[IN] Can you sue over an excessive tow bill?

I understand that finding the right attorney is important to you. What specific legal issue are you seeking assistance with?

Have you already consulted with any attorneys regarding this matter, or is this your first time seeking legal help?

Is there anything else the Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they’ll be able to help with towing semi truck.

Hello, and thank you for reaching out! I’m Jon, a licensed attorney with over 14 years of experience, here to help. I understand legal matters can feel overwhelming, but you’re in good hands. My goal is to explain things clearly and guide you toward the best possible solution for your situation. Just a quick note: our conversation is for general legal information only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Which state is this occurring in?

Can you tell me more about the towing incident? Was your semi towed, and by who?

Do you know who towed the truck?

Understood! I believe I have all the information I need. Is there anything else you’d like to add before I start working on your answer? If not, I’ll get started right away.

Got it! I just need a few minutes to put together a complete response for you. It shouldn’t take longer than about 4–5 minutes, and I want to make sure it’s clear and comprehensive. Thanks so much for waiting, I really appreciate your patience.

Getting stuck with a $1,900 tow bill for a commercial truck is overwhelming, especially if there were no clear signs warning that trucks could not park there. Heavy-duty commercial tows are more expensive than normal vehicle tows because they require specialized equipment and labor, but Indiana law still requires the charges to be reasonable and properly explained. Under (IN Code § 9-22-1-8), the towing company must provide an itemized invoice showing every charge, including towing, labor, mileage, and storage fees. They cannot simply hand you a flat bill without a breakdown. Indiana’s towing services law reinforces this: under (IN Code § 24-14-7-2), the towing company or storage facility must release the vehicle once the owner pays all costs and allowable fees, must give you a chance to inspect the vehicle during business hours, and must provide an itemized receipt with the details required by (IN Code § 24-14-5-1).

The law also prohibits charging you just to inspect the truck or retrieve personal belongings from it. Indiana law also includes a protection often called the “75% release rule.” Under (IN Code § 9-22-1-8), if you need the truck released quickly, the tow company must release it within 24 hours if you pay 75% of the bill, provide proof of a bond for the remaining balance, and show proof that you filed a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General. One of the best first steps is filing a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

This creates an official record and may trigger an investigation into whether the towing charges were excessive or predatory. You can file online here: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/consumer-protection-division/consumer-complaint/. You can also file a case in Indiana Small Claims Court since the amount is well below the $10,000 limit. If the tow happened in [redacted: town name], the case would most likely be filed in Newton County. The court clerk can provide the Notice of Claim forms and summons paperwork needed to officially notify the towing company and any property owner involved. To strengthen your case, gather as much evidence as possible. Take photos of the parking area showing the lack of “Tow Away” or “No Truck Parking” signs. Request the full itemized invoice and look for inflated fees or unreasonable storage charges. If other commercial trucks regularly park there, document that too, since it may help show the restrictions were unclear or inconsistently enforced. In most situations, the strongest claims are usually against the property owner, business, or management company that authorized the tow, along with the towing company if the fees violated Indiana towing laws or were unreasonable under (IN Code § 9-22-1-8).

You can sue both the strip mall owner for authorizing an illegal tow without posted signs and the towing company for charging an excessive fee. Your strongest strategy in small claims court is to name both as defendants and present the previous lawsuit as evidence that the tow company acted in bad faith and targeted you for retaliation. Pay the bill if necessary to stop storage fees and get your truck back on the road, then file your claim locally to demand a full refund and lost wages. Does that help clear things up for you? If you have any other questions or need more help, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Ok.

You should file your lawsuit in Jasper County Small Claims Court because that is where the strip mall owner in [redacted: town name] operates. You still have a strong case because Indiana law requires towing signs to be highly visible and conspicuous, meaning a single hidden sign on the opposite side of the lot does not authorize them to trap and target your truck. To use the 75% release rule, go to the Indiana Attorney General’s website, click “File a Complaint” under the Consumer Protection section, and present that submitted complaint to the tow yard along with your partial payment.

And I do hope the information I provided was helpful and addressed your question. If there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out, I’m always happy to assist.