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After a crash

Towing after a car accident: what to do

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The short answer

After a crash, check for injuries and call emergency services if anyone is hurt or you are in danger. Turn on your hazard lights and move to safety. Then ask the responders about the tow, find out which company is coming and where your car is going.

What should I do first after a car accident?

Your health comes first. Check yourself and everyone in the cars. If anyone is hurt, or you are in a dangerous spot, call emergency services before anything else.

The car can wait. Do not worry about the tow until people are safe. Stay calm, turn on your hazard lights and keep away from moving traffic.

Who calls the tow truck after an accident?

It depends on the scene. Sometimes responders arrange a tow for a car that cannot be driven. Other times you or your insurer call one.

Whatever happens, ask. Ask which company is coming, when they will arrive and where your car will be taken. Do not hand over your car to a truck you did not expect without checking with the responders or your insurer.

What should I ask the tow company after an accident?

Ask for the company name, the driver name and the address where your car is going. Ask what hours that place is open and what you need to bring to pick up your things.

Ask your insurer too, because they may have steps of their own for a car after a crash. Keep a note of every name and number you are given.

  • The company name and phone number.
  • The driver name.
  • Where the car is going.
  • When you can get your belongings.
  • What to bring when you go.

What about my belongings and the car itself?

Take what you need before the car is loaded. That includes your phone, wallet, papers, medicine and anything valuable. If you cannot, tell the driver and ask how to get them later.

A damaged car may need a flatbed, so the driver can load it safely, and a hybrid or electric car can have its own handling rules in the owner's manual, so tell the driver what you drive. Photos taken at the scene and by the driver help show what shape the car was in.

Step by step

  1. Check for injuries and call emergency services

    Check yourself and everyone else. If anyone is hurt, or you are in a dangerous spot, call emergency services right away.

  2. Turn on your hazard lights and get to safety

    If the car can move and it is safe, move it out of traffic. If it cannot move, get yourself and others away from the road, away from the car and away from traffic.

  3. Follow the instructions of the responders

    Police, fire and medical crews will tell you what to do. Answer their questions and stay where they ask you to be.

  4. Take photos if it is safe

    Photograph the scene, the cars and any damage. Do it only when you are away from traffic and no one needs help.

  5. Call your insurer

    Tell your insurer about the accident. Ask what they need and whether they have a roadside assistance or tow benefit for a crash.

  6. Find out about the tow

    Ask the responders or your insurer which tow company is coming, and ask where your car will be taken. Write down the company name and phone number.

  7. Take your belongings before the car leaves

    Take your phone, wallet, papers, bags and anything important. Ask the driver about getting other items later.

  8. Ask where the car is and how to get it

    Confirm the address, the hours and what you need to bring. Ask what will happen to the car next.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive my car away after a minor accident?

Only if it is safe, it drives normally and responders say it is fine. If there is leaking fluid, damage to a wheel or anything that looks wrong, do not drive it. Call for a tow.

Will my insurance help with the tow?

Some policies include help with towing after a crash, and details differ. Call your insurer and ask what your plan covers and what steps they want you to take.

How do I find my car after it was towed from the scene?

Ask the responders or the driver where it is going before it leaves. If you did not, call the responders who were at the scene or your insurer, and ask them which company took it.

Should I take photos of the car before it is loaded?

Yes, if it is safe. Photos of every side and the damage help you and your insurer. Stay away from traffic while you do it.

Stuck right now?

If anyone is hurt, or you are stopped in traffic, call emergency services first. Then get to a safe spot away from moving traffic.

Once you are safe, call your local tow company or your roadside assistance plan. This page is general information and cannot send help.

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Keep reading

What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down Right NowStuck on the road? Start with safety: hazard lights, a safe spot, and who to call. Simple steps you can follow from your phone. Read the steps before you call.How to Prepare Your Car for a TowWhat to do before the tow truck loads your car: take your things, take photos, tell the driver about problems and get paperwork. Follow the steps.Flatbed vs Wheel-Lift Towing: Which You NeedA flatbed carries your car with all four wheels off the ground. A wheel-lift lifts one axle. Learn which fits your car and what to tell the tow company.Roadside Assistance vs Towing: Which to CallRoadside assistance covers quick fixes like a jump or a lockout, and often a tow. A tow company moves the car. Learn which to call first. Read before you dial.