Latest news with #BrianneThomas
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas City woman wins $7.1M in landmark illegal towing case — what you should know about predatory towing
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. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it 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. Read more: You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to . In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how 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. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Metro woman wins $7.1M in landmark case against local tow company
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — $7.1 million; that's the staggering amount just awarded to a metro woman who sued a local tow company, a ruling that sends a powerful message against predatory towing practices in Kansas City, Missouri. For years, FOX4 has covered the ongoing issues with predatory towing in the area. Tonight, that woman's lawyer is clear: The verdict is a warning to tow companies everywhere. If that number doesn't get your attention, consider the fact that the tow company is still operating, but essentially hiding from the public, trying to change its name. 12-year-old killed in minibike crash in Raytown, highway patrol says That won't work, though, because this woman's attorney tells FOX4 they're going after every dime of that $7.1 million, and they won't stop until they get it. Brianne Thomas recently wrapped up what she calls a righteous fight against Haney's Trucking and Tow. The case dates back to 2022, when a woman parked her food truck, 'Crazy Tacos,' in a lot that used to be abandoned. There were no signs forbidding parking, but when she returned, her food truck, which was her livelihood, was gone. 'They towed the truck after 30 minutes; they towed illegally,' Brianne Thomas, Attorney at Boyd Kenter Thomas & Parish LLC, said. Her car was the only one parked in the lot that was towed, and for a tow to be legal in Missouri, the property owner must be there. However, they were not. If she wanted her truck back, the towing company demanded thousands of dollars. Over the next two years, the company kept her truck and even started transferring ownership out of her name and into theirs. 'They were successful, they had her truck for 699 days,' Thomas said. Refusing to accept this, she filed a complaint with the Attorney General's office and hired lawyers to prepare for a fight. Now, that fight has been won. A jury awarded $6.9 million in punitive damages, plus another $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, Attorney Danaher Law Firm, said. Today, if you visit the tow company's offices listed online, no one is there. The building is up for sale, and attempts to reach them have been met with hang-ups. A neighbor near a second listed location confirmed the operation has shut down in the past month. Long-awaited KCI guest pass program available for Fourth of July travel The attorney who represented the company refused to comment on the case. 'The jury said not anymore, not in this community. We are going to send a message to these illegal tow truck operators in Kansas City and across this state that we are not going to accept this any longer,' Thomas said. The bottom line, according to Brianne Thomas, is that you must know your rights when it comes to getting towed. Don't just assume you have to pay whatever amount the tow company demands. Did the woman get her food truck back? She did, but it was badly damaged. All of her equipment inside was gone, and the truck could barely move, going only five to ten miles per hour. Her victory, however, came in the form of a $7.1 million judgment, a clear message to predatory tow companies everywhere. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
