Towing your car after a collision can be a stressful experience – here’s everything you need to know
Regardless of how careful and responsible, you are on the road, there are times when you fail to prevent an accident. Subsequently, you have numerous things to deal with – from ensuring your physical safety through medical attention to acquiring legal assistance and filing an insurance claim.
One of the key factors to remember is that you along with your car may not be in a condition to drive to a safe location. That’s where you need some help from a tow truck service that can safely transport your vehicle to a garage. This situation raises a few concerns and questions that need to be addressed.
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Is it necessary to tow my vehicle after an accident?
You have to bear in mind that an accident, however trivial, is a traumatic experience for you. Even if you are physically safe and healthy, it is highly recommended that you or anyone with you in the car shouldn’t drive the vehicle for a while. You need to focus on yourself and get out of that mental state before you drive again. Sometimes it may not feel like it but you are disoriented and stressed.
And if you have sustained physical injuries after the accident, driving should be completely out of question. Your first priority should be seeking medical attention and not driving your car to a garage or someplace else. If you still get behind the wheel, you may be putting yourself and other passengers at risk.




How should I select the right towing company?
Depending on the situation and nature of the accident, any party can select the towing service. If the collision has occurred on a busy road or highway where your vehicle is creating an obstacle in the way of smooth traffic flow, it is likely that the police will make that decision on your behalf. This scenario demands the vehicle be towed right away in the safest and quickest manner.
On the other hand, if you are not on a busy road, you can select a towing company on your own. Make sure that you are choosing an experienced and highly trustworthy towing service that will take care of your vehicle. Prior to finalizing the deal, inquire about all the fees and charges involved including towing, storage, and administrative expenses.
If you have no idea which company would be the best choice, you can rely on a service like Dealgrace that will find the most affordable and reputable towing company for you. You can get the tow scheduled in a matter of minutes without having to worry about the reputation of the company as they are all vetted by Dealgrace.
What happens after my vehicle gets towed?
It is imperative that you should make every effort to store your vehicle in a safe and secure manner after an accident. This will ensure seamless and hassle- free legal proceedings including filing an accident report and insurance investigation. Your insurance service provider will carry out a comprehensive evaluation of your vehicle to assess the damage.
Don’t send your vehicle for any modifications or repairs after towing until the completion of legal proceedings. Generally, you can choose to send your vehicle to the following locations:
- Tow Lot / Salvage Yard – If the vehicle has sustained a lot of damage, you can ask the towing service to transport the car to a nearby tow lot or a salvage yard. It’s the best option for you when you don’t have any other place to send your vehicle to. However, keep in mind that this will incur storage costs every day.
- Auto Repair Shop – If your mechanic is in close proximity or there’s an auto body shop close to the accident location, you can send your vehicle there. Make sure you obtain a confirmation receipt.
- Home – Another option is to send your vehicle straight to your home where it can be safely stored in your driveway or garage. Use this option if your home is close by and the vehicle hasn’t sustained any substantial damage.
Do I have to pay for the tow service?
Mostly, it depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. It doesn’t matter if the accident is your fault or not, if your policy provides a cover for collisions and towing and roadside assistance, the insurance company will reimburse the costs. A majority of the insurance providers offer coverage for towing as well as storage fees as long as they are reasonable. That’s why it is to your advantage to find an affordable tow service and retrieve it in a few days from the storage facility.
However, if your insurance doesn’t provide the cover, you will have to bear the expenses for towing and storing your vehicle. The fees and charges will vary from one service provider to another, that’s why it is recommended that you discuss the matter of pricing prior to towing your car.
How do I get my car back after towing?
Usually, you would know where your car has been taken to and you can simply contact the company and get your vehicle back after paying the outstanding service charges. In case you were absent from the accident scene due to any reason and your car got towed, you can reach out to law enforcement to find out where your vehicle went.
Don’t forget that a towing service may have multiple lots in the region so it is necessary to identify where your car was sent. This way you can get your car back once you have made the due payment.
Final Word
Getting into an accident or a collision can be a stressful experience for anyone. It is highly recommended that you shouldn’t drive after such a traumatic incident and call on a towing service to get your vehicle to a safe place. Once you have dealt with the important matters at hand including your own physical and mental well-being, you can always get your vehicle back.