Towing Issues: car impounded in Seattle WA, tow truck operator, vehicle license plates

Question
My car was impounded, after receiving a ticket to move it, for violating our 72 hour parking rule. What if I don't want the car back? It barely ran, I still owe a bit of $$ to Ford Credit but it's worth nothing and they haven't bothered to repossess in 5+ years. From what I understand, they auction cars after 21 days, but I'm concerned if I'm liable for any monies? I am going to pay the ticket I got prior to the impound though. Thanks in advance.

Answer
Well as much as you want me to say that you do not need to worry, I hate to say it but you are responsible for the towing and storage fees on the vehicle.

In Washington state, the tow company will sell your vehicle at auction and if the towing and storage fees are say $500.00 and your vehicle sells for $100.00 then you are responsible for the other $400.00.

AND IN WASHINGTON STATE, the tow company can submit a form to the DOL (department of licenses) and have your drivers license or other vehicle license plates SUSPENDED, for NON PAYMENT OF TOWING FEES ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT ORDERED TOW...


Best advise is to work with the tow company and see what you can arrange to make this as easy as possible.

Something about this issue though tells me that you really do not care about the vehicle or other issues since Ford has not bothered to repossess it in over 5 years as you say.  But the difference between owing FORD and the TOW COMPANY is your drivers license or tags...

That will result in court fees and such to get resolved.

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RCW 46.55.140
Operator's lien, deficiency claim, liability.  

(1) A registered tow truck operator who has a valid and signed impoundment authorization has a lien upon the impounded vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle, unless the impoundment is determined to have been invalid. The lien does not apply to personal property in or upon the vehicle that is not permanently attached to or is not an integral part of the vehicle except for items of personal property registered or titled with the department. The registered tow truck operator also has a deficiency claim against the registered owner of the vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle not to exceed the sum of five hundred dollars after deduction of the amount bid at auction, and for vehicles of over ten thousand pounds gross vehicle weight, the operator has a deficiency claim of one thousand dollars after deduction of the amount bid at auction, unless the impound is determined to be invalid. The limitation on towing and storage deficiency claims does not apply to an impound directed by a law enforcement officer. In no case may the cost of the auction or a buyer's fee be added to the amount charged for the vehicle at the auction, the vehicle's lien, or the overage due. A registered owner who has completed and filed with the department the seller's report as provided for by RCW 46.12.101 and has timely and properly filed the seller's report is relieved of liability under this section. The person named as the new owner of the vehicle on the timely and properly filed seller's report shall assume liability under this section.

    (2) Any person who tows, removes, or otherwise disturbs any vehicle parked, stalled, or otherwise left on privately owned or controlled property, and any person owning or controlling the private property, or either of them, are liable to the owner or operator of a vehicle, or each of them, for consequential and incidental damages arising from any interference with the ownership or use of the vehicle which does not comply with the requirements of this chapter.