Legal Question in Traffic Law in Minnesota

Impounded vehicle/towing

My son was involved in a car accident than involved the towing and impounding of his car. The towing company call me up 15 days later asking me when the insurance agent was coming out to get the car. I told him just to scrape it out and send me the bill for towing. (He also does salvage work) He also wants storage fees, however, according to statue 168b.06 I should have been given a written notice stating the place of the taking,the year,make,model and serial # etc within 14 days. He never did so. According to law he said he can charge me for 45 days storeage plus towing. The car is in my name. What am I liable for? Thanks


Asked on 3/27/03, 1:10 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Alme Alme & Strootman, L.L.P.

Re: Impounded vehicle/towing

Have you made Minnesota Statue 168b.06 known to the tow company? Is the car worth anything, now that it's been in the accident? Are there criminal charges pending? Those items would be helpful in assessing your situation.

Tow companies, as you probably are already aware, have quite a racket going in many ways. "Tow fees" I have seen as high as $250 to move a vehicle a couple miles away. Then, of course, they have no motivation to be prompt about notifying registered owners about the status of the vehicle, given their right to collect "storage fees" on a daily basis.

I'd be interested in hearing the rest, and I'll be happy to discuss it with you.

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Answered on 3/27/03, 6:09 pm


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