The moments following a car crash are overwhelming. Between medical concerns and insurance calls, you might overlook an important question: what exactly happens to your damaged vehicle?
Knowing what happens to a vehicle after an Aurora car accident helps you avoid additional expenses and complications. Speaking with an experienced and hardworking auto wreck attorney early in this process protects your interests while you focus on recovery. Call now.
Vehicle Storage and Towing Procedures After Crashes
Most damaged vehicles arrive at towing yards or body shops after an Aurora car crash. These storage facilities charge $50-75 daily, quickly accumulating fees if your car sits untouched for weeks. Towing companies must provide documentation showing your vehicle’s location and retrieval instructions, though these papers sometimes get lost in the chaos following collisions.
Your insurance carrier likely maintains relationships with certain storage facilities. They might refuse coverage for storage fees at unapproved locations, leaving you responsible for mounting costs. When another driver bears responsibility for the crash, their insurance should cover these expenses – though they rarely volunteer this information unprompted.
The Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. has navigated these exact scenarios for decades. With over 40 years of experience tackling car accident cases, we have seen every tactic insurers use to minimize payouts. Our experience gives us perspective on how vehicle damage connects to your broader case.
Insurance Assessment and Vehicle Valuation in Crash Cases
Storage locations typically hold your vehicle until an insurance adjuster examines it. An Aurora automobile collision lawyer familiar can expedite this inspection. The adjuster determines whether repairs make financial sense or if the vehicle qualifies as a “total loss” – a designation carrying significant implications for your claim.
Adjusters estimate necessary work costs for repairable vehicles. When declaring a total loss, they calculate your car’s pre-accident market value, factoring in the year, mileage, condition, and recent sales of comparable vehicles in northern Illinois. Many overlook how modifications, recent maintenance, or low-availability models affect these valuations.
Most initial offers undervalue vehicles by 15 to 30%. Having worked within insurance companies, our personal injury attorneys recognize these tactics firsthand. This insider knowledge is invaluable across our practice areas, including all vehicle crash cases.
Repair or Replacement Options for Vehicles
If repairs remain possible, you have the right to choose your preferred shop rather than use insurance-recommended facilities. While carriers suggest their “preferred vendors,” Illinois law prohibits requiring specific repair locations. Document all communication about repairs, as supplemental damage discovered during the process often triggers coverage disputes.
Total loss situations force difficult decisions. Insurance companies calculate settlements using secretive formulas, deducting your policy deductible from their offer. Before accepting any figure, research similar vehicles through independent sources and challenge lowball valuations with documentation.
Get in Touch with an Aurora Car Accident Attorney About Your Case Today
Now that you know what happens to a vehicle after an Aurora car accident, take the next step by seeking legal support with your case. The Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. approaches each client’s situation comprehensively, connecting property damage to broader injury considerations.
Our decades of experience have built invaluable relationships with repair facilities, medical providers, and accident reconstructionists throughout Aurora. Your vehicle’s treatment affects your immediate transportation needs and overall compensation. Level the playing field by scheduling an initial consultation with our legal team today.