When a towing company takes your car after an accident in Missouri, you have specific legal rights that protect you from predatory practices and excessive fees.
Missouri law requires tow companies to follow strict procedures for notification, fair pricing, and vehicle retrieval, and you can take immediate action to minimize costs and protect your property after a car crash.
After an accident, discovering your vehicle has been towed creates additional stress when you’re already dealing with injuries and insurance claims.
Storage fees accumulate daily, personal belongings may be held until payment, and you might face pressure from tow companies claiming ownership rights.
Understanding Missouri’s towing laws and your options can save you hundreds of dollars and prevent you from losing your car entirely.
What to Do First After Your Car Is Towed in Missouri
Finding out your car was towed after an accident can feel overwhelming. You’re probably worried about getting it back, how much it will cost, and whether your belongings are safe.
Acting quickly is critical. Every day your car sits in a tow yard costs you money in storage fees. Storage fees can add up quickly if your vehicle remains at a tow yard.
Step-by-Step: Find Your Vehicle Fast
Your first priority is locating your car and understanding what you owe. Here’s exactly what you need to do:
- Call the police department that responded to your accident. Ask for the tow company’s name and phone number. This information should be in the police report.
- Contact the tow company immediately. Confirm they have your vehicle and ask for the exact address where it’s being stored.
- Ask for a breakdown of all fees. This includes the initial towing charge and daily storage costs already accumulated.
- Get their business hours for vehicle pickup. Some tow yards have limited hours, which could delay your retrieval.
- Take photos of your vehicle before it leaves the lot. Document any damage to protect yourself from false claims later.
Step-by-Step: Stop Storage Fees Today
Storage fees continue to build until you move your car. Here’s how to stop the charges immediately:
- Contact your insurance company right away: They need to know about the accident and where your car is located so they can begin the claims process promptly. Your insurer may have relationships with preferred tow yards that charge lower rates.
- Move your vehicle as soon as possible: The fastest way to stop storage fees is relocating your car to a repair shop or your home.
- Keep detailed records: Save all receipts, take photos, and document every conversation with the tow company.
- Know your deadlines: Missouri law gives you specific timeframes to retrieve your vehicle before the tow company can take additional action.
Who Pays Towing and Storage After a Missouri Crash
The at-fault driver’s insurance should cover reasonable towing and storage costs. “Reasonable” means the charges must match typical rates in your area, not inflated prices.
How payment works depends on your insurance coverage. If you have collision coverage, your insurer will often pay the tow yard directly and then seek reimbursement from the other driver’s insurance company.
If the other driver caused the crash, their liability insurance should handle all costs related to the tow truck for accident removal. You may need to pay upfront if you only have liability coverage, then file for reimbursement later.
When the at-fault driver is uninsured or it’s a hit-and-run, your uninsured motorist coverage may apply to these expenses. Missouri’s pure comparative fault rules can affect who pays what percentage if you share some blame for the accident.
Can I Choose Where My Car Goes Now?
Yes, you have the right to decide where your vehicle is taken. Tow companies cannot legally prevent you from moving your car to any licensed facility once you’ve paid outstanding fees or arranged payment.
Moving your car won’t hurt your insurance claim. Many people choose to relocate their vehicle to a repair shop closer to home or one they’ve used before.
Your preferred shop may offer free towing from the current location, which saves you money. Some repair facilities also have lower storage rates than tow yards.
Always inspect your vehicle carefully before moving it. Look for any new damage that wasn’t there after the accident. If the tow truck damaged your vehicle during transport, document it immediately with photos.
Your Rights Under Missouri Towing and Abandoned Property Laws
Missouri Revised Statutes Section 304.155 protects vehicle owners from predatory towing practices. Understanding these protections can save you money and prevent you from losing your car.
A vehicle towed from an accident scene is not considered “abandoned property.” This means different rules apply compared to cars towed for parking violations.
Your legal rights include several important protections:
- Proper notification: Tow companies must send written notice to you and any lienholders within 10 days of taking possession.
- Fair pricing: All charges must be reasonable and consistent with local market rates.
- Property access: You can retrieve personal belongings during normal business hours, though some restrictions may apply.
- Sale protection: Companies must follow a strict legal process before they can sell your vehicle to cover fees.
Can a Tow Lot Keep My Personal Belongings?
Missouri law allows tow companies to hold personal property until reasonable fees are paid or payment arrangements are made. This is different from some states that require immediate release of personal items.
However, there are important exceptions you should know about. Emergency items like medications, medical devices, and child car seats should be released immediately.
You should also be able to retrieve important documents such as your driver’s license, insurance papers, and work materials. Many tow yard operators will work with you on essential items if you explain your situation.
