Union County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Union County, North Carolina
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from Eastway Wrecker / Martin Edwards & Associates.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Union County may vary. Contact the impound lot directly for exact costs.
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The First 48 Hours Are Critical
After a arrest in Union County, your vehicle is likely towed to an impound lot. Storage fees accumulate daily, making time your biggest enemy.
What Happens Immediately After Arrest
- 1
Vehicle is towed (usually within 30 minutes of arrest)
- 2
Tow company notifies impound lot (charges start immediately)
- 3
Storage fees begin accruing daily in Union County
- 4
Administrative fees added (varies by lot)
Documents You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle
- Valid photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- Vehicle registration or title
- Proof of insurance
- Payment for all fees (see calculator above)
- Release authorization (if not the registered owner)
Can Someone Else Pick Up My Car?
Yes, but they'll need:
- • Written authorization from the registered owner
- • Copy of owner's ID
- • Their own valid ID
- • Proof of insurance in their name or the owner's name
Impound Lot Details
Call Before You Go
Verify your vehicle is at this lot and confirm the exact amount owed before making the trip. Hours and fees may change without notice.
The Impound “Poverty Trap”
Many people can't afford to get their car out immediately, but waiting only makes it worse.
Here's the vicious cycle:
Can't afford the first 3 days of storage + admin fees
Wait a week to save money → fees double
Can't get to work without car → lose income
Wait 2 weeks → fees triple or quadruple
After 30 days → Car may be auctioned by the lot
What You Can Do
- • Borrow money from family/friends (pay them back later, cheaper than daily fees)
- • Use a credit card (even with interest, cheaper than impound fees)
- • Sell non-essential items quickly
- • Ask your employer for an advance
- • Check if your auto insurance covers towing/storage (some policies do)
Vehicle impound procedures in Union County, North Carolina, following a DWI arrest hinge on whether your vehicle is subject to a standard impoundment or a statutory seizure. This distinction dictates where your car is taken and how you can retrieve it.
The First 48 Hours After a Union County DWI Arrest
The immediate aftermath of a DWI arrest in Union County involves separating you from your vehicle. The clock starts ticking the moment your car is towed, and fees begin to accrue. If you have a valid driver's license and no prior pending DWI charges, your vehicle will likely be towed for safekeeping to a local lot. However, if your license is already revoked for a prior impaired driving offense, or if you are unlicensed and uninsured, your vehicle faces statutory seizure under N.C.G.S. § 20-28.3. This means your car could be transported to a state-contracted facility in Charlotte, over 25 miles away.
Your first step should be to determine where your vehicle has been taken. Contact the Union County Sheriff’s Office or the Monroe Police Department to find out the towing company used. If it's a local company, it's likely a standard impound. If it's Eastway Wrecker, your vehicle has been seized and transported to Charlotte. Act quickly, as storage fees accumulate daily, and unpaid fees can lead to the vehicle being sold before your case even goes to trial.
What Happens After Arrest / Documents Required
| Standard Impoundment (Safekeeping) Eastway Wrecker / Martin Edwards & Associates is located in Charlotte.
Primary Impound Facility
Stegall’s Towing 2714 B Cureton St, Monroe, NC 28112 (843) 658-3575
Cost Breakdown
While specific towing and storage fees can vary, be prepared for the following:
- Tow Fee: This is a one-time charge for the towing service itself.
- Daily Storage Fee: Storage fees begin accruing immediately and continue for each day your vehicle remains at the lot.
- Administrative Fees: These may include processing fees, release fees, and other charges associated with retrieving your vehicle.
Required Documents for Release
To retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot, you will typically need the following documents:
- Vehicle Title
- Vehicle Registration
- Photo ID of the registered owner
- Notarized Power of Attorney (if the owner is not physically present)
Contacting the Tow Company
Contact Stegall's Towing at (843) 658-3575. Their administrative office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. While they advertise 24/7 availability for towing and roadside assistance, confirm that release operations mirror intake operations. They accept cash and cards, but do not accept personal checks.
Special Circumstances
- Weekend/Holiday Procedures: While Stegall's advertises 24/7 towing, verify if the administrative office is open for vehicle releases on weekends and holidays.
- Third-Party Pickup: If you cannot retrieve your vehicle yourself, a third party can do so with a notarized Power of Attorney from the registered owner.
- Two-Person Requirement: If your license is suspended due to the DWI, you cannot legally drive the vehicle off the lot. You must be accompanied by a licensed driver.
- Contesting Fees: Regulations state that storage fees cannot be charged for days the wrecker service failed to be available for vehicle retrieval. Document any instances where you were unable to reach the lot or retrieve your vehicle during advertised hours.
Stegall’s Towing is located at 2714 B Cureton St, Monroe, NC 28112 and can be reached at (843) 658-3575.
Sources
North Carolina Transportation Code
Union County Towing Regulations
North Carolina Department of Licensing and Regulation
Nearby North Carolina Counties
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