7 On Your Side Helps Ocean County Veteran Recover Towed Car After Two-Month Ordeal

Veteran's Car Shipping Nightmare

• 🇺🇸 A retired FDNY battalion chief and US Marine veteran hired a broker to ship his car from Florida to New Jersey, expecting a two-day trip.
• 🚗 More than two months later, his vehicle was still undelivered after the trailer carrying it was involved in a wreck and towed.
• 💰 The veteran faced escalating costs, with the bill reaching $13,000, as his car remained impounded.

Seven On Your Side Intervention

• 🔍 After the family contacted Seven on Your Side, Nina Pineda began investigating the complex situation involving multiple parties.
• 🤝 The tow company stated they could not release the car without the trailer owner's involvement, leading to a stalemate.
• ✅ Following intervention, the tow company's bill was satisfied, and the veteran's Lincoln was finally returned undamaged.

Company Vetting and Regulations

• ⚠️ Investigations revealed the trailer company owner had an extensive criminal record, including car theft, and had been dropped by his insurance.
• 📊 The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website is highlighted as a resource to check a company's operating authority and standing.
• 📈 It's crucial to vet companies by checking their compliance, safety, and accountability records before hiring them for vehicle transport.

Tips for Shipping a Car

• 🗺️ Location is key: longer journeys cost more, but heavily traveled routes to big cities can be less expensive due to competition.
• 📏 Vehicle size and specifics matter; oversized or special cars may need flatbed or enclosed transport for protection.
• ⏳ Duration and season impact cost and time; rural deliveries take longer, and peak seasons (like holidays and snowbird migration) are more expensive.
• 🚆 Amtrak's Auto Train is suggested as an alternative, where cars are shipped partway and passengers ride with them, potentially saving money and time.
• 💡 Regardless of the method, thorough research into the company's reputation and standing is essential.