What to Do When Your Car Is Towed After an Accident
Your car can be towed immediately after an accident, even if you caused it
When a car is involved in an accident, police or a wrecker service can tow it from the scene without your permission. This happens whether the accident was your fault or someone else's. The tow happens under South Carolina's abandoned vehicle law, which treats any vehicle left at an accident scene as a potential hazard to traffic.
The tow company will take your car to an impound lot, usually one contracted by local police or the county. You will have to pay towing fees, storage fees, and sometimes a release fee before you can get your car back. These fees start immediately and grow each day the car sits.
The first step is finding out where your car went. Call the police non-emergency line for the city or county where the accident happened and give them the accident report number. They will tell you which tow company has the vehicle and where the impound lot is located.
Key Takeaways
- Police will tell you which tow company has your car if you call the non-emergency line with your accident report number.
- Towing fees in South Carolina range widely by company and location, and storage fees begin the day the car arrives at the lot.
- You must pay all towing and storage fees before the lot will release your car, even if the accident was not your fault.
- If someone else caused the accident, you may be able to recover towing costs through their insurance claim, but you will have to pay upfront first.
- Some impound lots accept payment plans or hold cars for a limited time before selling them, so contact the lot immediately to understand your options.
How to locate your towed vehicle
The police report from the accident scene will list the tow company's name, but calling the police directly is faster. Contact the non-emergency dispatch line for the jurisdiction where the accident occurred—not the emergency 911 line. Have your driver's license number and the accident date ready. The dispatcher will confirm which company towed your car and give you the impound lot's phone number and address.
If you were not at the scene when the tow happened, you can still find your car this way. The police report is public record, and you can request a copy from the police department's records division if you need documentation for insurance purposes.
What towing and storage fees cost
Towing fees in South Carolina vary by distance and the tow company contracted by police. A typical tow ranges from $150 to $400 depending on how far the car traveled and road conditions. The impound lot then charges a daily storage fee, usually between $20 and $50 per day, though some lots charge more.
These fees begin the day your car arrives, not the day you retrieve it. A car sitting for a week can accumulate $140 to $350 in storage alone, on top of the initial tow. Some lots also charge a release fee—typically $50 to $100—just to process your paperwork and open the gate.
Call the impound lot directly and ask for an exact total before you go. Ask whether they accept cash, card, or check, and whether they offer payment plans. Some lots will hold a car for 30 days before selling it at auction, which gives you time to arrange payment, but do not count on this—contact them immediately.
Paying to get your car back
You must pay the full amount owed before the lot will release your car. Bring a valid ID and proof of ownership—your registration or title. If someone else owns the car, they will need to authorize the release in writing, or the lot may require them to be present.
After you pay, the lot will return your keys and let you drive the car away. Ask for a receipt showing what you paid and what each fee covered. Keep this receipt for your insurance claim or if you pursue the other driver's insurance later.
If your car was damaged in the accident and cannot be driven safely, ask the lot whether they can arrange a tow to a repair shop. Some will do this for an additional fee; others will not. You may need to hire a separate tow truck to move the car from the impound to a mechanic.
Recovering towing costs from the other driver's insurance
If the other driver caused the accident, their insurance may cover your towing and storage fees as part of your damage claim. However, you will have to pay the impound lot upfront—the insurance company will not pay them directly unless you have already settled the claim.
When you file a claim with the other driver's insurance, include the impound lot's receipt as proof of the towing cost. Include the daily storage charges and the release fee. The insurance adjuster will review these costs and either approve them as reasonable or dispute them if they seem excessive for your area.
If the other driver's insurance denies the towing cost or offers less than you paid, you can dispute it by providing the lot's invoice and explaining why the fee was necessary. If you cannot reach a settlement, you may pursue the cost in small claims court, though this takes time and effort.
What happens if you cannot pay immediately
Contact the impound lot and explain your situation. Some lots offer payment plans that let you pay half upfront and the rest within a week or two. Others will hold your car for 30 days before selling it at auction, giving you time to borrow money or wait for an insurance settlement.
If the lot will not work with you and you cannot pay, the car will eventually be sold. The lot keeps the proceeds to cover towing and storage; if there is money left over, they may send it to you, though this varies by lot and state law. Once the car is sold, you lose it entirely.
If your car is financed or leased, contact your lender or leasing company immediately. They have a financial interest in the vehicle and may pay the impound fees themselves to recover the car. This is rare, but worth asking about.
Your rights if the tow was improper
South Carolina law allows police to tow a vehicle from an accident scene to clear the roadway and protect public safety. This is legal even if the accident was not your fault. However, the tow company must follow proper procedures: they must store the car safely, charge only reasonable fees, and allow you to retrieve it during business hours.
If you believe the tow was improper—for example, if the lot damaged your car while it was in storage, or if they charged fees that are clearly excessive for your area—you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. You can also pursue the cost in small claims court if the damage or fees are under $7,500.
Before taking legal action, get a written estimate from a repair shop documenting any damage the car sustained while in the lot's care. Photograph the damage and keep all receipts and correspondence with the lot. These documents will support your case if you decide to pursue it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my car back if I was not the one driving it?
Yes, but you will need to prove you own it or are authorized to retrieve it. Bring your registration, title, or a notarized letter from the owner giving you permission. The lot may require the owner to call and authorize the release, depending on their policy.
What if the car is still being investigated by police?
Police can place a hold on the vehicle if it is evidence in a criminal case. The lot will not release it until police remove the hold. Call the police department's records division and ask when the hold will be lifted. This can take weeks or months depending on the case.
Do I have to pay storage fees if the accident was not my fault?
Yes, you must pay the lot upfront. However, you can recover these costs from the other driver's insurance as part of your claim. Keep all receipts and include them when you file.
What if my car is damaged and I want to declare it a total loss?
You still have to pay the impound lot to retrieve it or authorize your insurance company to do so. Once you own the car again, your insurance can pay you for the total loss. The lot will not release the title until all fees are paid.
How long can the lot hold my car before selling it?
South Carolina law requires lots to hold vehicles for at least 30 days before selling them at auction. Some lots hold them longer. Call your lot and ask their specific policy so you know your deadline.