Should I Allow My Car To Be Towed After An Accident?
One of the questions that tends to pop up often amongst those who have been involved in a collision, is whether they should allow their car to be towed. The decision to tow a vehicle can have significant financial repercussions for the parties involved, so if you were involved in a crash, you car was towed, and you have questions about who will be responsible for paying the towing company, reach out to an experienced Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer today.
The Terms of Your Insurance Policy
If you are involved in a crash and your vehicle is no longer drivable, then the police who responded to your accident will usually call a two truck company after filing their report. Often, the parties will need to have their vehicle towed again, to a preferred mechanic and will be required to pay storage fees in the meantime. These costs can quickly add up. Your insurance provider will usually be responsible for paying the company that towed your car after the accident, although this could vary depending on your coverage. That’s why it’s important for motorists to revisit their insurance policies to make sure that they are covered for reasonable towing costs. Before your car is moved, either to a mechanic or a storage lot, you’ll also want to make sure that you speak with your insurance adjusters, so that they can assess the damage to the vehicle before it is moved.
What to do Before Your Car is Towed
If your car was seriously damaged in a crash, then it will most likely be towed. There are a few steps, however, that you can take before this happens that could impact your claim later on. You should, for instance, refuse to let anyone tow your car until law enforcement officers have had the chance to come to the scene of the accident and assess the damage. It’s also a good idea to:
- Obtain the contact and insurance information of the other drivers;
- Collect the contact information of any eyewitnesses;
- Take photos of the damage to the vehicle;
- Remove all valuables and important belongings from the vehicle;
- Speak with the tow truck driver about where they are taking the vehicle, how long they will keep, and how much they charge; and
- Collect a receipt or some sort of documentation from the tow truck driver.
This information could be important later on when you are trying to obtain compensation for towing costs from your insurer.
Meet with Our Experienced Florida Auto Accident Lawyers
If you were recently involved in a car accident, you probably have a lot of questions surrounding your case, including who will pay for your towing costs. For help answering these questions, please call 954-566-9919 and set up a free, no obligation consultation with one of the dedicated Florida auto accident lawyers at Boone & Davis. A member of our legal team is standing by to address your questions and concerns and to help you get started on your case.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0713/Sections/0713.78.html
