Being prepared for every situation after a car accident can help ease a lot of anxiety and nerves you have thinking about the possibility of these scenarios. One question that sometimes pops up is, “Should I let them tow my car away from the accident scene?”
There are many scenarios involved in this predicament. Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers are here to help.
Here’s how to be prepared for your car possibly being towed after a car accident.
Will My Car Be Towed from The Accident Scene?
If you have never been involved in a car accident, then you may not be accustomed to all that unfolds after a collision, regardless of whether it’s major or minor. Depending on the conditions of your accident, your car may be towed, especially if it’s undrivable after the collision. This is the main reason why vehicles are towed from the scene.
A police officer will call the tow truck for you after they have been to the scene and filed an official report. Your insurance, depending on what coverage you may have, will be responsible for paying for the tow truck that is used after an accident.
In some situations, you will have no choice in where your vehicle is towed to, so you might have to have it towed once again later on to your preferred mechanic location. There is a storage fee that will come into play when your vehicle is being housed in a storage lot that has daily fees. Because of this, the cost for car storage adds up quickly to hundreds of dollars.
It’s very important to revisit your car insurance policy to see if you are covered for any reasonable towing. If the wording “reasonable towing” is in your policy anywhere, this means your insurance will cover the towing and housing, but possibly only for a select handful of days, which is another important factor to consider.
Before your car is moved, you will want to call the insurance adjusters out to the storage lot so they can assess the damage before it is moved again. Whenever you speak to your insurance adjuster, document the day and times spoken to and even times you attempted to call them for your rights to be protected throughout.
What To Do Before Your Car Is Towed After an Accident
Before your vehicle is towed, there are important steps for you to take that can impact your claim later on.
Firstly, you should note that Florida operates under a modified comparative rule. This means all parties of the wreck share the blame. This was meant to reduce the amount of car accident lawsuits from being filed, so your primary claim at the beginning of your fight will be to your insurance provider.
That stated, you will want to do several important things:
Call Law Enforcement
Do not let anyone tow your car before law enforcement has had a chance to come to the scene and assess the damage. The police are responsible for writing an unbiased report that your insurance adjuster and attorney could use as evidence later. If you are not badly injured to the point where you can’t speak, call 9-1-1.
Speak To the Other Driver
Unless the other driver flees the scene (which then constitutes as a hit-and-run and opens another set of legal issues), you should exit the vehicle (if you are able to) and communicate with the other driver. Ask for their name, contact information, and insurance information, along with the make, model, and color of their car. If there are any witnesses around, don’t be afraid to ask for their names along with a statement as well.
Remove Valuables from Your Car
If police deem your car as able to be driven home, you don’t have to worry about this part. If the police say your vehicle will need to be towed, you will want to remove all valuables and important belongings from your vehicle since it could be days before you can have it back.
Speak With the Tow Truck Driver
You will want to know where they are taking your vehicle, how long they will keep it, how much they charge, and any other relevant information. Make sure you collect a receipt or some sort of documentation from them to keep on file.
Final Steps
Lastly, you should be observed by medical professionals to rule out any possible health situations that can be starting as an effect of the wreck. Medical records can also serve as evidence for your claim, and it ensures your health is protected.
This is also the time to go ahead and call your attorney to let them what’s happened and that you’d like to speak with them about the accident before you contact your insurance adjuster. If you don’t have a Stuart Car Accident Lawyer you trust, now is the time to find one.
Your Vehicle Is Totaled… Now What?
This can become a tricky situation for a variety of reasons. Residents in Florida are required to carry a certain limit of insurance to help cover the costs of car damages, but if your vehicle is totaled from a collision in Stuart, Florida, the at-fault party’s insurance will cover the costs up to the limit of the coverage.
Your attorney and insurance adjuster can advise you on your next steps for coverage and costs regarding a totaled vehicle.
Speak To a Lawyer About Your Rights & Case
Car accidents involve many steps that can become a headache, especially if victims aren’t sure of what to do or what their rights are after an accident. Many people will wait until their case takes a negative turn to contact a lawyer, but in reality, most accident victims should contact a lawyer before their case even begins.
Your attorney will be responsible for collecting necessary evidence for your insurance adjusted and lawsuit (if you are eligible to file for one), and for advocating for you if you go up against defendants that have solid attorneys on their side too.
Lawyers also serve as solid legal advice for what your next steps are in a complicated case. If your case makes it to court, your lawyer will be responsible for doing most of the work and speaking on your behalf to the necessary parties.
Contact Frankl Kominsky Today
If you find yourself in a car accident situation, contact legal experts to inform you of your rights immediately.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers has been in practice for over 40 years helping the residents of Stuart, Florida, and surrounding locations know their rights and fight for justice in car accidents (by appointment only). We can also help you seek extra compensation to help you pay for medical expenses and car damages that happened as a result of the accident.
We imagine you likely have a lot of questions surrounding your case, which is why we want to help. To learn more about your case, schedule a no-obligation free consultation by calling our office at (561) 800-8000 or fill out our case evaluation form online to get started.