I had my used pick up parked in a parking lot near a busy street with a For Sale sign on it with my phone number. There were several other vehicles for sale parked there as well. There was no "towing" sign that I saw when I parked it there. It sat in the lot for over 3 weeks. I checked it every week. Then one day it was gone, and there were new "towing" signs put up in the lot. I called the company and in the morning the next day and was told the charges for towing, "gate fee" and storage for the 3 days they had it amounted to over $350.00!! I was flat broke (that's why I was selling it) and the truck is only worth, maybe, $1,000.00. A month later, I just got a phone call from the towing company saying that they are sending my account to collections for their fees, unless I sign over the title to the truck to them. Is this something I could contest in small claims court?
2007-10-02 12:58:02 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Sorry, but it sounds like you lose this one.
In court, the old "Everyone else was doing it," will not stand up.
2007-10-02 14:19:23 · answer #1 · answered by California Street Cop 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You did not have the right to park the vehicle there for 3 weeks. Would you have a problem if I just parked my car in your front yard with a sign on it for 3 weeks and never asked your permission? My guess is...you'd probably have my car towed out of their.
Each day that your car sat at the tow yard - it incurred a storage charge. In my area, storage charges are 20-25 per day. Plus, you owe for the tow fee. If they incurred any administrative fees - you are going to be charged that. So after the car had been their 3 days- the charges were 350.00
But - as the car continued to sit - the charges continued to accrue. - at 20 per day for 30 days that's 600 + the tow fee and any administrative charges. If the car is still there - the charges are still going up.
At this point, the storage charges probably equal or exceed the value of the car. That's why the tow yard says they will accept the vehicle in satisfaction of the charges.
Or
You go to the tow yard and pay them the storage fees (to date) and the tow/administrative fees. If you tell them your sob story, they may be willing to take pity on you and cut you some slack - but they are not required to do that - you can not make them do that - it is only a you can ask and they may help you out or they may not.
2007-10-02 13:20:49 · answer #2 · answered by Boots 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't own the property where the truck was parked then no, you won't win anything and will just windup with a judgement against you. The best thing is to find out how much is owed on the truck and if it is worth getting back. If not, sign over the title, but make sure they give you a release so you don't lose the truck and owe them money later.
2007-10-02 13:09:03 · answer #3 · answered by hensleyclaw 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is always risky business to leave a car/truck anywhere on the street. It is your responsibility to check on the truch everyday and see if it is legally parked. If the truck is legally towed, then you have no case. You either pay the $350 tow fee, or you can have the truck confiscated and sold at what they can get, to pay for the towing fee. Any overage goes to you.
2007-10-03 00:51:59 · answer #4 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have no leg to stand on. you were illegally parked. you knew what would happen but still parked there and got your truck towed.they can charge you a towing and storage fee. you can sure for anything.be careful because you can be made to repay any monies speny on the lawsuit.
----retired texas deputy sheriff----
2007-10-02 22:45:10 · answer #5 · answered by charlsyeh 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt you have any valid reason to sue. I never understood how people feel they can just park their vehicles for weeks at a time on private property. How about I park in your driveway for a few weeks? Its the same thing.
2007-10-02 13:11:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