Car towed for not showing handicap parking permit
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Anonymous
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My elderly mother took my father, who has advanced Parkinsons, to his weekly occupational therapy appointment. She forgot to hang the handicap parking permit and when they came back out the car had been towed. She was able to get the car back from the nearby towing lot but it cost $370. The facility was not welcoming so they didn't linger.
Is there any chance she can get a refund as she did have the permit the entire time inside the car, it just wasn't visible. I'm trying to find out if this was a private parking or public parking lot. Although the money isn't missed, I'm annoyed because surely there must be some flexibility for people in stressful circumstances dealing with medical patients forgetting to hang a permit? |
Anonymous
| Is there an associated ticket ? What document notified her the car was towed? |
Anonymous
| That really stinks. I’m not sure how a refund would work since the permit wasn’t displayed as required. Hopefully your local jurisdiction has the requirements listed online. Also, it sounds like a good idea that the permit should always be hanging going forward, not just in the car. |
Anonymous
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The Police wouldn’t tow for that they would ticket. This makes me think it’s a private lot with a contract with a tow company set in place.
Technically your mom was in the wrong because the placard wasn’t visible so the tow company isn’t at fault because they did what they are contracted to do. So who would reimburse them? I think they need to just eat this one and remember to display the placard in future. |
Anonymous
| Is there a reason why the permit can't be displayed 24/7? |
Anonymous
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I mean, I hear you, but maybe the place had gotten complaints from people who needed the spot and saw a car parked there without the tags. Someone has to pay for the towing; should it be the doctor's office or your parents (who objectively made the mistake).
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Anonymous
| They were in a medical parking lot, parked in a handicap spot, with no sticker. Tell her to get a sticker on her plate. Sucks but it's her fault. |
Anonymous
I agree with this. My friend is a manager of an OT office and the owner has a private lot with a contract with a tow company. I used to take my dad there (who had Parkinsons so I wonder if this is the same place) and while they had a decent number of handicap spaces, they obviously had a clientele who was more likely to need them. As a result, they towed most cars who didn't have the appropriate placards showcased. |
Anonymous
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Why would you take it down and put it back up? Just leave it up.
But no, I don't think there's much leniency here if you didn't already get it at the lot at pick up. If you park in the spot you must have the tag displayed. Stress is not a reason to park illegally. |
Anonymous
We had one for my mom years ago. It says on the placard not to have it hanging from your mirror while driving because it limits your visibility. |
Anonymous
Probably only the father is eligible, so you only put it up when he's in the vehicle. |
Anonymous
| That is such a bummer. It made a hard situation that much harder. Maybe there is a way you can help her display the tag permanently? |
Anonymous
| The placard specifically says to take it down. They are a vision obstruction. There is no “sticker.” It is either a placard or a dedicated license plate. If a person has trouble remembering they can get the license plate. |
Anonymous
| That really stinks but it needs to be displayed so I think she’s out of luck. |
Anonymous
| That sucks, OP, I’m sorry. You’re probably out of luck getting a refund but I think the idea of getting the special license plate with the handicap decal is a valid one. |