When you tow a parked vehicle for an infraction, you have to accept that legal action could result. Many disgruntled vehicle owners will decide to hire an attorney and take you to court — and their argument is very likely to be that they weren't parked illegally at all. You can quickly get the case dismissed, thus saving you time and money, if you're able to prove that you were justified in towing the vehicle. You can accomplish this by snapping some photos with your smartphone and then keeping the photos on file, saved under the case number. Here are three specific photos of the vehicle to take.
Evidence Of The Infraction
Perhaps the most important photo that you can take is one that clearly shows the vehicle committing some form of parking infraction. For example, if you're towing the vehicle because it's parked in a fire lane, you should take your photo from an angle that shows the vehicle and whatever signage denotes the fire lane. Sometimes there will be a sign mounted to a post next to where the vehicle sits. In other cases, words painted on the pavement will indicate the fire lane.
The License Plate
The driver's attorney, upon seeing his or her client's vehicle parked in your first photo, may choose to argue that the vehicle in your image didn't actually belong to the client but was rather another person's vehicle. You need to ensure that you have a photo that clearly depicts the license plate. If you can take a photo in which it's possible to read the license plate and the sign that prohibits parking, this is ideal. Even if you get this information in two separate photos, however, the evidence can be in your favor.
Condition Before The Tow
Another method that a disgruntled motorist may use to try to get money from you is to say that you damaged the vehicle while towing it. For example, the motorist could lie and say that a scratch on the bumper is the result of your negligence. You should quickly go around the vehicle before you tow it and take photos of any damage. You can then show these photos to prove that the damage was apparent before you began the towing process. Snapping these photos shouldn't take long, and can play a major role in protecting you again legal action that would otherwise take up time and money.
For other auto towing questions or if you need a tow yourself, contact towing services in your area.
Share
