‘Know Your Rights’: Cop Calls A Tow Truck After An Accident. Then The Tow Truck Takes The Car Somewhere Unexpected

A personal injury attorney and former insurance company attorney is sharing the one thing he says drivers should know before letting their vehicle get towed after a crash.

Todd Miner (@toddminerlaw) offered his advice in a recent TikTok, warning drivers about what can happen after an accident if the investigating officer calls for a tow.

According to Miner, many towing companies have “got one goal in mind.”

“That’s to take your vehicle to their storage lot,” Miner says.

And once it gets there, he says, storage fees can add up quickly.

But Miner says what many drivers don’t realize is that, in most states, they can ask for their vehicle to be taken somewhere else instead.

“Your home. Your dealership. Your body shop. Almost anywhere you choose,” Miner claims. “Know your rights before you need them.”

He encouraged drivers who want similar tips to follow his account.

As of this writing, his video has garnered more than 18,000 views.

Who Picks Where Your Car Gets Towed?

Lawyers agree: Drivers have a say in where their car is taken after an accident, but if you don’t specify where you want it taken, it may end up in an impound lot.

If someone can make decisions after a wreck, they can typically tell the tow truck operator where they want the vehicle taken—whether that is a repair shop, dealership, their house, or another location. That is the point Miner was making in his video.

But crashes are not always that straightforward.

If a driver is injured or cannot tell authorities for whatever reason where they want the car to be towed, police may request a tow to move the vehicle. The same can happen if a damaged car blocks traffic or poses a safety issue.

In those cases, vehicles are often taken to a nearby storage facility or tow yard until the owner or insurance company decides what happens next.

That is where costs can start adding up depending on your insurance coverage. Tow yards typically charge storage fees, meaning the longer a vehicle sits there, the more expensive it can become.

Still, as some tow truck drivers alluded to in the comments, sending a car directly home is not always the best option either. If the vehicle is badly damaged or needs to be inspected by an insurance company, drivers may need to consider where the car can safely and practically be stored.

Who ultimately pays for the tow depends on the situation. Insurance may cover the cost depending on the driver’s policy and whether towing or collision coverage applies. That is why drivers are generally encouraged to ask questions before a vehicle is removed if they are physically able to do so.

Tow Truck Drivers Push Back

Commenters who watched Miner’s video were split on his advice, with some tow truck drivers saying there is a reason vehicles are often taken to storage lots after crashes.

“As someone who’s been driving tow trucks for 30 years, the reason we usually just take it back to our shop is because most people have no clue where they want to take it,” one person shared. “As a tow truck driver, we can take it anywhere. You want to take it as long as you pay us to do so. The reason we go back to the shot is because at that point you can let your insurance deal with the problem.”

Miner pushed back, asking what would happen if insurance didn’t cover it.

“What if the at-fault party is uninsured and the owner of the vehicle doesn’t have towing coverage?” he replied. “Who pays? The owner of the car pays.”

Another tow operator argued that sending a damaged car to a yard can sometimes make the insurance process easier.

“Go for it, but 9/10 times if the car is total or even questionable [it’s] easier to take it to the yard bc insurance is required to pay the bill,” they said.

Others sided with Miner and shared their own frustrating experiences after accidents.

“Towing companies have become vultures!” one commenter wrote. “People don’t pay rent as high as wrecker lot fees.”

“Good for you for standing your ground!” Miner responded.

At least one viewer said knowing what to do after a crash is easier said than done.

---

---

“When I was hit, I didn’t have the right mind to tell the tow driver where to take my car because I was in so much pain and was taken to the ER via the ambulance,” they shared.

Motor1 has reached out to Miner via direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this story if he replies.

 

 

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team