Drivers already plagued by $350 towing fees could be forced to fork out more cash thanks to new rule
Drivers who have been slammed with $350 in towing fines may be subject to more fees in the future, as a new law is expected to irritate many.
A city’s officials convened to consider a number of new rules, including raising towing rates.
Additionally, parking in Norfolk, Virginia, may cost more going forward.
Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, the typical towing cost in the 230,000-person city right now is between $155 and $350.
Drivers must pay a $30 daily storage cost for each 24 hours that their vehicles are impounded, on top of the initial towing charge.
The Norfolk City Council decided to raise the flat towing cost depending on a vehicle’s weight by a vote of 7-1 at its meeting on Tuesday night.
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The towing charge for light automobiles would increase from $155 to $200, a $45 increase.
A medium-sized vehicle’s towing cost will treble, from $175 to $350.
Additionally, the towing cost for large cars is expected to rise significantly, from $350 to $575.
Officials have justified the action.
According to NBC affiliate WAVY, Norfolk city manager Patrick Roberts stated, “We find ourselves in a position where, in a car accident or abandoned vehicles in the street or any number of other scenarios, we are relying on private vendors who incredibly, don’t want to work in the city because they can make more money in the surrounding city.”
Both private and public property, including city streets, will be subject to the new regulations.
Woman’s car towed ‘as soon as she walked into Walmart’ over handicapped card – then she’s told she has to pay $300 cash
According to the Towing Advisory Board’s recommendations, the two prices should only be altered for light cars; nevertheless, they would vary according to the time of day and the day of the week.
A fixed fee for all cars, regardless of size, was suggested by the staff.
“We have observed in the last, probably two or three years, that all of the surrounding jurisdictions have incrementally raised the allowance for those fees, and we have not,” Roberts stated.
Standard-sized car and truck prices have been raised to match those of neighboring Virginia Beach, which decided last year to raise its own towing costs above those of its neighbors.
What to do if your car is towed
Whether done correctly or not, getting a towed car back can be difficult.
There are a few procedures to follow if your car is towed after you parked in a “No Parking” area or for any other justifiable reason.
What to do if your automobile is being towed:
- Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
- Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail.
- Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative.
- Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.
You can challenge the action by taking the following actions if you believe your car was wrongfully towed:
- Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle.
- Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
- Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state.
- Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly.
- Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases.
- Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer.
Source: National General, Oregon Department of Justice, and Rak Law Firm
It follows a disabled Norfolk customer who accused the store’s operator of preying on elderly customers when her car was towed while she was there.
Joanne Ramseur parked in a handicapped spot at the superstore and had to pay $300 in cash.
The driver, who is disabled, went to park in the handicapped spot but saw the car next to it had pulled over the dividing line.
Ramseur parked slightly into the fire lane to make room since she reasoned that doing the same wouldn’t be a major problem.
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Little did she know, a tow truck operator was watching the situation and swooped in as soon as she left.
“They’re preying on senior citizens and disabled people,” she complained.
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