Author Topic: FDR Drive Towing Incident (Read 3785 times)

Boss · « **on:** April 03, 2024, 02:23:54 PM »

@Dan what do you say to this story?
I was driving last night on the FDR Drive in Manhattan when I passed a Jewish vehicle on the side with a Blowout Tire due to a large Pothole (many cars were affected by this within the next hour). I had all tools in my vehicle being that I am a Chavivim Member and I stopped to help him. After getting out to help the driver, all of a sudden a tow truck pulls up in from of my vehicle and starts backing up to my car. Seeing this, I ran back to my drivers seat but the tow driver cared less and still hooked me up while sitting in the drivers seat. Police arrived after me pleading with the tow driver that per NYC/NYS law he can't tow me if I refuse and/or I sit in the vehicle but no help. The police officer sided with the tow driver and I had to pay a fee (more details but too long to write).
After some back and forth phone calls with the towing company, they agreed they were in the wrong and will refund me the money.

See the video here
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mtv3qzzh20n041b6iyw12/Video-2024-04-03-at-00.00.08.mp4?rlkey=qzt5vbfwnlpudphz7mykh5byg&dl=0

Yehudaa · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2024, 02:37:55 PM »

I haven't watched the video, but given that they agreed to refund the money, what advice are you looking for? Whether you should sue them? For what damages?

Dan · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2024, 02:39:13 PM »

Quote from: Boss on April 03, 2024, 02:23:54 PM

@Dan what do you say to this story?

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=21675.0

Boss · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2024, 02:50:02 PM »

Quote from: Dan on April 03, 2024, 02:39:13 PM

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=21675.0

LOL, I mean to say on the legal end for damages? A yid thinks...

sillypainter · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2024, 02:58:46 PM »

Welcome to NYC.

ushdadude · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2024, 03:27:13 PM »

from experience it does seem like the police and tow companies are in cahoots somehow

ckmk47 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2024, 04:52:38 PM »

Quote from: ushdadude on April 03, 2024, 03:27:13 PM

from experience it does seem like the police and tow companies are in cahoots somehow

Years ago, my car was in an accident a block from home. It could have been pushed a few feet to the curb to give me time to get my own tow or mechanic.
The cop insisted it needed towing NOW. With the tow guy there who will charge extra to tow it to anywhere but his garage.

ushdadude · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2024, 04:56:18 PM »

Quote from: ckmk47 on April 03, 2024, 04:52:38 PM

Years ago, my car was in an accident a block from home. It could have been pushed a few feet to the curb to give me time to get my own tow or mechanic.
The cop insisted it needed towing NOW. With the tow guy there who will charge extra to tow it to anywhere but his garage.

very similar. someone hit our parked car. our car was still legally parked and we had a ow truck en-route. cops insisted it needed to be towed by their people.

Yehudaa · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2024, 05:03:15 PM »

Quote from: Boss on April 03, 2024, 02:50:02 PM

LOL, I mean to say on the legal end for damages? A yid thinks...

What are your damages?

ExGingi · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2024, 05:07:06 PM »

I think the issue might have been that one is not allowed to service on the highway. Only authorized tow service can tow off the highway. They pay for that franchise.

Boss · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2024, 05:10:43 PM »

Quote from: Yehudaa on April 03, 2024, 05:03:15 PM

What are your damages?

The same damages as all other lawsuits

Boss · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2024, 05:13:16 PM »

Quote from: ExGingi on April 03, 2024, 05:07:06 PM

I think the issue might have been that one is not allowed to service on the highway. Only authorized tow service can tow off the highway. They pay for that franchise.

The issue is that they lifted a vehicle without permission while the driver was inside which is against the NYC/NYS law. You are correct that you can't service vehicles on the highways but the tow trucks have no legal power and can't do anything to you. Cops can tell you to leave and you must obey but this wasn't the case here. Cops know what we do and usually tell us to do it fast while they stay in back with their lights on

ExGingi · « **Reply #12 on:** April 03, 2024, 05:55:59 PM »

Quote from: Boss on April 03, 2024, 05:13:16 PM

The issue is that they lifted a vehicle without permission while the driver was inside which is against the NYC/NYS law. You are correct that you can't service vehicles on the highways but the tow trucks have no legal power and can't do anything to you. Cops can tell you to leave and you must obey but this wasn't the case here. Cops know what we do and usually tell us to do it fast while they stay in back with their lights on

I don't think many are aware of this law. It would be good to raise awareness (and post a link referring to the law).

And while I am at it. Thank you very much to all Chaveirim volunteers!

YitzyS · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2024, 06:23:42 PM »

Quote from: ExGingi on April 03, 2024, 05:55:59 PM

And while I am at it. Thank you very much to all Chaveirim volunteers!

+1000

I have been saved from so much grief the last year alone because of the help of Chaveirim.

UKinNYS · « **Reply #14 on:** April 03, 2024, 06:29:20 PM »

never heard of Chavivim till recently is it for specific communities? same areas as Chaveirim?

AsherO · « **Reply #15 on:** April 03, 2024, 06:45:39 PM »

Doesn’t Charveirim (the organization) have resources for dealing with this?

ExGingi · « **Reply #16 on:** April 03, 2024, 06:46:53 PM »

Quote from: UKinNYS on April 03, 2024, 06:29:20 PM

never heard of Chavivim till recently is it for specific communities? same areas as Chaveirim?

Just to show me how much I (don't) notice details when reading on my phone. I didn't even notice it was Cavivim and not Chaveirim. I also haven't heard of this organization before.

Boss · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2024, 01:41:54 PM »

Quote from: UKinNYS on April 03, 2024, 06:29:20 PM

never heard of Chavivim till recently is it for specific communities? same areas as Chaveirim?

They are more or less the same in sense of volunteers being available 24/6 at the time of need without charging anyone.
The main difference is that Chaveirim is localized, each neighborhood under their own management and Hotline number. VS Chavivim is one global phone number/dispatching which means that any member from any area can accept calls anywhere. Therefore, callers have a bigger chance of getting coverage anywhere as a member just might be in that area at any given time. I'll be clear, Chaveirim is a wonderful organization and both have the same goal of helping Yidden at their time of need.

HudZ · « **Reply #18 on:** April 04, 2024, 02:54:15 PM »

Quote from: Boss on April 04, 2024, 01:41:54 PM

Chaveirim is a wonderful organization and both have the same goal of helping Yidden at their time of need.

+1 This deserves more than a like!

Boss · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2024, 03:40:14 PM »

Quote from: HudZ on April 04, 2024, 02:54:15 PM

+1 This deserves more than a like!

I can't agree more