Predatory towing has long been a thorn in the side of American drivers — whether their car breaks down at home or they’re forced to move it after a crash. But a Kansas City woman just won a $7.1 million judgment against a local towing company, sending a message to the U.S. towing industry: illegal practices won’t go unpunished. IBISWorld estimates the towing industry is worth $14.4 billion as of 2024.
Attorney Brianne Thomas, a partner at Boyd Kenter Thomas & Parish LLC, calls it a righteous fight, one that began in 2022, when her client parked a food truck in an empty lot behind a shuttered restaurant. There were no signs forbidding parking, no fences, and no warnings. And yet, within 30 minutes, the truck — her entire livelihood — was towed away.
“They were successful, they had her truck for 699 days,” Thomas told Fox 4 Kansas City.
Now, with a verdict in hand, the case is being seen as a wake-up call for the towing industry.
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She fought an illegal tow — and won big
The woman’s food truck was the only vehicle in the lot at the time of the tow. Under Missouri law, a property owner must be present for a tow to be considered legal, but no one was on-site.
“They towed the truck after 30 minutes; they towed illegally,” Thomas told Fox 4.
Instead of paying the thousands of dollars the company demanded to release the truck, the woman filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s office. That decision paid off: a jury has now awarded her $6.9 million in punitive damages, plus $200,000 in compensatory damages.
“The people of Kansas City spoke loud. They spoke not just to this community but to the entire towing industry, and they said it’s not going to happen here, it’s not going to happen anywhere,” Philip Danaher, an attorney at Danaher Law Firm, told Fox 4.
As for the tow company, it appears to have shut down. Its office is now up for sale, and calls to the listed number go unanswered. A neighbor near a second location confirmed the business ceased operations within the last month.
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Protecting yourself from predatory towing
Predatory billing affects 29.8% of crash-related tows in the U.S., according to the Department of Transportation, but there are ways to avoid becoming a victim.
- Know your local laws. Towing rules vary by city and state, and the definition of a “legal” tow isn’t always obvious. Look up your area’s rules, especially if you regularly park in commercial or high-traffic zones.
- Be alert for warning signs. Watch for signage, fencing, painted curbs and fire lanes, even in empty lots. If you’re unsure whether it’s private property, play it safe and park elsewhere.
- Document the scene. If your car is towed, take photos of where it was parked, and ask for a copy of the tow authorization.
- Don’t just pay the fee. If something seems off, like missing signage or an unusually high bill, you don’t have to accept it.
- File a formal complaint. That’s exactly what the Kansas City woman did when her truck was taken without cause, and it made all the difference. She reported the incident to the Missouri Attorney General’s office, and, after a lengthy legal battle, won a $7.1 million verdict. Her story is proof that taking action can lead to real accountability.
A tow shouldn’t wreck your livelihood, but if it does, legal recourse is an option, and fighting back can work.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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