Allendale County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Allendale County

A DUI arrest in Allendale County, SC is a stressful experience, and dealing with the aftermath can feel overwhelming. One immediate concern is often: what happens to my car? This guide provides practical information on how to retrieve your vehicle after a DUI arrest in Allendale County.

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

After a DUI arrest, your vehicle is typically impounded for a few key reasons:

• Safety: To prevent you from driving under the influence again immediately after your release.
• Evidence: Your vehicle may be held as potential evidence in your DUI case.
• Liability: The police and towing companies want to avoid any liability if you were to cause an accident while impaired.

Understanding this process is the first step to getting your car back as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Where Is Your Car?

Finding out where your car is located is the priority.

Official Impound Lots in Allendale County

Unfortunately, we don't have specific impound lot data for Allendale County at this time. Please follow the steps below to locate your vehicle. We are working to update this information regularly.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Call Allendale County Police/Sheriff: Your best bet is to contact the Allendale County Police Department or the Allendale County Sheriff's Office immediately. You can usually find their contact information online with a quick search.
• Reference your case number: When you call, provide your name and, most importantly, your case number. This will help them quickly locate your vehicle's impound location.
• Most vehicles towed within 24 hours of arrest: Typically, your car will be towed to an impound lot within 24 hours of your arrest. The sooner you start looking, the better.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you know where your car is impounded, you'll need specific documents to retrieve it.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license: Ideally, your valid driver's license. If yours is suspended, see the section below.
• Vehicle registration: The current registration for the vehicle.
• Proof of insurance: Current proof of insurance for the vehicle.
• Cash or credit card for fees: Be prepared to pay impound and storage fees. Contact the impound lot directly to confirm acceptable payment methods.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your driver's license is suspended due to the DUI arrest (which is common), you'll need someone else to pick up the vehicle. They will need:

• Their valid driver's license: The person retrieving the vehicle must have a valid license.
• Authorization from you: A signed letter authorizing them to pick up the vehicle on your behalf.
• Vehicle title/registration: Documentation proving ownership of the vehicle (title or registration).

Costs & Fees in Allendale County

Understanding the costs involved is crucial because these fees can add up quickly. Since Allendale County specific data is unavailable, these are estimates and you must confirm with the impound lot.

Typical Fees

• Towing fee: Expect this to range from $150 to $300.
• Daily storage: Storage fees can be $20 to $50 per day.
• Administrative fees: These fees vary but could be in the range of $25-$75.
• Release fee: This is a one-time fee for releasing the vehicle, often around $50-$100.

IMPORTANT: These fees accumulate daily. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes to retrieve your vehicle. Act fast!

Payment Methods

Due to the lack of specific impound lot data for Allendale County, it's best to call the impound lot directly to ask about their accepted payment methods. Common payment methods include:

• Cash
• Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover)

Timeline

Time is of the essence when it comes to retrieving your vehicle.

Within 24 Hours

Aim to retrieve your car as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of the impound. This minimizes daily storage fees.

After 30 Days

If your vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period (typically 30 days), the impound lot may have the legal right to sell it at a lien sale to recover their costs. You'll lose your car and potentially still owe fees.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Facing a DUI arrest can strain your finances. If you're struggling to afford the impound fees, consider these options:

Options

• Borrow from family/friends: This is often the quickest solution to cover the immediate costs.
• Payment plans: Some impound lots may offer payment plans. Inquire directly with the lot manager.
• Sign vehicle over to impound lot: As a last resort, you may be able to sign the vehicle title over to the impound lot to cover the fees. This avoids accumulating further debt but means you lose the vehicle.

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait: Procrastinating only increases the daily storage fees and makes the situation worse.
• Don't abandon the vehicle: Abandoning the vehicle can lead to additional legal trouble and fines.

Special Situations

If Your Car Was Evidence

In some cases, your vehicle may be held longer by the police if it's considered evidence in your DUI case.

• May be held longer by police: Contact your attorney to determine when the vehicle will be released.
• Get release authorization first: Before going to the impound lot, obtain written authorization from the police department to release the vehicle.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered in someone else's name (e.g., a parent, spouse), the registered owner has the right to retrieve it, regardless of your DUI arrest.

• Registered owner can retrieve regardless of your situation: They are legally entitled to the vehicle.
• They'll need proof of ownership: The registered owner will need to provide their driver’s license and the vehicle's registration or title.

After Retrieval

Once you've retrieved your vehicle, take these important steps:

Check Your Vehicle

• Document any damage immediately: Thoroughly inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while it was impounded.
• Take photos: Photograph any damage as evidence.
• Report damage to impound lot manager: Immediately report any damage to the impound lot manager and file a written claim.

Allendale County Impound Lot Locations

[As we currently lack specific impound lot data for Allendale County, we recommend contacting the Allendale County Police Department or the Allendale County Sheriff's Office for this information. We are working to update this section with specific locations and map references as soon as possible.]

This guide provides a starting point for navigating the process of retrieving your vehicle after a DUI arrest in Allendale County. Remember to act quickly, communicate with the relevant authorities, and document everything. It's also highly recommended to consult with a qualified DUI attorney in South Carolina to protect your rights and navigate the legal complexities of your DUI case.