Imagine this….
You are driving home from work when suddenly you are struck from behind by a driver who was not paying attention to the road. While you are still getting your bearings and before you have had a chance to speak with police – or an experienced personal injury lawyer – you get a knock on your window from a tow truck driver telling you that you need to get your car off the road. What do you do?
Unfortunately, all too many Albertans are quickly becoming aware of a practice known as “Predatory Towing”.
What is Predatory Towing?
Predatory Towing occurs when a third-party tow truck company shows up to the scene of an accident and puts a lot of pressure on a victim to have their vehicle towed as soon as possible – often before emergency services have even arrived on scene. Once towed, these companies will ask for astronomical fees for a myriad of suspicious charges such as towing fees, recovery fees, storage fees, etc. These bills can cost thousands of dollars for vehicles that may not have even needed to be towed in the first place.
Tips for protecting yourself against Predatory Towing:
In the event you are involved in an accident and a suspicious towing company pops up and offers their services, keep these tips in mind to avoid falling victim to a Predatory Towing scam:
- Speak with Police: You are under no obligation to immediately remove your vehicle from the scene of an accident unless directed to by police. In the event that police require you to move your vehicle, they will call the tow truck for you and will use a genuine company with reasonable prices. If you are unsure whether you need to have your vehicle removed from the scene by a tow truck or can simply move your vehicle yourself, speak with the officer overseeing the scene of the accident.
- Review the Towing Company Online: You have the right to choose which company tows your vehicle and where it goes. If a tow truck driver claims that they are there to tow your vehicle, ask for the towing company’s name and if the police have authorized this tow or not. It never hurts to do a quick Google search of a towing company and read their reviews before agreeing to have your vehicle moved off-site.
- Call Your Lawyer: If you are the victim of an accident and are unsure of what to do next, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help walk you through the next steps to ensure that you are protected and know your rights.
Our Managing Partner, Ricky Bagga, recently appeared on CTV News to discuss the practice of Predatory Towing and share some insight on the subject. You can watch his interview below or via this link.
No one plans to be the victim of a motor vehicle accident, and amongst the shock and tumult of a collision, it is easy to fall prey to bad actors who are looking to take advantage of people in vulnerable situations. When it comes to Predatory Towing, don’t let you or your loved ones learn the hard way when picking up your vehicle from the lot – to be forewarned is to be forearmed!
Questions?
Injured in an accident? Have questions? Don’t wait! Contact us today for a free phone consultation. Our experienced team of legal professionals will work with you and your needs to set you on the best path toward maximizing your health recovery and receiving the compensation you are entitled to.
Written by: Tyler van Vliet