Aggressive business tactics and excessive fees by some towing companies are fueling frustration among Los Angeles drivers, with complaints mounting over questionable practices.
Many cases involve towing vehicles from accident scenes and later charging exorbitant fees, or hauling away cars from locations without proper warning signs.
According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the nationโs largest consumer protection organization, more than 200 complaints about towing services were filed in the Los Angeles area last year alone.
Legal experts say the issue has led to a surge in drivers seeking legal assistance, particularly within the Korean American community.
โThe parking rules that were relaxed during the pandemic are now being strictly enforced again, and with the city cracking down on homeless encampments, illegal towing cases are also on the rise,โ said Dave Noh, an attorney. โMany drivers donโt fully understand towing laws, and weโve seen a significant increase in legal inquiries as a result.โ
In response, several major law firms in Southern Californiaโincluding Justice Direct, Kraut Law, Greg Hill & Associates, and Yepremyan Law Firmโare providing guidance to vehicle owners on their rights and legal options.
For some, the experience of predatory towing has been both frustrating and costly.
Last December, Choi Jung-kyun, 38, parked near a shopping mall in LAโs Koreatown and returned just minutes later to find his car being towed. โI had parked for about five minutes, and the front of my car was slightly in a loading zone,โ Choi recalled. โThere were no visible towing signs, and I told the tow truck driver I would move my car immediately. But they ignored me and towed it away without giving me any information.โ
Towing companies have also been targeting accident scenes. Yoo Il-joon, 45, from Fullerton, said he was involved in a collision in Los Angeles when a tow truck suddenly appeared, offering a free tow and a referral to a certified repair shop.
โI was dealing with the aftermath of the accident and didnโt think much of it,โ Yoo said. โThree days later, when I called to check on my vehicle, I was shocked to find that the towing fee had ballooned to over $600.โ
California law sets several key restrictions on towing practices: โถIf a vehicle owner arrives before the tow is completed, the operator must release the car โถTowed vehicles must be stored within 10 miles of where they were taken โถOwners have the right to retrieve personal belongings from their vehicle even if they have not paid the towing fee โถTow companies cannot demand cash payment on-site.
โThere isnโt a statewide towing fee standard in California,โ said attorney Lee Mi-soo. โBut local law enforcement agencies set their own limits, which towing companies cannot exceed. โConsumers can check with city or county offices to determine fair pricing. If they can prove they were overcharged, they may be eligible for compensation beyond the disputed amount.โ
In Los Angeles, the LAPD oversees towing regulations and operates 18 Official Police Garages (OPG) where impounded vehicles are stored. As of January 2024, the base fee for towing a standard vehicle is $195 when paid by credit card, with an additional charge of $11 per mile. Storage fees are $60 per day.
โTowing fees increased slightly in January, but these rates apply uniformly across Los Angeles,โ an LAPD spokesperson said. โThe city and the Police Commission review and set these fees annually.โ
A report published in December 2023 by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) listed California among the top 10 states most affected by predatory towing, alongside New Jersey, Washington, Arizona, and New York.
BY YEOL JANG [jang.yeol@koreadaily.com]
