Car Accident – Seeking Advice
I was involved in a car accident last night around 9 PM and could really use some advice on how to manage potential out-of-pocket expenses and what my next steps should be.
The Situation:
At a T intersection, I had a stop sign, and there was a car with its hazard lights on (likely a DoorDash or similar vehicle) that was positioned right next to the stop sign, obstructing my view of oncoming traffic from the right. I inched forward and proceeded slowly, only to be hit by an oncoming car that had the right of way. My front bumper is damaged and hanging off, while the other vehicle suffered damage to the driver’s side doors. Thankfully, everyone involved is okay, with no injuries reported. The car with the hazards left the scene quickly, and no one seemed to notice. Luckily, there was a witness who saw the whole thing and provided their contact information.
Since my car was undrivable, tow trucks arrived on the scene. This is my first accident, and honestly, I was pretty shaken and unsure of what to do. The tow truck operators assured me that my insurance would cover their fees, and I allowed them to tow my car to their yard. In hindsight, I realize I should have called AAA instead, but it all happened so fast.
I reported the incident to my insurance as soon as I got home that night and shared all the details. I’m not sure who’s at fault, but I suspect it may fall on me.
The Problem:
I’m worried about the fees associated with my car being at the tow yard. An adjuster from my insurance will reach out to me on Monday, but I’ll be traveling for work from Monday morning until Thursday evening.
Is there a way for me to retrieve my car from the tow yard? Will my insurance cover the towing fees? Should I call AAA to see if they can tow it to a location recommended by my insurance, even if I can’t be there in person to verify my identity?
I would really appreciate any advice you can offer! Thank you!
I’m sorry to hear about your accident; that sounds really stressful. Here are some steps you can take to mitigate your out-of-pocket costs and navigate the situation:
Contact Your Insurance ASAP: Since you’ve reported the accident already, reach out to your insurance company again to explain your concerns about the tow fees. Ask if they will cover the towing costs and what steps you need to take to get your car out of the tow yard.
Check Your Policy: Review your insurance policy to see what it says about towing and storage fees. Some policies have provisions for covering these costs, especially if you’re in an accident.
Inquire About Getting Your Car Released: Ask your insurance if they can arrange for the release of your vehicle. They might have provisions for handling this situation, especially if they need to inspect the vehicle.
Communication with Tow Yard: Contact the tow yard directly to understand their fees and policies. Explain your situation about being unavailable for a few days and see if there’s any way they can hold your vehicle without piling on excessive fees for storage.
Consider Using AAA: If your insurance won’t cover the tow fees or if you’re not satisfied with their response, reach out to AAA to see if they can assist. They might be able to tow your car to a location you prefer, but be clear with them about needing to coordinate since you won’t be there.
Documentation: Make sure to document everything—take pictures of the damages, and keep notes of conversations with insurance and the tow yard, including names, times, and what was discussed.
Witness Statement: Since you have a witness, it could be beneficial to get their statement on paper, as it may support your position regarding fault.
Follow Up with the Adjuster: As soon as you’re back from your trip, follow up with the claims adjuster and ensure they have all the details needed to assess the situation.
Evaluate Liability: It’s worth noting that while the initial assumption may be that you are at fault, the circumstances regarding the stopped car with hazards could play a part in determining liability, so don’t hesitate to discuss this with your adjuster.
Stay Calm and Organized: This is a stressful situation, but staying organized and calm will help you make clearer decisions.
Wishing you the best of luck getting everything sorted out!