Why was my vehicle towed?

There are a number of reasons vehicles are towed:

  • If your vehicle is no longer where you left it, there is a good possibility it was parked in a private lot and a tow company removed it and impounded it under a contract with a private business. This is known as a Private Property Impound. The Sheriff's Office has little to no involvement in this type of impound but we are able to confirm it has been impounded.
  • If you parked illegally (i.e. in a handicap spot, loading zone, expired meter, etc.), your vehicle was probably cited for illegal parking and impounded.
  • If you were involved in an accident and your vehicle was removed from the scene, your vehicle is being stored at a tow company. Towing charges will need to be paid by you or your insurance company but your vehicle is not impounded as long as you were not involved in a criminal act such as driving under the influence or a crash involving critical injury or death.
  • Your car was considered abandoned as defined under MCL 257.252 and a law enforcement agency impounded your vehicle.
  • If your vehicle was used in the commission of a crime, a law enforcement agency impounded your vehicle and it is being stored at a tow company under contract with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office or at a Sheriff's storage facility.

Show All Answers

1. Can I contest the tow or impound?
2. If my vehicle was impounded, how do I get it back?
3. What if the tow company provided poor customer service?
4. Where is my vehicle being stored?
5. Why was my vehicle towed?