Towing Issues: car was towed from side of road with flat tire arter only 4 hrs., lake county florida, lake county sheriffs office

Question
I live in Lake County Florida. At approximately 7:30 on May 28, 2007 my tire (doughnut) went flat when I was driving down the highway, I am 6 months pregnant and I had my 4 year old husky/ chow mix dog with me, I had a tire on my car previously but it popped then about a week later my doughnut popped, thats what I'm talking about now. So I had no spare to put on my car because that is what popped. So I had not choice but, to leave my car there. Then I get a phone call the next morning from the Lake county Sheriffs office saying they impounded my car! They said they impounded my car at 11:30 that night, so that means my car was only there for 4 hours, even if I had the money to go get a tire that night I couldn't have because all the places were closed. Now the towing company wants to charge me $305 dollars and $25 each additional day it's there. Like I said I'm 6 months pregnant and I don't have a job at the moment so now the only way I'll get my car back is if I take this to court. Do I have a case, are they aloud to do that, is there anything I can do? PLEASE HELP!

Answer
Well vehicles left on the side of the roadways do create traffic hazards and as such depending on how close it was to the roadway (white lines) that would be a factor in how fast it was towed...
It becomes a traffic hazard or safety hazard when vehicles are parked along side the roadways... People do tend to drive where they look and if they are looking at your car then they might drift off and hit it... Add in the drunks who travel the roadways and you have another issue..

Then there is the vandalism issues and you can see why they tow vehicles.


Now as to the costs, well that is something that is usually spelled out in contracts with the tow companies and law enforcement agencies...
In Florida I do believe that the FHP rates are used to base tow rates in each county, but I might be wrong there...

As to getting the vehicle back, well the chances of going to court any time soon and winning are not the greatest when it was towed from roadways.. Sorry to say that but its the truth...

I understand your problem and financial issues, but maybe if you talk the tow company something might be able to be worked out.
I am sure you have tried that and you do not have any family members  you can borrow the money from, but I really lack the answers here...

Sorry about the lack of real answers.