If your car is undriveable after a crash, it will need to be towed from the scene. You may call a tow truck yourself, or if you are unable, the police will have your car towed for you.
The moments after a car accident can be stressful, to say the least. You might be dealing with injuries, property damage, other drivers and more. And now — you’re having to find a tow truck driver who charges a reasonable rate and an auto body shop who won’t gouge you to store your car.
We created this guide to assist drivers in the St. Louis area who might be wondering what happens when your car gets towed after an accident. We’ll provide some tips and advice to protect your rights and make the process as smooth as possible.
As always, if you need legal help after your car accident, the skilled personal injury attorneys at Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse are here to help. We have recovered more than $1 billion for our clients, with a 98% success rate. Call (314) 350-1900 for a free consultation.
What to do before you call a towing company
If your car is disabled but you are physically able to walk around the accident scene, there are a few important steps you should take before calling a towing company.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver – If you’re able, get insurance information from the other driver and speak to any witnesses at the accident scene. You can use your phone camera to record their statements.
- Take lots of photos – Use your phone camera to photograph the accident scene, external damage to all vehicles and the inside of your car. Take photos from multiple angles, so it’ll be easy for your insurance company to understand how the accident occurred and what damage took place.
- Remove your valuables from your car – It’s going to be several days until you can recover your car. Remove any valuables or important documents.
- Call your insurance company – Your auto insurance policy might cover towing. It is often included if you have roadside assistance coverage. If you’re covered, your insurance likely has preferred towing companies and auto body shops they’d like you to use. If they don’t, take this step to find both towing and auto body services for your car.
- Call for a tow truck – Make sure and get an invoice from your driver that includes where they’re taking your car and a breakdown of costs. Unfortunately, tow truck scams exist, so it’s important to maintain a paper trail when someone tows you car and only hand over your car to the driver who you called. If a tow truck arrives before you call, they will likely overcharge you.
How much does a tow truck cost in Missouri?
In Missouri, the cost of towing a vehicle varies depending on several factors including the location of the tow, the type of vehicle and the specific circumstances of the tow. However, Missouri law sets guidelines to regulate these costs, ensuring they remain fair and reasonable.
For a standard passenger vehicle, the basic towing fee often ranges between $75 to $150. This fee can increase for larger vehicles or under special towing circumstances.
Then, towing companies may charge an hourly or per-mile fee (but not both). This rate is typically around $75 per hour or ranging between $3 and $5 per mile, varying by company and location within the state.
Finally, the tow company might also include fees for special circumstances. This could be anything from additional labor needed to disconnect the drive line or a fee for responding during an unusual hour.
So, in other words, if you needed a 10-mile tow to the tow yard and the towing company quoted you a $125 hookup fee and $5 per mile, you can expect to pay $175 for the tow.
If your vehicle is stored at a tow lot, they will likely charge you a daily storage fee. These fees generally range from $20 to $60 per day, depending on whether the storage is outdoor or indoor.
As we mentioned above, check with your auto insurance provider if your policy covers towing and storage fees. Some policies have agreements with specific towing companies, potentially reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
Where does the car go after it gets towed?
You can specify where you want your car to go, and the best option is to have it towed to the mechanic or auto body shop where you would like your car to be repaired. This saves you from having to tow it twice by first moving it to your home or to a storage lot.
If you are incapacitated, of course, you won’t have a choice. The priority for the police is to make the road safe again and reopen it as soon as possible, so they will likely have your car towed to the nearest salvage yard.
How to get your car back if it is being held at a salvage yard
If you needed immediate medical attention after your crash, you likely didn’t see what happened to your car while you were getting help. You’ll want to recover your car as quickly as possible, because it will be accruing daily fees in the storage yard.
You can track it down by calling the non-emergency line at the law enforcement agency that responded to your crash.
The most common in the St. Louis area are:
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Online – Non-emergency: 314-231-1212
St. Louis County Police Department
Online – Non-emergency: 636-529-8210
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Online – General line: 573-751-3313
What to do if the police impound your car after a crash
Law enforcement agencies might also impound your car at a police lot.
This can happen if the car is evidence in a criminal investigation or there’s suspicion of a crime, such as driving under the influence. Additionally, if you lack valid documentation like a driver’s license or insurance, your car can be impounded.
In this case, you’ll need to wait for the law enforcement agency that is holding your car to conclude its investigation and release it. This can take some time depending on the facts of the case, but as long as you stay in contact with the agency behind the investigation, they will notify you when it’s ready to be picked up.
Need legal help after your car accident?
There are few things in life more stressful than dealing with the aftermath of a serious car accident. From medical bills to missed time from work and fighting for compensation with insurance companies, it all combines to make this time unbearable.
A car accident attorney can help ease those stresses for you, working to collect evidence and build your case on your behalf. Your attorney will handle all communication with your insurance and the at-fault driver’s insurance, putting their expertise to work to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible as quickly as possible.
The attorneys at NGK Law are specialists in car crashes. With an in-depth knowledge of Missouri law and the maximum compensation amounts for property damages and injuries, we have what it takes to fight for you. Call today at (314) 350-1900 for a free consultation.
