rreschran

Now THAT was fun. I couldn't help noticing that the license plate had the letters "CA" in it. Was that another displaced Californian? R.

What a horrible event ... I have no words. Christine and I send out prayers to the tow operators family as well as the others injured in this crash. R.

Just for fun ... consider the following incident. Below is a new link of an incident where a van hits a tree in-front of a Michigan residence and literally is cut in two pieces. You arrive in a carrier and are skilled enough to load both pieces. Both pieces need to be strategically positioned on the carrier and tied down. Obvioulsy, the process is lengthy. Keeping in-mind that technically there's only one vehicle, one license plate and one VIN, how would you price this work to include cleanup and total time on scene? R. Link: https://www.buzzfeedzz.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/crash-scene-lafayette-ave-gr/ZZ17xHnv

Ron, these are good examples that demonstrate the need for active traffic breaks. That's especially true for the bigger cities where there are lots of assets. If a single incnident of a fatal tow operator or police officer strike ultimately attracts five or more highway patrol units (after-the-fact), it makes sense that additional units could assist to work a traffic break. I know ... that's not reality, but more so wishful thinking. R.

The topic of PTSD has recently raised its ugly head. From my research, nine-states (9) have passed legislation addressing benefits for first responders with PTSD in 2019. Those states are: California, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, and Texas). For a project I'm working on, can tow owners provide any state or local verbiage that identifies tow truck operators as first responders in your areas? I'm not interested to hear from the tow police, if you (in your state) are recognized as a, "first responder", would you please provide here the state and section where you are located? I'm not looking for personal opinions, but written fact or evidence that tow trucks and or tow truck operators in your state are designated as, "first responders." Thanks for your input. R.

Failing to recognize towers with PTSD is another downfall of the industry not being professionalized like PD, fire, paramedics, etc. Not all states recognize tow truck operators are first responders (a huge, argumentative topic or tow forums). Accordingly, this is where tow company owners FAIL to understand the importance of seeking options to possible PTSD issues involving their employees. Employers don’t want to initiate a Worker’s Comp claim because it's potentially costly. Not doing so fails to provide help to employees when they just might have a bonifide claim of depression, sadness, or other qualifying symptoms. PTSD isn’t something that’s easily faked and it has to be proved through extensive diagnosis. But, for any claim that’s initiated, you can be sure that Worker’s Comp will scrutinize the claim very closely. I don't think it f air to simply brush away an employee who comes looking for help. I know of a tow company employee who drove off a cliff (in a tow truck) after his thoughts of suicide brought him to that choice. I believe owners should be aware and not avoid the topic. If you care about your employees, there is self-training owners should be aware. The link below is a map of those states that consider PTSD-like injuries and basic, information. R. https://www.gerberholderlaw.com/workers-comp-ptsd-by-state/

Hi BJ from Australia. It's ALWAYS exciting to have "International Members" on the site ... Great to have you here. From my investigative eye, I’d guess that the car on the pavement, the Saturn Ion, lost control when approaching the earlier accident where, Antonio Martinez, was called by Baltimore’s Highway Patrol to transport. From position of the Saturn and what I surmise, the Saturn’s driver couldn’t stop for backed up traffic OR was distracted by whatever before looking up to see they couldn’t stop in-time. The Saturn’s driver swerved to the center-divider and plowed into the rear of the carrier and the loaded SUV. This is a common occurrence where approaching vehicle’s plow into tow trucks and continue forward to strike tow operators, or into tow operators first and then tow trucks. In this crash, the suspect vehicle didn’t strike as such an angle to send it up-and-over a tilted carrier’s deck. My comments are only a guestimation as to what likely happened and comparable to many other accidents just like this one. R.

On a side note ... Thank You Doreen for your continued kind words and prayers in regards to tow operators struck. The industry is lucky to have you as a supporter. I personally would like to recognize your efforts and participation on TowForce. Your words are appreciated and don't go unnoticed. R.

Mother Nature is a funny, quirky, force within the universe. If Mother is listening, would you please send some of that rain over to southern California to help stop these viscious wildfires? Not that Covid is enough, I feel for anyone having to endure the wrath of these storms and man-made extremes. Christine and I pray that those affected are hunkered down to withstand those conditions. While we're used to dealing with wildfires and earthquakes, I can only imagine how scary tornados and hurricanes are as they roll through. R.

