Why Do Police Impound Cars Following an Accident?
Why do police impound cars after accident, if the police deem a car inoperable after an accident, they will impound it, especially if the driver was too injured to move it. In addition, the police may call a tow truck on the injured party’s behalf if they cannot do it due to their injuries or another reason.
If you had to have your car impounded after an accident, you can seek compensation for the towing costs and other fees. A car accident lawyer with the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can help you with this process. Call us at (954) 633-8270 today. We offer free consultations to all potential clients.
What Happens When the Police Impound Your Car After an Accident?
Should you have been too injured to do it, or your car was inoperable police towed my car after accident, the police might call a tow truck company to impound it. If, however, you feel well enough to call them yourself, consider taking these steps:
- Take photos of your car and the scene for evidence.
- Remove your belongings from the car—you don’t know when you’ll get the chance to have this access again.
If you cannot do either of these things at the crash scene, do not stress. An insurance adjuster will inspect your car and take pictures before it goes to the repair shop. Also, you or a friend can always go to the impoundment lot to collect your stuff a few days later.
Once the tow truck arrives at the scene, ask the driver about:
- The location of where they are taking your car
- Towing and storage costs
- Documentation of the towing
Again, the police can give you this information if you’re too hurt to stay at the scene until a tow truck arrives.
Who Pays for the Towing and Storing Costs After an Accident?
In many cases, the at-fault driver and/or the insurance company can pay for car impoundment fees and related costs. At first, however, the bill will go to you, so ensure you hang onto it. That way, you can submit them to the insurer for reimbursement.
If neither party is cooperating, you may have other options. If you bought uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage, it could cover the towing costs, among other damages. Alternatively, you may file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Make sure you act quickly, though. Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a) generally sets a four-year deadline for personal injury lawsuits. The court may not accept your case if you file it past the deadline.
In the meantime, retrieve your car from the impoundment lot as soon as possible. The longer it stays there, the higher the fees will be. In addition, the tow truck company might sell your car if it’s in the lot for a certain time.
What Damages You Can Include in Your Car Accident Case Against the Other Party
In addition to the financial recovery of the storing and towing costs, you can request reimbursement for the other damages you sustained, such as:
- Medical care bills
- Loss of income, benefits
- Future loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repair or replacement bills
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
A Florida car accident lawyer on our team can review your case and determine what you can pursue and how much. You could even qualify for damages not listed here.
How a Lawyer From Our Team Can Help You After Police Impound Your Car
While you’re trying to get well, figure out how to get your car and belongings back, and return to your life, recovering compensation from the liable party can quickly prove challenging. Focus on yourself and allow one of our car accident attorneys to pursue damages on your behalf. In doing so, they can:
- Gather evidence of the crash
- Compile your towing and storing bills and other receipts
- Pick up a copy of the crash report
- Seek compensation from the liable insurance company via settlement negotiations
- Deal with all communications between the other party, the insurance companies, and other legal teams
- Represent you at trial
Don’t hesitate to enlist our help due to financial reasons. At the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning our payment is contingent on your case’s success. There’s no need to pay us upfront or by the hour for our services, as we only collect our fee if we recover your damages.
Our Team Can Help You If Police Impounded Your Car After an Accident
If you were in an accident and the police impounded your vehicle, contact us for an attorney’s help to retrieve it and go after compensation for the costs and other damages. Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today at (954) 633-8270. Your first call is free.
