Towing Issues: Impound Fees/pink slip, dmv ca, gov pubs

Question
My old 85 sw was towed from a public street in May '09 because the pd had put a three day notice on it.  I was not aware of it and it was towed.  I recd a notice that my car would be sold and I could be responsible for fees that when my car sold may not pay for them.  I spoke with someone today from the towing yard that said if I had given them my pink slip right away, I wouldn't have had to pay these fees.  Well, no one told me that. and I'm pretty sure I gave them the pink slip..but not sure.  Now I'm being socked with $2,000 fee (car sold for $250). They want to make a deal with me to pay $1,000 total all at once and they will go away and no collections.  This is ridiculous!  Is there any way around this????  I live in Southern California.

Answer
I don't agree with it either, but California is one of the states that allow towing companies to collect on fees. When you say you thought you gave them the pink slip did you not do a bill of sale or have them sign for it? California statutes are easily accessible on line. There are several issues that you need to look up including notification of sale, fees for vehicles based on their value, maximum fees they can charge and deficiencies after sale. The web site is very easy to use but includes far too much information for me to forward to you. The URL is below.
There are countless forms and procedures that must be followed, even down to the value of the vehicle. Please let me know if you need any additional help.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm