Car Accident – Seeking Advice
I was in a car accident last night around 9 PM and I could really use some advice on how to handle the situation and minimize my out-of-pocket expenses. Here’s what happened:
I stopped at a T intersection where I had a stop sign. There was another car with its hazards on, likely a delivery vehicle, positioned right by the stop sign, which obstructed my view of oncoming traffic to the right. I slowly inched forward to get a better look and ended up getting hit by an oncoming car that had the right of way. My front bumper is damaged, and the hood is crumpled. The other vehicle sustained damage to the driver’s side and rear door as well. Thankfully, everyone is okay, and there were no injuries. However, the car with the hazards left the scene pretty quickly, and no one managed to catch its details amidst the chaos. Fortunately, a witness saw the accident and provided me with their contact information.
My car was not drivable afterward, and a tow truck arrived. This was my first accident, so I was understandably shaken and unsure of what to do next. The tow truck drivers assured me that my insurance would cover their fees, so I allowed them to take my car to their yard. In hindsight, I probably should have called AAA instead, but I was anxious and confused in the moment.
Once I got home, I reported the incident to my insurance and explained everything. I’m uncertain about fault but suspect it may lean towards me.
My Concern:
I’m worried about the towing fees I’m incurring while my car sits at the tow yard. The insurance adjuster is supposed to contact me on Monday, but I’ll be out of town for work from Monday morning until Thursday evening.
Is there a way for me to get my car out of the tow yard? Will my insurance handle this for me, or will they cover the towing fees? Should I reach out to AAA to see if they can help me tow it out of the yard to a location recommended by my insurance? Given that I’ll be traveling, I’m not sure how feasible this is without being there to verify my identity.
Any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
I’m sorry to hear about your accident; it sounds like a very stressful situation. Here are some steps you can take to navigate this:
Contact Your Insurance Company: Since you’ve already reported the incident, get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible. Ask them if they can assist with the towing fees and whether they can help you retrieve the car from the tow yard. Many policies cover towing fees, especially if it’s related to an accident.
Ask About Coverage for Storage Fees: Inquire if your insurance covers storage fees at the tow yard. Some policies include coverage for a certain number of days. If your car is going to be held for a while due to your travel, this is an important detail to confirm with them.
Consider Calling AAA: If your insurance doesn’t help with towing from the yard, you could reach out to AAA (if you’re a member) to see if they can tow your vehicle to another location, possibly where your insurance can assess it. However, as you mentioned, your ability to coordinate may be limited while you’re traveling.
Coordinate with the Tow Yard: Contact the tow yard directly to understand the charges associated with holding your vehicle. Explain your situation about being out of town, and see if there is a possibility of a payment plan or reduced fees due to your circumstances.
Get the Witness Involved: Since there was a witness who saw the accident, it may help to have their account on record to support your case when discussing fault and insurance. Make sure to keep their contact information handy for your insurance claim.
Document Everything: Keep a record of all communications with your insurance, the tow yard, and any other parties involved, as this will be useful if disputes arise later on.
Consider Legal Advice: If you find it challenging to handle the situation, especially regarding fault and repercussions, it might be worth consulting with a legal expert who can guide you through the process.
Be Proactive When You Return: Once you’re back from your trip, address this as quickly as possible. The sooner you deal with it, the better; tow fees can add up quickly.
Stay safe, and I hope everything gets resolved smoothly!