What to do about a tow after a car accident in the Inland Empire
Get everyone safe first and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Exchange information and take photos. If police are on scene and order the car removed, they call the tow company on their rotation list. If the officer lets you arrange your own tow, or no police respond, you choose the tow company and where the car goes: your body shop, your home, or the dealer.
Right after the crash
- Check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the cars are blocking traffic in a dangerous spot.
- If the cars can move and no one is hurt, move out of the travel lanes, turn on your hazards, and stay clear of traffic.
- Exchange names, phone numbers, driver license numbers, insurance, and plates with the other driver.
- Take photos of both cars, the plates, the scene, and any damage, before anything is moved if it is safe to do so.
- Call your insurance company. Many policies include towing, so ask before you pay out of pocket.
Who picks the tow company?
If police order the tow, for example because the car is blocking the road or the driver cannot make the decision, the tow goes to the company on that agency's rotation list. You do not get to pick.
If you are free to arrange your own tow, you can call any company you like. Call (951) 277-6778 and tell dispatch where you are, what you drive, and where you want it taken. Tell us if the car is AWD or lowered, or if a wheel is damaged, because those need a flatbed.
Where should the car go?
Your choices are usually your body shop, your home, or the dealer. Ask your insurer whether they want the car at a specific shop, so it does not have to be towed twice. If you are not sure yet, a tow to your home buys you time to decide.
Report it to the DMV if required
In California you must report a crash to the DMV within 10 days on form SR-1 if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage was over $1,000. That is separate from any police report.
Common questions
Can I choose my own tow company after an accident?
Yes, if police have not ordered the tow. When an officer orders the vehicle removed, the agency calls the company on its rotation list. Otherwise the choice of tow company and destination is yours.
Will my insurance pay for the tow after an accident?
Many auto policies include towing after a covered accident, but coverage varies. Call your insurer before you pay, and keep the tow receipt either way.
Do I have to report a car accident to the DMV in California?
Yes, within 10 days on form SR-1 if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage was over $1,000.
Does Towrunner do accident recovery?
Yes. Accident recovery and vehicle removal are part of our services in Riverside and the Inland Empire, and we coordinate with law enforcement and insurance companies. Call (951) 277-6778.
Need a tow after a crash?
A dispatcher answers and quotes it on the phone before a truck rolls.
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