Why you should not try to drive after a collision
The instinct after an accident is often to move the car out of the way as quickly as possible. Resist this instinct if there is any significant damage.
Collision damage frequently affects vehicle systems in ways that are not immediately visible. Steering components can be bent or cracked without appearing obviously broken. Wheel alignment can be severely off from a relatively minor impact. Frame damage can compromise structural integrity in ways that become catastrophic at highway speeds.
Driving a damaged vehicle even short distances can cause additional damage that complicates your insurance claim. It can also cause a secondary accident if steering or braking is compromised.
If the car will not move at all — wheels locked, transmission damage, severe frame intrusion — the decision is made for you. If the car can move but has significant damage, err on the side of towing rather than driving.
Assessing whether the car is drivable
Some post-accident vehicles can be safely driven short distances to a safer location or nearby shop. Here is how to assess.
Signs the car is not drivable: airbags deployed (indicates significant impact force), fluid leaking from under the vehicle (oil, coolant, transmission fluid), smoke or burning smell, visible wheel or tire damage, steering feels different than normal, any grinding or unusual sounds when attempting to move the vehicle, hood damage that could come open while driving, or any damage that obstructs visibility.
Signs the car may be drivable for a short distance: cosmetic damage only (dents, scratches, broken lights with no structural damage), all fluids appear normal, steering and braking feel normal, no warning lights illuminated.
When in doubt, do not drive it. The cost of a tow is far less than the cost of additional damage or a secondary accident.
Your immediate steps when the car wont drive
Once you determine the car cannot or should not be driven, work through these steps.
Ensure your safety first. Get yourself and any passengers away from traffic. Turn on hazard lights. Set out road flares or triangles if you have them and it is safe to do so.
Call 911 if there are injuries or if the vehicle is blocking traffic in a dangerous way. File a police report even for accidents without injuries — the report is valuable for insurance claims.
Document everything before any vehicles are moved. Photograph all damage, vehicle positions, road conditions, and any relevant context. This documentation supports your insurance claim.
Call your insurance company. Report the accident and ask about preferred towing providers and approved body shops. Your insurer can often dispatch a tow directly and coordinate the claims process from the accident scene.
Getting the car towed from the accident scene
A non-drivable accident vehicle almost always requires flatbed towing. Wheel-lift towing a damaged vehicle can cause additional damage and should be avoided. See what to know about towing a damaged car to a shop.
If police have called a rotation tow truck, you are not required to use it. You can ask them to stand by while you call your insurance company or a preferred provider. In most jurisdictions, you have the right to choose your own tow company.
Before the tow truck leaves, confirm the destination address and get a written receipt showing the tow company name, your vehicle, the origin, destination, distance, and total cost. Photograph the tow truck and driver information.
Do not leave personal belongings in the vehicle if it is going to a tow yard. Retrieve important documents (registration, insurance card), any valuables, and personal items before the car is towed.
What happens after the tow
Once the vehicle is at a body shop or storage facility, the repair and claims process begins.
At a body shop: The shop will perform a damage assessment and provide a written estimate to your insurance company. The claims adjuster will review the estimate and either approve it, negotiate adjustments, or send their own appraiser. This process typically takes 3-7 business days.
At a storage facility: Contact your insurance company immediately to schedule an adjuster inspection and get authorization to move the vehicle to a repair facility. Storage fees accumulate daily — $25-75 per day is typical. Move the vehicle to a body shop as soon as the insurance company authorizes it.
Total loss determination: If repair costs exceed a threshold of the vehicle actual cash value (typically 70-80% depending on state), the insurer may declare the vehicle a total loss. In this case, you receive a settlement check rather than having the vehicle repaired. See what happens after a vehicle is declared a total loss. See how insurance covers towing after an accident.