there is some damage with either alignment or struts not sure. And observed wheels making noice while applying breaks. I drove straight to dealership to get it inspected. It’s a new car(RWD) and I always engage handbrake which locks rear wheels. Looks like vehicle got damaged undercarriage.
Yesterday I went dealership to get estimation. They have an estimate around $2000 which I can’t afford.
Can I claim a complaint on towing company
For illegally charging $100 for partially hooked car (have video evidence of partially hooked car)
Refused to provide official receipt and provided hand written white paper (have white paper scrap receipt)
Refused to accept debit/credit cash only
And also reimburse damage(vehicle got serviced 4 days ago and running in good condition before incident)
I Have estimation repairs from dealership
Inspection repost says slight bent on struts, stress marks on rotors, damaged break pads, discrepancy in alignment, damage in tie rods and steering rack which may point to towing incident.
For record: In between transaction while I said I don’t have cash and have figure out. Cops said either you pay $100 now or $350 at impound(have to call my friend for $100)
When I pressed towing company for official receipt police intervened and told me to stop grinding tow truck agent and accept white paper receipt.
And whole cash to note transaction is monitored by cops from 3-5 feet
Can I win this dispute without involvement of attorney cause I can’t afford attorney as it may cost me extra and claim reimbursement of damage. Cannot just go on reading online article would like to hear from your experiences.
Please provide suggestions
Comments
It wasn’t illegal. They got called because you chose to park in a place you were not permitted to. They did work. They get compensated for the work. The person who made the error parking pays it. Your complaint should really be pointed toward your friend who didn’t tell you you couldn’t park there without registering your car.
Handwritten receipts are permitted. They don’t carry computers and printers with them in the trucks.
They can say they are a cash only business unless the municipality you were in has different ordinances. You probably would have been mad when you inevitably were told there would have been a 4% transaction fee on cards anyway.
As for the damage, they would be liable for causing it. But if they only had your car partially hooked, most of those damages you outlined wouldn’t have occurred from just partially hooking it up, so you may have trouble proving that they actually did it.