Vehicle Impoundment Fee Dispute

Summary

In Rhode Island, abandoned vehicles can incur significant fees, including towing, storage, and administrative costs. If not retrieved within 7 days, fines up to $500 per day may apply. Contesting these charges in court or negotiating with the involved party is possible. Legal advice from an attorney is recommended.

Full Conversation

my car got impounded and i am being charged with abonding a vehicle, it has already b been there for over * weeks so they are saying i owe a lot of money
Hello Kyle,
In Rhode Island, abandoned motor vehicles are typically held for 45 days before being auctioned. The fees can indeed be significant:
- Towing fee
- Storage fee per day
- Administrative fees
To avoid extra charges, you should retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible.
they letter they sent was created on match 22nd, but i can see they have not actually sent out the letter till the 25th, it is not april the 15th
Hello Kyle, in Rhode Island, the notice period for impounded vehicles starts from the date the notice was sent, not the date it was created. If they mailed it on the 25th, your notice period likely started then. Do you have proof of the postage date?
yes, on the postage date it says the us postage was paid on march 25th
Hello Kyle, based on what you've said, your notice period likely started on March 25th. In Rhode Island, you typically have 45 days from the notice date to retrieve your vehicle before it is auctioned. Please consider acting promptly to avoid additional charges.
so how much can they charge me? here is the whole letter This letter is to inform you that your vehicle is currently stored at our location. You are hereby required by law to contact this office within seven (*) days relative to an outstanding storage bill. Also, your vehicle must be removed within this seven-day period. Failure to remove or make arrangements with us for the vehicle's removal will result in the vehicle being junked or sold. In addition, a report will be made with the West Warwick Police Department with a request that a municipal court. summons be issued under West Warwick town Ordinance Chapter *, Article *, Section *-* for the abandonment of your vehicle. If you are found guilty after a hearing in municipal court, resulting in a fine up to $* per day for every day your vehicle is left abandoned on our property. You are also in violation of Section *-*-* of Rhode Island general laws, and could be subject to the penalties stated within. *-*-* - Abandoned Vehicles - The owner of any motor vehicle, who abandons the same, on any public or private property other than his own, without permission of the owner or lessee of said property, upon complaint by the owner or lessee to the registrar of motor vehicles shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred by the owner or lessee or the state in the removal of said vehicle from said public or private property. Failure to pay said expenses within 30 days of written notice of the same, shall by a fine, upon conviction, not in excess of one hundred dollars ($*). And the registry shall suspend the license and registration of the last registered owner of such abandoned vehicle until such expenses are paid, and no appeal from such conviction shall operate to stay said suspension. Please contact our office immediately to clarify this matter and avoid legal action.
Based on the letter:
- You can be charged for towing, storage, and administrative fees.
- If your vehicle is not removed within 7 days, a fine up to $* per day could apply.
- If found guilty, you could face a fine up to $*, with the possibility of license suspension until all expenses are paid.
Please contact the office mentioned to get a clear breakdown of the costs.
they can just charge me * dollars per day? there is no way i can fight this
Yes, the letter states that a fine up to $* per day can be imposed. You may contest this in court or negotiate with the party involved. Legal advice from an attorney could be beneficial in this situation.