Benjamin Kline, Esq.
After an accident, your vehicle may need to be towed from the scene. If your vehicle sustains severe damage and is unsafe or undrivable, the police will have you call a tow truck or call one themselves. Here are a few things you should do before the tow truck arrives:
Photograph the Accident Scene
Make sure to take pictures from multiple angles of the outside and inside of your vehicle, any other vehicles that were involved, and the relative position of all involved vehicles. These photos can be useful evidence when presenting an insurance claim or, if necessary, a lawsuit.
Gather Insurance Information and Other Significant Evidence
Many of us keep important documents like insurance information in our vehicles. Some of us may use a dash-cam to prevent insurance fraud. Remember to exchange insurance information with the other driver(s) and grab your dash-cam before your vehicle is towed away.
Remove Anything Important or Valuable from the Vehicle
It may be days or weeks before you have access to your car again. Do not leave valuables or important items behind.
Know Where Your Vehicle Is Going
This may seem obvious, but it is easy to overlook important details in the chaos of a car accident. If you have an auto body shop that you trust, or that your insurance company has already approved to repair your car, try to have your vehicle towed there. However, this may not be possible if you are not local or do not have time to spare.
Get Documentation from the Tow Truck Driver.
If you have not made prior arrangements, find out where the tow driver is taking your car, how much they are charging for the tow, what additional fees they will charge, and how much storage will cost if they are taking it to their tow yard rather than an auto body shop. Make sure you get some sort of documentation, like a receipt or invoice, before turning the vehicle over to the tow driver. If you cannot ascertain who called the tow or if they refuse to provide you with documentation, do not give them your vehicle.
Get Help After Your Car Has Been Towed
Dealing with insurance and towing companies can be a difficult, frustrating, and lengthy process, even if you do everything right. It is especially hard to deal with these issues if you were injured in the accident and now must fight just to keep the insurance, towing, or storage companies from taking advantage of you. That is why it is a good idea to talk to a knowledgeable lawyer if you have been involved in an accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please call our office at 651-493-0426 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.
