West Valley City, UT asked in Collections, Landlord - Tenant, Gov & Administrative Law and Real Estate Law for Utah

Q: Is it legal for a repossession company to tow with someone inside the vehicle in Utah?

In Ogden, Utah, a repossession company towed my vehicle for a couple of feet while I was still inside it, and police officers were present but did not intervene. They mentioned that they couldn't do anything after the fact and attempted to get me out of the car, but I refused. Is it legal for them to tow the vehicle with me inside under these circumstances?

1 Lawyer Answer

A: A couple of feet? The reason that people cannot ride in a towed vehicle, trailer, etc., is because of the possible catastrophic consequences of an accident involving the towed item. You were in no danger whatsoever, and indeed it was your fault for interfering with the repossession agent in the first place. While it may be against the literal letter of the law for you to be towed a couple of feet, no district attorney who has been on the job for more than 5 minutes is going to take a complaint against the tow company with any seriousness.

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