Towing Issues: towing fees/ damage responsibility, storage fee, rear wheels

Question
Hi, I'm a college student in La Crosse, WI and I recently had my car towed for parking in an appartment complex I didn't have a permit for.  Yes, this was dumb and I shouldn't have done it.  I was wondering, though, if there are any limits as to what a towing company can charge (I was charged ~300$ for towing and storage which I think is outrageous for moving it just a few blocks away).  Also, do towing companies have to attempt to contact you once the vehicle is towed (so they cant just sit and let the storage fee build up for a poor college student who only uses his car once every few days).  Finally, I have an AWD subaru which I believe cannot be towed without a flatbed without damaging the transmission.  Would the towing company be responsible for any damages?  I don't have any experience with this kind of thing and I would appreciate any advice, as it seems like college kids get picked for easy money all over this town.

Answer
Chris,

The county, city, or state generally sets the amount a tower can charge.
The obvious lesson is to park only where you know you can.

The car can be towed damage free without a flatbed as long as dollies were placed under the rear wheels. If you are having problems with the drive train then maybe they didn't use dollies and then you would have to take them to small claims if they refuse to reimburse you for damages. I would suspect that any tow company would train their drivers not to damage the cars they tow.

Donald