Doing PPI's is providing a service that's conducted legally. A few years back, southern California's PPI towing was so "out of control" because PPI companies were conducting illegal tactics where some cities initiated "Predatory Task Forces" to convict towers of illegal actions. When holding someone's vehicle and demanding pay, the issue questioned whether or not the acts of illegal PPI's for money was that of "extortion"? Ultimately, California's PPI laws were revised to protect vehicle owners from illegal PPI practices. One change was; a vehicle had to be parked (there) more than one-hour AND, if the vehicle wasn't off-property. it had to be released at the request of its owner. While I agree with Ron's comment that PPI's can be a source of income for professionally run companies, a company doesn't have to be professionally operated to comply within the letter of state law. At some point, if illegal or over-aggressive tactics like pepper-spraying a person trying to get their car released according to law, towers may be headed to jail as the result of a battery unpon that person. To make that situation worse, the tow truck would be seized as evidence for that crime. Based on those possibilities, releasing the vehicle and finding another makes better sense. Note: There always will be another vehicle. R.

As a long-time evidence provider and at the request of the highway patrol, I've loaded three separate victims still in their vehicles so to take them from a fatal scene and get them away from news media vultures. Once the facts of investigation are gathered and when directed by the coroner, it's under their orders and not against California law. It's not a plesant task, but one readily accepted to protect the dignity of the deceased and their families. R..

Thanks for the sentiments guys. The Mexico house was torched because another resident wanted revenge for being kicked out of camp next door. Four houses were destroyed. Ron, much of Southern California is partial desert unlike treed areas up north. Here, winter rain causes scrub and weeds to grow, then summer bakes them into dry, crisp kindle that grows close to the ground. Every year it rains, grows, vegetation dies and it continues that way year after year. There are millions of SoCal acres where there's no cutting or clearing. Once a spark, bolt of lightening, car muffler, or arsonist apply ignition, extreme heat and high wind push fire out of control. Unfortunately, us humans are in its path. From where I sit ... the Apple Fire still burns out of control. It's a bit tense but for now we're not threatened. R

Three weeks ago, my vacation house in Mexico was destroyed by arson. Now, this is the third day of Southern California's, "Apple Fire", situated 15-miles to the north of our home. It's alleged that this too was an arson fire that's grown to 15,000 acres and zero containment .... big enough to make the national news. I watched it through the night and we're keeping a careful eye on any changes. At the moment, we're OK. Yesterday's heat was 106 and the winds will kick-up again by mid-day reportedly pushing smoke all the way to Arizona. We have our fire evacuation plan ready-to-roll if it ever comes to that. In that I'll ask, what's your own emergency evacuation plan? No matter where you live, we all have some kind of nemesis we have to deal with when Mother Nature comes to call or a psycho with a penchant for violence is on-the-loose. In the mean-time, say your prayers for those tow companies in Banning, Beaumont, Cherry Valley and inside Riverside County. R. https://abc7.com/apple-fire-riverside-county-cherry-valley-brush/6348543/

How does joining a car club help market your business? As a car guy, I love working around and transporting high-end Porsche cars and vintage exotics. In seeking new clients, I joined several antique car clubs and the Porsche Owner's Club as a way to promote my towing business. I offered transport services for these niches and put together a thick binder of photos showcasing the cars I transported. On several occassions, I set-up at the town's weekend fair with my vintage 914-6 on the deck. I attended car club meetings usually in my carrier and handed-out business cards with 20-percent off coupons for club members. It's a great, easy way to help promote your specialty niche and have a little fun along the way. And, many of the relationships I built (as club member) worked its way into transporting their cars, projects and repeat business serving the specialty shops I met transporting customer's cars. Working in the exotics car niche can be high-paying if you're critical to damage free transport and treat every vehicle like your own. The downside is the high cost of insurance where one damage can set you back for a long time. Don't be afraid of them as the load off-load process is no different than transporting a 65' VW. The key ... lots of ramping, soft-straps, ratchets, padding, a clean blanket for the driver's seat, AND, a fresh, clean pair of white tuxedo gloves to add a little zest-factor especially when the vehicle's owner is present. Most importantly ... have fun in club membership and cultivating new customers. R.

I remember my, "Cars from Hell", being a Lamborghini Countach and a vintage, lowered, De Tomaso Mangusta. Not that they weren't that difficult to load, them both being lowered from stock made blocking, padding and ramping extra challenging. No real issues on either end and two really happy customers. God ... I love my work. R.