Towing Other Weight: A Towing Blog

It can be extremely distressing to be involved in a car accident, even if it's not particularly serious. If your car is no longer operational or is simply no longer safe to drive, you will need to make the necessary arrangements. But is moving your damaged vehicle from the scene of an accident really so straightforward?

On the Street

If the vehicle can safely be pushed onto to the side of the street (and into a parking position), then you can certainly do this. This allows you some time to assess the damage, contact your insurance company, and decide upon the best course of action for getting your vehicle repaired. You will need to pay attention to any parking restrictions in the area to ensure that your vehicle can be left there. You also need to be mindful of any parking fees that might be applicable. If your vehicle cannot safely be pushed into an appropriate position, then it will need to be towed.

Having Your Car Towed

You simply contact a towing company of your choosing and the car will be towed. The issue is really deciding on the best place for the car to be towed to. The car cannot be towed until you have signed the necessary forms to grant authority. If you are not able to sign the authority forms for whatever reason, a police officer can do so on your behalf. In this instance, the vehicle will be stored at police facilities or at the towing company's facilities. But where else can it go?

Predetermined Mechanic

A towing company might have received notification of the accident and might show up of their own accord. While they will be qualified to remove your vehicle, you need to check if there is a predetermined destination. They might only wish to tow the vehicle to a mechanic of their choosing, and this might be a mechanic they already have a reciprocal business arrangement with. There is nothing necessarily wrong with this approach, and yet you might wish to choose your own mechanic.

Choosing Your Mechanic

The towing company should also be able to transport your vehicle to your own mechanic, if you should happen to have one. If you don't have your own regular mechanic, you might wish to ask the towing company if they know of any appropriate mechanics close to your home or workplace (which makes collecting your car infinitely easier).

Storing the Vehicle

If you simply cannot decide upon a mechanic, or if you need to delay repairs, then the vehicle can be stored. You might need to slightly delay having the car repaired until you receive notification from your insurance company. Your car can be stored at the towing company's facilities, although there will be an additional charge for this.

Taking the Vehicle Home

The towing company can also simply bring your car back to your home. Like parking it on the street, this option allows you some time to assess the damage, contact your insurance company, and decide upon the best course of action. But remember that you will need to pay to have the car towed again when you decide what to do next.

So while towing the car to be immediately repaired is generally the best option, it's important to remember that this is not the only option.