Nobody thinks about tow trucks until their car is smoking on the side of the highway and they’re standing there in shock.
Here’s what most people won’t tell you about accident towing in NJ: it’s weirdly confusing at the worst possible time. You’re shaken up, maybe hurt, definitely stressed, and suddenly you need to make decisions about towing companies, storage yards, and repair shops.
And if you make the wrong call? You could end up paying hundreds in unnecessary fees or dealing with sketchy operators who see your bad day as their payday.
Who Calls the Tow Truck?
After an accident, several parties might call for a tow truck in NJ. If police respond to the scene, they often handle towing arrangements. In many jurisdictions, police have agreements with specific towing companies for accident recovery.
When police call a tow truck, you typically don’t get to choose the company. The responding officer contacts the next company in their rotation, and that company tows your vehicle. While this removes choice, it also removes the burden of finding a reputable company during a stressful situation.
If police don’t respond, which is common in minor accidents with no injuries, you can call your own towing service. This gives you control over who handles your vehicle and where it’s taken. Having a trusted towing company’s number saved in your phone before an accident happens is always a good idea.
Where Will Your Vehicle Be Towed?
Your vehicle’s destination depends on who arranges the tow and the circumstances of the accident. If police dispatch the tow truck, your vehicle typically goes to a towing company’s storage facility or impound lot. These facilities are secure but charge daily storage fees that begin immediately and can add up quickly.
When you arrange towing yourself, you can choose the destination. Options include your home, a repair shop you trust, the body shop your insurance company recommends, or even a dealership if your vehicle is under warranty.
Understand Your Rights During Accident Towing
You have specific rights during towing that protect you from unfair practices. First, you have the right to choose where your vehicle is repaired. Towing companies and insurance adjusters might pressure you toward particular shops, but the decision is ultimately yours. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
You’re entitled to remove personal belongings from your vehicle before or immediately after towing. Towing companies cannot hold your possessions hostage or charge fees to access your vehicle for personal items. Valuables, important documents, medications, child car seats, and other personal items should be removed as soon as safely possible.
Towing Costs and Who Pays
Towing costs after accidents typically range from $75 to $200 for a standard tow. Storage fees, as mentioned, add to the total cost daily.
Who pays for accident towing depends on fault, insurance coverage, and circumstances. If you’re at fault, your insurance might cover towing through collision coverage or roadside assistance. If you’re not at fault, the other driver’s insurance should cover towing costs along with other accident-related expenses.
When police order towing to clear a roadway, you’re initially responsible for costs regardless of fault. You can later recover these expenses from the at-fault party’s insurance, but you’ll need to pay or arrange payment to retrieve your vehicle from storage. This is why minimizing storage time is important; the longer you wait, the more you owe.
How to Choose a Towing Company When You Have Control
When you can choose your own towing in NJ service, several factors should guide your decision.
First is response time. You don’t want to wait hours on the roadside after an accident. Next, equipment. Flatbed tow trucks are preferable for accident towing because they don’t add stress to damaged suspension or drivetrain components. Wheel-lift and hook-and-chain methods are cheaper but can cause additional damage to already-compromised vehicles.
Licensing and insurance protect you if something goes wrong during towing. Legitimate towing companies carry liability insurance that covers damage during transport and recovery. Ask about insurance coverage and don’t hesitate to verify credentials, especially when choosing a company on the spot.
Clear pricing is just as important. A good towing company must provide upfront cost estimates before beginning work. Be wary of companies that won’t discuss pricing or seem evasive about fees.
Also Read: How to Find the Best Towing Service Near Me?
Quality Towing for Accidents
Understanding accident towing reduces stress during already difficult situations. Knowing your rights, what to expect, and how to protect your interests helps you navigate the towing process confidently. While you can’t prevent accidents, you can control how you handle the aftermath.
Quality 1st Towing provides professional, reliable towing in NJ with a focus on customer care during stressful situations.
When you need a tow truck in NJ after an accident, we respond quickly with the right equipment and expertise to handle your situation professionally. Dial us up when you’re met with an unfortunate incident and let us handle it from there.