If you’re being denied access to critical belongings, contact the police. An officer may be able to help facilitate the retrieval of necessary items.
What If Police Impounded My Car?
Police impounds are different from standard accident tows. This happens when criminal activity is suspected, you lack proper documentation, or your car is being held as evidence.
Police impounds create additional challenges you need to understand, particularly in cases involving intoxication where victims have specific legal rights after a DWI injury. Your vehicle may be held for days or weeks during an investigation.
Police impound lots operate under separate procedures and may have different hours than regular tow yards. You’ll likely need a formal release letter from the police department before retrieval.
Missing deadlines at a police impound can result in permanent loss of your vehicle. The stakes are higher, so don’t delay in taking action.
What If the Tow Truck Damaged My Vehicle?
Tow truck operators must use reasonable care when handling your vehicle. If new damage occurs during loading, transport, or unloading, the tow company’s insurance should cover repairs.
Document any new damage immediately. Take clear photos from multiple angles as soon as you discover it. Compare these photos to ones taken at the accident scene. This helps prove the damage wasn’t there before the tow.
Get witness statements if anyone saw the damage occur. File written reports with both the tow company and your insurance company right away. The tow company may try to deny responsibility, but you have legal options. We can help you pursue compensation for negligent damage during transport.
What If the Tow Company Says They Own My Car
Tow companies cannot simply declare ownership of your vehicle. Missouri law requires a lengthy legal process before any company can obtain title to your car.
They must provide formal written notice and give you specific time to respond. Only after these waiting periods expire and court approval is obtained can they claim ownership. The process typically takes 30 days or more from the initial notice. You can prevent losing your car by arranging payment plans or moving it to another location.
Don’t ignore notices from tow companies. Even if you can’t pay immediately, contact them to discuss options.
Knowledgeable Missouri Auto Accident Law Firm
Every day costs you money and increases risks to your property. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we handle these urgent situations daily.
We have extensive experience helping Missouri accident victims with towing, insurance, and recovery matters. We understand the stress you’re facing and know exactly how to protect your rights.
Our team takes immediate action by contacting tow companies to stop excessive fees from building up. We negotiate directly with tow yards to arrange vehicle releases and transfers to your preferred location.
We also challenge unreasonable charges and coordinate with insurance companies while managing your property issues. Our goal is handling the legal complications so you can focus on recovery.
We’re available 24/7 to assist you. There are no upfront fees, and you don’t pay unless we win your case.
As the only law firm in Missouri that focuses exclusively on auto accident law, we know the specific challenges you face. We handle every case personally, ensuring you never feel like just another number.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll explain your options and start protecting your rights immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Quickly Must a Missouri Tow Company Notify the Owner and Lienholder?
Missouri law requires tow companies to send written notice to both the registered owner and any lienholders within 10 days of taking possession. This notification must include specific information about retrieval procedures and fees.
Can a Tow Lot Refuse to Release My Personal Items Until I Pay Storage Fees?
Yes, Missouri tow companies can legally hold personal property until reasonable towing and storage fees are paid or payment arrangements are made. However, they must release essential items like prescription medications and identification documents.
Will My Insurance Company Pay the Tow Lot Directly If I Cannot Afford the Fees?
If you have collision coverage, most insurance companies will pay tow lots directly or reimburse you quickly to prevent storage fees from accumulating. Contact your insurer immediately to arrange this payment.
How Long Do I Have Before the Tow Company Can Apply for Title to My Car?
After proper legal notice and waiting periods of typically 30 days, tow companies can begin the process to obtain title. However, you can prevent this by making payment arrangements or moving your vehicle.
What Should I Do If the Towing and Storage Fees Seem Unreasonably High?
Request an itemized bill showing all charges, compare rates with other local tow companies, and document any excessive fees. You can file complaints with the Missouri Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Will Moving My Car to Another Location Hurt My Insurance Claim?
No, relocating your vehicle to stop storage fees or facilitate repairs will not damage your claim. Just document the vehicle’s condition with photos before moving it.
Should I Give a Recorded Statement to Get Reimbursement for Towing Costs?
Never provide a recorded statement about your accident to any insurance company without legal representation, even if they claim it’s needed for tow fee reimbursement.
How Do I File a Complaint About Predatory Towing Practices in Missouri?
File formal complaints with the Missouri Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and your local police department’s tow enforcement unit for investigation of illegal practices.
What Steps Should I Take If the Tow Truck Caused Additional Damage to My Vehicle?
Immediately photograph all new damage, notify the tow company in writing, file claims with their insurance and your own, and contact an attorney to protect your rights.
