Tow Truck Service Near Me

When you're involved in an accident, depending on the extent of the damage, you may find yourself in need of a tow to the repair shop. Nobody ever expects to get in an accident. But here you are, with what will likely amount to a totaled vehicle, possible injuries, and a lot of aggravation ahead.
 
We understand that you want to get your life back on track as soon as possible and may not even consider the value a car accident lawyer can offer. At Morgan and Morgan, we've been handling car accident cases for more than thirty years and have expertly staffed offices across the nation. Before you conclude that you can handle things on your own, take a look at the following guidelines and information and consider how much value our legal representation can offer.

After an Accident, Do This Before the Tow Truck Arrives

Document the scene - Take pictures of the scene of the accident with your phone, including the position of both cars if they haven't been moved already. Include the surrounding environment, such as the intersection, traffic signs, and traffic conditions. Take extensive pictures of the damage to your vehicle and any others involved, and document any injuries you sustained. This evidence can authenticate your version of the accident in an insurance dispute or a lawsuit.
 
Collect the insurance and contact information from the other party(s) - Be sure to get insurance and contact details from everyone involved. Take a picture of the insurance cards and license plate numbers.
 
Gather witness information and statements - Try to get the contact details of any eyewitnesses that saw the accident or aftermath. If possible, take a video recording of their statement while it's fresh in their memory.
 
Remove valuables and anything of importance from your vehicle - You may not have access to your vehicle for some time, so it's important to take anything of value or significance while you can. Still, even if your vehicle is totaled, you'll probably have an opportunity to collect whatever is left behind before it's sold for salvage.
 
Find an auto body shop that can accept your vehicle - You may already have a relationship with an auto body repair shop. If not, we have great relationships with professional auto body shops we can recommend. Your insurance company will likely have recommendations for authorized repair shops as well.
 
Contact your insurance provider - You'll need to contact your insurance provider concerning the accident at some point anyway. However, they may offer towing services in certain circumstances, so it makes sense to check before paying out of pocket. You may not have a choice as to who tows your vehicle, depending on whether the police issue a tow truck or your insurance does. If your car is causing a traffic jam, the police may beat you to it.
 
Communicate with the tow truck driver - When you're in a car accident, the aftermath can be chaotic, so it may be challenging to think of everything. For example, you should find out how much the tow fee is and the storage fees if you haven't found an auto body shop yet. Some tow companies run scams and claim to be affiliated with insurance companies, and then later hold your vehicle for ransom and charge outrageous fees. If a tow truck shows up and you or the police haven't called them, they're probably up to no good. Get confirmation and a receipt that shows the fee before handing over the keys.

Unfortunately, only a handful of states have laws concerning how much a tow company can charge, and even those that do may have language that specifies they must charge a "reasonable rate," leaving you open to excessive charges. Ideally, it would be best if you talked to Morgan and Morgan or your insurance company to get a good referral.

Where Do Towing Companies Take Vehicles After an Accident?

This is another area where there may be state or city laws that govern where a towing company can take your vehicle after an accident. If you have an auto body repair shop in mind, have them deliver it there. If not, generally, your vehicle will be taken to the nearest storage lot. Be wary of any towing company that only accepts cash, has odd hours of operation, or demands money to remove personal effects or to examine your car at the storage lot. They may be violating laws. If you've been seriously injured in a car accident and are incapacitated, the police may choose the location where your vehicle is towed.

Do Insurance Policies Cover Towing and Storage Fees? 

You may have coverage for towing and storage following an accident. It all depends on your policy. However, if the other driver was responsible for the accident, then their insurance may cover your expenses. Still, this will depend on whether you live in a "no-fault insurance law" state or not. The expenses may be your responsibility if you are in a no-fault state.
 
Even so, be sure to retrieve your vehicle from storage as soon as you're able. You don't want to pay storage fees any longer than you must. Even if you have insurance coverage, they'll only cover the cost for what they deem a "reasonable" amount of time. Make sure you understand how much time you have to retrieve your car. In some instances, if a car is left for too long, it might get auctioned off.

What Do I Do for Transportation After a Car Accident?

Suppose your car is undrivable or needs repair work after an accident. In that case, your insurance or the other driver's insurance should help. You may be able to get a rental car until your car is repaired or the insurance claim is resolved. Be sure to retain any receipts for transportation costs, whether it be an Uber home or to the hospital, or a rental car. You should get reimbursed through insurance. Be sure to understand how long insurance will pay for a rental, though. There is likely a maximum number of days available. The insurance policy will also dictate the type of vehicle you can rent. For example, suppose you have a vehicle that's big enough for the whole family. In that case, you should be able to rent something similar. Be aware that there will be a maximum daily rate acceptable, too. Anything beyond that will be your responsibility to pay. 

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?

Using the right car accident lawyer can make a tremendous difference. At Morgan and Morgan, we understand how stressful and frustrating it can be to fight for compensation after a car accident, especially when it wasn't your fault. We can help with everything from recommending a reputable tow truck service to negotiating a favorable insurance claim. Here are some of the issues our car accident lawyers will deal with so you won’t have to.
 
Communicating with the at-fault driver's insurance carrier - Initiating communication with the other driver's insurance carrier is a fundamental part of any personal injury case. Creating a good relationship with an insurance adjuster is crucial since they are the one that decides how much to pay.
 
Gathering evidence of liability - Establishing liability is another crucial aspect of a successful claim. Providing proof of negligence on the other party's behalf means they are liable to pay for the damages they caused. Frequently, a police report will show if the other party did something wrong, like failing to yield, running a red light, or speeding. If the police report doesn't offer evidence, we may investigate the scene, talk to the police, and interview witnesses to help determine liability.
 
Obtaining evidence of your damages - If you were injured in the accident, your car accident lawyer would work with your healthcare provider to gather evidence pertaining to your injuries. This means obtaining medical records and bills. While that may sound easy, getting your hands on complete medical records can be challenging, especially when pressed for time. We may also need to get your doctor to adjust the details to reflect the cause and extent of your injuries. That way, it will be crystal clear to the other party's insurance adjuster.
 
Negotiating with health care providers - If you received medical care following the accident, your insurer would have a lien on your claim for reimbursement once it's settled. Liens of this nature mean the lien holder gets paid from the proceeds before you do. Your Morgan and Morgan car accident lawyer will work to negotiate this figure down so you get the maximum amount of money from your settlement or lawsuit.
 
Negotiating with insurance companies - A skilled lawyer is an expert at negotiations. We try to identify and put a price tag on every expense and loss you incurred from the accident. Then we clearly lay this out to the other party to persuade them to offer the best settlement possible.
 
Represent you in court - When we see an offer that isn't fair, and the other side isn't budging, the solution is to take it to trial. It's critical to work with a lawyer that is ready and capable of representing you in court if that's the only way to get fair compensation. While it's true that most claims are settled out of court, we've had instances where an insurance company took a stance of not paying what the claim was really worth. When this happens, we don't hesitate to fight in court because we've learned that juries see unjust treatment very unfavorably. Many times, our clients have been awarded far more than what was initially offered, especially in cases where injuries are severe.  
 
When you've been in an accident, you deserve to get compensated for your property damage, losses, and any injuries you've suffered. We know how frustrating it is to have your life interrupted by a car accident, especially when it wasn't your fault. We can help hold the other party accountable, lower your stress level, and help achieve a favorable financial outcome for your claim.
 
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You don't pay a thing if we don't win.