What happens if my car is towed after an accident?

Accidents can be overwhelming. Not only are you shaken, but you must worry about your health, your safety, and your damaged vehicle. Should you try and drive the vehicle home? Call a tow truck? Let the police have it hauled away? Here is some basic information about what you should do if your vehicle has been damaged in an accident.

Where are cars stored after an accident?

As evidence of the accident, cars must be carefully preserved until any accident reports and insurance investigations are complete. To determine fault and assess damages for insurance claims, the insurance companies of all involved drivers will complete an independent damage assessment of the affected vehicles.

Typically, cars that are not drivable from the scene of an accident are towed to an impound lot, tow lot, collision center, auto body shop or home. With the exception of your home, the vehicle is usually accumulating daily storage fees at these locations. Until all assessments and any investigations are complete by the insurance companies, it is important that the vehicles are not altered, repaired, or moved more than necessary.

If the vehicle is deemed a total loss as a result of the insurance investigation, then the insurance company may arrange to pick it up. If the insurance investigation concludes that the vehicle is repairable, then the vehicle repairs may begin at a collision center or auto body shop.

Am I responsible for towing my car after an accident?

The short answer is yes. If your vehicle is not operable, it should be towed to an impound lot, tow lot, collision center, auto body shop, or it can even be towed home to your driveway if you prefer. If you choose not to tow an inoperable vehicle and leave it near the accident scene, local laws will determine how quickly police have the vehicle towed when you do not return for it. It will then be your responsibility to pay the towing fees, storage fees, and other costs.

While you may have to bear the initial costs for towing and storage, ultimately the responsibility for the expense will fall on the insurance company for at fault driver.  Even if you believe another driver is at fault and will have to pay for your towing and storage fees, it is important to have the vehicle towed at a reasonable cost and remove the vehicle from storage as soon as appropriate to mitigate damages.

What happens if my car is drivable after an accident?

First, before you move the vehicle it is important to take photos of the accident scene including your car, the other vehicles, and your surroundings. This will be important evidence for insurance claims. The other driver's insurance company will likely want to see the vehicle to perform an independent damage assessment; however, these scene photos will save you from the risk of insurance adjusters questioning whether damage came from the accident or a subsequent event during transportation or storage.

Should I contact an attorney to help me with my car after an accident?

Accidents lead to a lot of back-and-forth insurance negotiations and confusing policy language. An experienced car accident attorney can help lessen the burden of figuring out what specific steps you need to take after an accident. From figuring out how to store your car after an accident to negotiating the insurance settlement you deserve, a personal injury attorney can help make the process a little less stressful. Natasha Misra Law helps with the repair or replacement of your car at no additional cost to you.

Contact Milwaukee personal injury attorney Natasha Misra Law today.