Discovering that your car was towed following an accident can add extra layers of stress and confusion to an already difficult situation. Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a minor fender bender or a more severe collision, understanding the process and what steps to take next can significantly ease your mind.
Here’s what you need to know if your car gets towed after a collision, with or without your permission.
What Should I Do Before My Car Gets Towed?
Remember that you may have the car towed wherever you like. That includes sending it to a trusted mechanic. However, even when you don’t have your car towed after an accident without permission, there are a few steps you should take before it leaves the scene.
1. Get Pictures of the Car and the Accident Scene
It’s essential to take pictures and videos of your car and the crash scene right after it happens. Evidence of your vehicle in the aftermath, debris and all, shows the severity of the accident. This is something that is difficult to replicate after they move the car to a tow lot or elsewhere.
Make sure to capture both your car and any other cars involved, how the accident area looks, and specific things like intersections, broken traffic lights, or ignored street signs. Memories fade, especially when dealing with the stress of an accident, so having these visuals is a big help.
2. Ask the Towing Company for Their Contact Information
Whether it seems straightforward or unnecessary, ask for the tow company’s information after an accident. Without it, you could waste valuable time on hold with the police trying to find who towed your car. Unfortunately, this may be unavoidable if your accident incapacitates you.
3. Copy Down the Other Driver’s Insurance Information
Verifying whether the other driver has insurance is crucial before your car gets towed. California is an at-fault state, meaning the other driver’s insurance is responsible for paying any towing or storage fees. However, if they don’t have insurance, you may end up footing the bill if you don’t let your insurance company know.
What Happens When Your Car Gets Towed After an Accident?
In California, in the event of a car accident, the responsible motorist (and their insurance provider) is typically liable for all resulting costs, including towing and storage fees. However, coverage for these fees may vary depending on your insurance plan, with some policies requiring additional roadside assistance coverage.
After a car accident, if the police deem your vehicle unsafe to drive, obstructs traffic, or you are incapacitated, law enforcement or authorized personnel may decide to have your car towed without your explicit permission. This step ensures public safety and to clear the roadway for normal traffic flow. The decision on where to tow your car can vary depending on local laws, the condition of the vehicle, and agreements with towing companies.
Why Would a Car Be Impounded After an Accident?
Police impound cars after accidents if they are deemed inoperable, especially if the driver is too injured to move them. Police may also call a tow truck on behalf of the injured driver if they cannot arrange it themselves due to injuries or other reasons.
How to Find Out Where My Car Was Towed After an Accident
Once you confirm your car was towed and not stolen, find out where it was taken. Check any posted signage or contact the local police using a non-emergency number for this information. After identifying the impound lot, call them to inquire about the fees you need to pay.
Towing companies are required to report tows to the police. The police can provide you with the location of your car.
Provide your car’s license plate number to the police dispatcher to check the car’s status and receive further instructions. Alternatively, check your city’s towed vehicle locator website, if available, for updates.
If you find yourself in the situation of having your car towed after an accident without permission, here are the steps you can follow to locate it:
- Contact local law enforcement. The first step in determining how to find out where your car was towed after an accident is to contact the local police department. They should have a record of the tow and can inform you of the location of your vehicle.
- Check with nearby towing companies. Sometimes, if the police don’t have this information immediately available, calling nearby towing services can help you quickly find out where your car was towed after an accident.
- Use online resources. Some cities have online systems where you can search for towed vehicles by license plate or VIN which can be an efficient way to find out who towed your vehicle.
Of course, if you can’t find your car after following these steps, we highly recommend contacting a Los Angeles attorney. Your vehicle is one of the most essential pieces of evidence for your claim, so it’s crucial to locate it quickly.
What Happens When I Get to the Lot?
To retrieve your car from the impound lot, you will need to present your driver’s license, proof of ownership, insurance, and registration. Additionally, you may be required to complete some forms. It’s usually advisable to retrieve your vehicle from storage as quickly as possible, even if your insurance company covers the towing and storage costs.
Car Accident Towing FAQs
Had your car towed after your accident? Here are some of the most common questions we see about car towing following a crash.
Is Towing Long Distance Bad for Your Car?
Towing a car, particularly over long distances, can affect its condition depending on the towing method. Flatbed towing is considered safer and minimizes the risk of damage, especially for vehicles with automatic transmissions.
How Far Can an Automatic Car Be Towed?
An automatic car should not be towed with its drive wheels on the road for more than a short distance. This distance varies between manufacturers, but it’s not recommended to tow an automatic car this way for more than 15 miles. Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission. A flatbed truck is more appropriate for longer distances.
Does Towing Damage Transmission?
Improper towing of a vehicle, particularly automatic cars, can lead to transmission damage. Using a flatbed tow truck is an effective way to avoid such damage.
Peerali Law Knows How Overwhelming the Days After an Accident Are
The days following an accident are some of the most difficult and stressful days for victims. At Peerali Law, we understand how difficult this situation is. That’s why we are dedicated to helping manage every aspect of your case personally so that you may focus on recovery.
For us, nothing is more important than treating our clients like family. If you were injured in an accident in Los Angeles, we’re here to help. For a free consultation, fill out our contact form or give us a call at (818) 688-4050.
Kristopher earned his J.D. at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law where he was a member of the Review of Law and Social Justice honors law journal and was awarded several scholastic honors.
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