Columbus Accident Towing After a Crash or Collision

It depends on the distance to the scene, the miles to the destination, the hour, and how much cleanup or recovery is needed. A car in a ditch takes more work than one sitting on a shoulder. The dispatcher gives you a full quote before a truck goes out; the rates page shows how each charge is figured.

Yes, when you are the one calling for the tow. You can send it to any body shop, a dealership, your home or our yard. If police have already ordered a rotation tow because the road had to be cleared, the car goes to that company first and you can move it from there later.

Many auto policies include towing after an accident, especially with collision coverage, and some plans reimburse you after you submit the receipt. Call your insurer or check your policy's roadside or towing benefit, and we will give you an itemized bill for the claim.

Yes. The driver sweeps up broken glass and loose plastic from the roadway and puts large pieces from your car on the deck with it. Spilled fluids are absorbed with a dry absorbent when the spill is small. Big fuel or chemical spills are handled by the fire department.

It stays in our southwest-side yard off US-62 until the shop opens and has room, then we bring it over. Ask the dispatcher whether storage charges apply for the number of days you expect, so you know the cost before you decide where the car should wait.

Yes. If your car is at our yard, call ahead and set a time to come by and collect personal items like a car seat, a laptop bag or work tools. Bring an ID so the staff can confirm the car is yours.

No. We can tow the car as soon as police release it from the scene. You will want the report number for your insurance claim, so ask the officer for it. Full reports can usually be requested from the Columbus Division of Police or the agency that responded.

Yes. A car with deployed airbags is loaded on the flatbed the same way as any other damaged vehicle. It shouldn't be driven, because the airbag system needs to be inspected and reset and there is often hidden structural damage behind the visible dents.

Our own trucks carry cars, SUVs, minivans and light pickups. When a crash involves a box truck, a bus or a semi, we arrange the recovery through a partner heavy-wrecker company. The dispatcher tells you which company is coming. See heavy-duty towing for more detail.

That depends on where the crash happened, how many trucks are already out and what traffic looks like. Crashes themselves slow freeway traffic, which affects arrival too. The dispatcher looks at where the closest driver is right now and passes along an honest arrival estimate while you are still on the phone.

If the insurer declares the car a total loss, they usually arrange to move it to a salvage auction. Until then it can stay at our yard or the shop. If you are keeping the salvage yourself, the flatbed can take it to your garage or to whoever is buying it; our junk car removal page explains that route.

Yes, if they ask us to and we have a truck free. Each car needs its own flatbed, so the dispatcher may send a second truck. The other driver arranges and pays for their own tow unless an insurer has agreed otherwise.

Yes. Crashes don't wait for office hours, and our dispatch is open every day of the year. Holiday and late-night calls may cost more, but any extra charge is part of the quote you agree to before the truck heads your way.