Any recourse?

foghater · Since 31 Aug 2008 135 Posts Stoked

Had a f'd up situation saturday night pulling a travel trailer over hwy 26.

Got caught in a freak snow storm at 2am and couldnt make it. Decided to leave the trailer on side of the road and return in the moring with 4X4. Called the state poli they said I was ok for 24 hrs. Left a note saying not to tow ill come back in a few hours. ODOT towed it. Cost me 350 big ones! I was pissed.

Any lawyers out there? Seems like I have a case.

Bad end to a great trip!

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Mar 30, 09 10:58 am

the state police should have a recording of the phone call. I would start there although you have an uphill battle. They will probably claim the trailer was blocking traffic or snow plows and was removed for public safety.
That sucks. If a private tow company just towed it without instruction from the state police to do so (many of these companies have such contracts--if you see it, tow it). Then small claims court would be the way to go. I think its like $30 to file a claim--but, it would have to take place in the county that it was towed...

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

I hate to say it but you are probably s.o.l.

Firstly, police departments do not record phone calls routinely except for 911 emergency calls. They record incoming numbers but so does everybody.

Secondly, never rely on a policeman to give you advice about how to circumvent a towing. My brother was in a similar situation and the officer he contacted gave totally bogus information. As a general rule of thumb, if you think you might get cited or towed chances are you probably will.

I am a little surprised that they towed you so quickly but as the previous poster mentioned you were probably blocking a snowplow. On a clear day they probably would have left you alone for the full 24.

Forget small claims court. I do not think you can sue a government agency through small claims. Your most likely course for relief would be to try to go to court to ask a judge to reduce the fine since you were within the 24.

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

Maybe you should just try to relieve some stress by cruising around on your trusty Naish mutant.
oh wait...

Seriously sucks though,
Getting punished for trying to be safe.
Where did it happen?

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

I experienced a similar situation when my out-of-gas vehicle (bad gas gauge) was towed whilst I was getting gas for it.

I wasn't fined, but the bill for the towing from the privateers was steep. I ended up getting a reimbursement from triple A.

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Sorry to hear about that dude, that sucks balls Mad

I would still write that letter and let them know how disapointed you are with the inter agency communications. You never know, you might shake something loose.

Dude you were killen it at Waddell

foghater · Since 31 Aug 2008 135 Posts Stoked

Thanks Twin for the comps. I felt like a kook compared to the bro bros

Yeah I wrote the Police and they actually responded quickly. I have to jump through a million hoops.

Might be easier to get reimbursed through my car insurance.