Tow Truck Equipment

Even the most minor of traffic accidents can be traumatic. It's a true shock to the system, even when the damage to your vehicle is barely noticeable and when you and anyone else involved has escaped without injury. And yet the whole experience can still be overwhelming, especially when it comes to what to do with your vehicle.

Contacting the Authorities

Whether or not the matter needs to be reported to the police will vary depending on which state or territory the accident occurred in. There are a number of contributing factors, such as the severity of the accident (determined by the level of injury and damage to property). Police might also need to be notified if the other driver leaves the scene of the accident, or if they seem to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. By all means, call the police and give them the details of the accident. They will advise you if an officer needs to attend.

Calling Your Insurance Provider

Call your insurance provider and ask them what their process is for the immediate aftermath of an accident. They might take over from this point, arranging towing services to an approved mechanic. It can be beneficial to take a few photographs of any damage to your vehicle to assist with lodging your claim.

Making Your Own Arrangements

Perhaps you don't plan to lodge a claim. In this instance, you will need to make your own arrangements. Only you and the police have the ability to authorise the removal of your vehicle, and the police are only likely to do so if the vehicle is blocking traffic and you have been removed from the scene for medical treatment. So, the responsibility is yours in the majority of instances. If the police have in fact arranged towing, your vehicle will generally be taken to a holding facility until you decide what to do with it.

Having Your Vehicle Towed

You can call a towing service for the vehicle to be taken to your chosen mechanic. Any towing services who might appear on the scene of the accident without being summoned could offer to take your vehicle to a specific mechanic with whom they have a business arrangement. There is nothing untoward about this, and it can be a viable option when you don't have a preferred mechanic of your own. In any event, a towing company cannot touch your vehicle until you sign the necessary authorisation form, which should only be done when the vehicle's end destination has been determined.

So while any type of traffic accident can be an unsettling experience, it's important to know what should happen to your vehicle afterwards.