After experiencing a car accident, you can feel shaken up and confused. You are still trying to figure out what happened but you also need to think straight. The pressure of traffic building up behind you can sometimes lead you to wish that a tow truck would magically arrive to aid you.
Towing After An Accident
It may seem like a tow truck arriving at the scene pure luck and you may be tempted to get their offer but it is best not to. They may not be your best choice. Instead, you should do the following:
- Call your insurance provider – Before anything else, the first thing you should do is to call your insurer. Some insurance providers won’t honor the towing service you get out of some random towing company. Calling them up will help you know what they can do in such situations. They may arrange for someone to tow your vehicle and tell you what to expect from them.
- Know if you’re covered – The towing service varies in price and some insurance providers cover them while some do not. It is best to check and review if your insurance plan covers this or not.
- Don’t sign incomplete documentation – If the towing company is already at the scene, you should never sign a blank or incomplete form. It should always be complete and make sure you take note of the address where the car is going to be towed. Also, take note of the towing fee that’s written in the form.
- Don’t ignore the fine print – Before signing anything, always read everything. Even the terms and conditions must be carefully read. Some unruly towing companies can hide clauses here that they can use in case a problem develops. If it looks suspicious, then don’t sign it.
- Choose where your car should be towed – Remember that you have the authority to decide where your car should be towed to. Don’t let them decide for you or else you might not be able to get your car unless you pay expensive fees.
Avoiding Carnapping
After an accident, it is normal for drivers to feel confused and some towing companies take advantage of this. They let the drivers sign dodgy documentation because they think that drivers won’t bother reading them because they are too frazzled by the moment. In the towing industry, this is also known as ‘carnapping’.
The documentation will indicate that you are giving them permission to tow the vehicle but it can also include other terms like requiring you to use their selected repair shop, which charges you a hefty fee due repairs and storage.
Level-Up Carnapping
Aside from the one mentioned above, there are also some towing companies that let drivers sign documents that give permission to dodgy and scammer lawyers to decide or act on behalf of the drivers. The lawyers will then file a suit due to inflated repair fees without the knowledge of the drivers. They’ll only know about the case when they are summoned to court.
Reputable Towing Companies
Contact with reputable towing companies is very important. You should be ready with this so that when the situation comes when you need them you’ll be ready. You won’t have to agree to any stranger who offers you towing services because you know you have someone you can count on.
It’s always best not to sign anything unless you have completely read and understood the terms. Also, you shouldn’t trust anyone who comes into the scene even if you didn’t call them. It may seem a miracle or pure luck at first but you’ll soon find out that they bring a nightmare.
Although no one wants an accident, there are certain dangerous driving conditions that increase the risk of having one. Know these conditions and prepare well for them so that you lessen the risk and improve your safety as well as the others on the road.
