If you have been hit by another vehicle and the impact has rendered your vehicle non-drivable, you need to get it towed from the accident scene, but to where? Essentially, your options are to have it towed to a repair shop, the tow yard, or to your home. It is important to know the pros and cons of each and how they relate to a personal injury claim. It is also crucial to contact a knowledgeable Maryland car accident attorney right away to help ensure that your car gets repaired quickly and that your rights are protected for an injury claim against the party who was at fault for the collision.

Mitigating Damages

Even if you were not at fault, the law still requires you to “mitigate your damages.” This term means that you must take reasonable steps to minimize the financial loss and consequences. This extends to your injuries and the damage to the vehicle. Racking up a hefty storage fee for the vehicle while it is waiting to be repaired is not mitigating your damages. If you took your vehicle to a storage yard that charges $50 a day in fees and there was another lot two doors down that only charged $30, a jury might find that you did not do your due diligence and a reasonable person would have investigated both lots to determine which one was cheaper.

Having Your Car Towed to a Storage Yard or Repair Shop

Unless you are friends with the repair shop owner, you are likely to incur storage fees at either a tow yard or a repair shop. Some of the fees can add up quickly, especially if your car is totaled rather than just damaged. If you do not have another option besides having it towed to a storage yard, such as if it happened late at night or in a remote area, then you need to look to have it moved as soon as possible. Make a claim with your insurance company immediately and let them know where the vehicle is so they can decide what they want to do. In many cases, they may be able to have the vehicle moved to a yard where storage fees are less, or even to their own yard.

Having Your Vehicle Towed to Home

Having your vehicle towed to your home can be the best option, but if you do not have room to leave it parked off the street, you might wind up getting one or more parking tickets on the street. If you live in a master planned community with strict HOA rules on vehicles in the street or inoperable vehicles in your driveway, it may not be feasible to have the vehicle towed to your home.

Retaining a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney

If you have been in an injury collision that was not your fault, retaining a skilled Charles County personal injury attorney right away can help ensure the liability investigation does not drag on with the insurance company delaying resolution of your claim. Contact the Law Office of Robert R. Castro today to schedule a consultation.