Your Car Was Just in a Serious Car Accident: 11 Things to Do Before It Gets Towed Away

8 min read

The next few minutes after a serious car accident feel like a blur. Your heart is racing, your phone is buzzing, and a tow truck may already be backing up to your vehicle. Here is the problem: once your car leaves the scene, you lose easy access to evidence, personal belongings, and information that can matter for weeks or months afterward.

This guide walks through 11 practical things to do before your car is towed away. It covers photos, personal property, insurer information, towing destination, documentation, and more. Do what you can safely do, in the order that makes sense for your situation. Your health always comes first, and none of this is worth risking an injury.

A quick note: this article offers general, practical guidance. It is not legal advice, and rules about towing, police reports, and insurance vary by state and country. If you have questions about fault, injuries, or a dispute, talk to a licensed attorney or your insurer.

1. Get Safe and Get Medical Help First

Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers. Adrenaline can hide pain, so even if you feel fine, accept an evaluation from paramedics. Some injuries, such as concussions and internal bleeding, don't show symptoms right away.

If it is safe to do so, move to the roadside or a sidewalk away from traffic. If the car is in a live lane and cannot be moved, turn on the hazard lights, leave the vehicle if you can do so safely, and wait somewhere protected. Never stand between damaged vehicles or in traffic to take photos.

2. Call the Police and Get a Report Number

In a serious car accident, call emergency services. Many places require a police report for injuries, major damage, or a vehicle that can't be driven, and insurers usually want one.

Before the officer leaves, ask for:

The officer's name and badge number
The police report number
How and when you can get a copy of the report

Tell the officer what you remember, stick to the facts, and avoid guessing about speeds or distances. If you don't know something, say so.

3. Photograph the Scene and the Vehicle

Photos are some of the most useful records you can create, and they are free. Take more than you think you need, since you can always delete extras later. Try to capture:

All four sides of your car, plus close-ups of every point of damage
The other vehicle(s), including damage and license plates
The wider scene: lane markings, traffic signals, signs, skid marks, debris, and road conditions
The inside of your car, including a deployed airbag, a broken windshield, and the position of seats
Weather and lighting conditions
Any visible injuries on you or your passengers

A short video that walks around the scene can also help. Don't move debris or vehicles for a better shot unless police ask you to. Turn on your phone's location and timestamp settings if you can, so the images carry useful information.

4. Collect the Other Driver and Witness Information

Exchange information calmly, even if tensions are high. Get the following from every driver involved:

Full name, phone number, and address
Driver's license number
Insurance company, policy number, and the insurer's claims phone number
License plate number and the vehicle's make, model, and color

A photo of the other driver's insurance card and license is faster and more accurate than writing it down, as long as they agree. Also ask any witnesses for their names and phone numbers. Independent witnesses can be valuable later, and they often leave the scene quickly.

5. Retrieve Your Personal Property after Serious Car Accident

This is the step people forget, and it is one of the most important. Once a car is towed, getting back into it can mean fees, paperwork, limited hours, and, in some cases, a delay of days. Items left behind may also be stolen, damaged by weather, or lost during salvage.

Before the tow, take everything you will need or can't replace:

Phone, wallet, purse, and keys (including house keys)
Medications, glasses, and medical devices
Laptops, tablets, and chargers
Work items, bags, and important papers
Child car seats (see step 6)
Anything valuable in the glove box, trunk, or console

If you are injured and can't gather items yourself, ask a trusted friend or family member to meet you, or ask the tow operator or officer what the process is for retrieving belongings later. Take a quick photo of anything you must leave behind so you have a record of what was in the car.

6. Grab the Documents and Safety Items You'll Need Later

Beyond everyday belongings, a few items deserve special attention:

Registration and proof of insurance. You may need them for your claim, the police report, or the tow yard.
Child car seats. U.S. safety guidance generally recommends replacing a car seat after a moderate or severe crash, so don't leave one behind or assume it is still safe to use. Ask your insurer whether it is covered as part of your claim.
Toll transponders, parking permits, or garage remotes. These are easy to forget and annoying to replace.
Aftermarket equipment, like dash cams. A dash cam may have footage of the crash, so take the memory card or ask someone to help you save the video.

7. Find Out Who Is Towing Your Car, and Where It Is Going

Ask these questions before the vehicle leaves:

What is the name of the towing company, and what is its phone number and address?
Where exactly will my car be taken?
Who called this tow: the police, a property owner, or me?
Is the driver licensed and does the truck show the company's name and contact details?

