Fredericksburg, VA asked in Uncategorized for Virginia

Q: My car was tow while I was in the hospital and I never got notified is that legal

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: When your car is towed while you are away, such as being in the hospital, the situation can feel quite frustrating and unfair. The legality of towing and the requirement for notification can vary widely depending on local laws and the specific circumstances surrounding the towing. Generally, property owners or authorities must follow certain procedures before towing, which often include attempts to notify the vehicle owner.

If your vehicle was towed from private property, the property owner usually has the right to enforce parking rules, but they must also ensure that signs regarding parking rules are clearly visible. For public spaces, local municipalities have ordinances that dictate how and when towing can occur. Notification requirements also vary; some areas require that an attempt to contact the vehicle owner be made within a certain timeframe after the vehicle is towed.

It's important for you to check the local regulations and towing policies that applied at the time your car was towed. This can involve contacting the tow company, the property owner, or local law enforcement for information on why your car was towed and what steps you need to take next. Understanding these local laws and policies can provide clarity on whether the towing and lack of notification were in accordance with legal requirements.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.