A car crash is stressful and overwhelming. If your vehicle was towed after the crash, you might be wondering, can I get my belongings from my towed car after an accident? You can retrieve personal belongings from your vehicle, but the process depends on the tow facility and why the vehicle is being held.
A Jersey City car accident attorney from Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., can help you understand your options if problems with the tow are part of a larger accident claim.
This guide explains how to locate your belongings, what to expect when you contact the tow lot, and what to do if you have trouble accessing your property.
What Are Your Legal Rights to Your Belongings?
New Jersey’s Predatory Towing Prevention Act governs many aspects of non-consensual towing in the state. This law, combined with previous court decisions, makes up the rules governing what happens when your vehicle is towed.
A towing and storage company cannot hold your personal items until you pay the full towing bill. The lot only has a statutory lien on the motor vehicle or its parts for towing and storage charges.
Tow companies may allow you to retrieve your personal items during normal business hours or at designated times as scheduled by the company. You are not required to pay the car storage fee before you take your own items.
Does Jersey City Regulate Towing and Storage Fees?
Yes. The Jersey City Municipal Code of Ordinances establishes several rules about towing, including reasonable fees based on vehicle class. Class I vehicles include passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans, motorcycles, and some sport utility vehicles.
Class II vehicles include larger passenger vehicles, large SUVs, and some light commercial vehicles. Class III vehicles can include medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
The maximum fees to tow, transport, convey, or move vehicles include:
- Class I vehicle—$150.00 (including $40.00 administrative fee);
- Class II vehicle—$200.00 (including $40.00 administrative fee);
- Class III vehicle—$250.00 per hour with a minimum of two hours (including $40.00 administrative fee; and
- Site cleanup—$25.00 per bag of absorbent and $25.00 per bag of debris removal.
There are also maximum storage fees under Jersey City regulations. For Class I vehicles, including two-axle passenger vehicles, a tow lot may charge only $30 per day for storage.
Additionally, Jersey City states that a tow company may not release a vehicle from storage unless the proper owner and vehicle identification are shown.
What Can I Retrieve from My Impounded Vehicle?
If the tow company allows you to retrieve belongings from the vehicle, items you may want to collect include:
- Wallets, purses, money, and credit cards;
- Cellphones, laptops, tablets, and work gear;
- Prescription medicine, child car seats, and house keys; and
- Legal paperwork, passports, and auto insurance records.
You cannot take parts that are attached to the car itself. These attached fixtures include custom tires, built-in stereo units, and engine parts.
When you speak with Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., car accident lawyers in Jersey City, you can find out more about your rights to get your personal property and how to do it without any issues.
How Do You Get Your Items Back in Jersey City?
You can get your belongings back with a few basic steps. Being prepared helps you avoid unnecessary delays at the lot.
Find the Tow Lot
First, find out which tow company picked up your car. The Jersey City Police Department can tell you which company was dispatched to your crash scene. You can also check your police accident form for the tow company’s name and lot address. Call the police non-emergency line if you cannot find your paperwork.
Gather Your Identification Documents
Tow lots must make sure they only allow the vehicle’s owner or another authorized person near the car. The facility may ask for:
- A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license;
- Your vehicle registration or title showing proof of ownership; and
- Current auto insurance cards.
If your personal documents are locked in your vehicle’s glove box, you can ask the tow company to have an employee escort you to your car to retrieve your documents.
You may also get a printout of proof of ownership documents and your driver’s license from the DMV, and call your insurance company for a copy of your auto insurance cards. These steps may take time, so it’s important to get started right away.
Call Before You Visit the Lot
Do not just show up at the tow yard without calling ahead. Many tow lots have separate visiting hours for picking up personal property. Calling ahead can help make sure an employee is available to walk you to your car. It also gives you a chance to double-check what paperwork they need to release your possessions.
Take Photos and Document Damage
While at the lot, take photos of all damage to your vehicle. Also, take clear photos of your personal belongings if they were broken in the crash. These photos provide valuable evidence for your property damage claim. They can help document which personal items were lost or damaged in the collision.
Retrieve Your Personal Property Only
You can collect your personal property, but not the car’s parts, even if they are custom or added parts. Once you’ve obtained your personal property, find out how much is owed to the towing company and report that to your attorney so they can document your losses from the accident.
What If the Tow Lot Refuses to Let You In?
Some tow yards may tell you that you cannot access until you pay all towing and storage bills. If a lot refuses to give you access, you can ask to speak with the lot manager to learn what you need to do to retrieve your personal items and request an explanation of the facility’s policy.
If the facility still refuses to let you retrieve essential items such as baby seats, house keys, or medication, you can call the police non-emergency line for assistance.
You can also reach out to car accident lawyers in Jersey City for help. An attorney can call the tow company directly to address the issue on your behalf.
Contact a Jersey City Car Accident Attorney Today
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is difficult enough without wondering if you can get your belongings from your towed car in Jersey City, but you do not have to handle it alone.
At Glugeth & Pierguidi, our attorneys are responsive and ready to guide you through the legal issues that follow a crash. We take the stress off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Contact Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C. today to set up your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Tow Company Keep My Personal Belongings for Unpaid Fees?
No, a tow lot cannot keep your loose personal items. Towing and storage yards can hold your car for payment, but they must return any loose belongings, such as phones and medication.
Do I Have to Pay Money to Get My Items Back?
You do not have to pay the car’s storage bill to retrieve your belongings. You have the right to get your personal items during normal business hours.
What Documents Do I Need at the Tow Yard?
Call the tow facility before you go to confirm what identification and proof of ownership it requires. You typically need to bring a government-issued photo ID, your vehicle registration, and proof of car insurance.
How Soon Should I Get My Things from the Car?
Get your items as quickly as possible. Tow lot fees grow daily, and unclaimed vehicles can eventually be sold at auction under state law.
David Pierguidi and Jared Glugeth understand how hard it may be for you and your family following an accident resulting from someone’s negligent actions. Get the medical treatment you need right away and then call our law firm at any time of day for answers to your questions.