Write everything down or take a photo of the truck and the driver's paperwork. In many places, you have some say over where your car goes when you request the tow yourself, such as to a repair shop you trust or your home. When police order the tow, a rotation tow company is often used, and your choices may be limited. Rules vary, so ask politely what options are available.

If your car is going to a storage yard, ask about the yard's hours and when you can access the vehicle. Make sure you know which yard to call, since similar company names can cause confusion.

8. Ask About Towing and Storage Fees Up Front

Towing and storage costs can add up fast, and storage fees often accrue daily. Ask the tow operator:

What is the towing charge?
What is the daily storage fee, and when does it start?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Will I need ID or proof of ownership to get my car or my belongings?

If your insurance includes towing or roadside coverage, say so and call your insurer promptly. In many cases, your insurer can arrange or approve a move to a repair facility, which can reduce storage charges. If the vehicle may be a total loss, ask your insurer how quickly they need to inspect it.

9. Call Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurer as soon as you reasonably can, ideally the same day. Most policies expect prompt notice, and many companies let you start a claim by app or phone from the scene. When you call, have the following ready:

Your policy number
The police report number
Other drivers' and witnesses' information
Your photos
The name and location of the tow company and storage yard

Ask about rental car coverage, towing and storage coverage, and how to schedule an inspection. Be factual and honest. If another driver's insurance company contacts you, you can stay polite while being careful: you are generally not required to give a recorded statement right away, and it is reasonable to wait until you have had time to think, seek medical care, and ask your own insurer or an attorney for guidance.

10. Write Down What Happened While It's Fresh

Memory fades quickly, and stress makes it worse. As soon as you can, while waiting for the tow or at home that evening, record:

The date, time, and exact location
Where you were going and where you were coming from
The direction you were traveling and the lane you were in
What you saw, heard, and felt right before and after the impact
What each driver and witness said
Any pain, symptoms, or injuries

A voice memo or a notes-app entry works fine. Keep it factual, avoid speculation, and save it with your photos. Then keep a running file of receipts, medical visits, missed work, and claim numbers.

11. Be Careful What You Say and Sign, and Know When to Get Advice

It's natural to say "I'm so sorry" after a crash, but try to avoid speculating about fault at the scene. Fault is often decided later by police, insurers, or courts, and you may not have all the facts yet. Stay polite, share necessary information, and stick to what you know.

Also be cautious about signing anything under pressure, including tow yard paperwork, repair authorizations, settlement offers, and releases. Read it first and ask what it means. Don't let anyone rush you into authorizing repairs or salvage before your insurer has had a chance to inspect.

Consider speaking with an attorney if:

Anyone was seriously hurt or killed
Fault is disputed
The other driver is uninsured or underinsured
An insurer offers a quick settlement or denies the claim
You are being charged unusual towing or storage fees

Many attorneys offer free initial consultations. This article can't replace advice that fits your specific situation.

Quick Checklist: Before the Tow Truck Leaves

Everyone is safe and medically evaluated
Police report number and officer details recorded
Photos and video of the scene, vehicles, and plates
Other driver and witness information collected
Personal property and documents removed from the car
Tow company name, phone number, destination, and fees confirmed
Insurer notified or call planned for today
Notes about what happened written down

FAQS

Can I choose where my car is towed after a serious car accident?

Sometimes. If you request the tow yourself, you can often choose a repair shop or your home. If police order the tow, the car may go to a designated yard, and your options may be limited. Ask politely, since rules differ by location.

What if I can't get my belongings out before the tow?

Ask the tow operator or officer how to retrieve them later. Tow yards commonly allow owners to collect personal items, sometimes with proof of ownership and during set hours. Take photos of what was in the car if you can.

Should I call my insurance company from the accident scene?

You can, if you are safe and calm enough to do so. Many insurers want prompt notice, and they can often help with towing, rental cars, and next steps. At minimum, call the same day.

Do I need a lawyer after a serious car accident?

Not always, but it is worth considering if there are injuries, disputed fault, an uninsured driver, or pressure to accept a settlement. This article is not legal advice, and a local attorney can explain your rights.

Nobody expects to be in a serious car accident, and no one handles it perfectly. But a few minutes of careful action before your car is towed away can protect your health, your belongings, and your claim. Save this checklist on your phone so it is there when you need it, and share it with a friend or family member who drives.

Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or insurance advice. Laws and policies vary by location and by situation. For advice about your circumstances, consult a qualified professional.