If anyone is injured, call 911 first.
24/7 · WOODLAND, CAAccident & Collision Towing in Woodland, CA
If anyone is injured, call 911 first. Once everyone is safe, a car that can’t be driven needs to be towed. Here is how that works and what to expect.
CALL (530) 490-5352 Request Help →After a Collision: What To Do
Take these in order. The tow comes after everyone is safe.
- Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt, or if a car is blocking traffic
- If the cars can be moved and no one is hurt, move them out of the travel lanes
- Turn on hazard lights and stay clear of traffic while you wait
- Exchange names, insurance details and plate numbers with the other driver, and take photos
- Follow any directions from officers at the scene
If the car can’t be driven safely, it gets towed. That may be a tow you call, or one arranged by the officer at the scene.
Police, Insurance and Storage
If law enforcement responds and the car needs to come off the road quickly, the officer may call a tow from a rotation list rather than wait for one you arrange. That is normal. Ask where the car is being taken, and get the yard’s name and phone number before you leave. If you are calling the tow yourself, tell the operator it is a collision so they bring what is needed to clear glass and debris from the road.
Call your insurance company early. Many policies cover towing after a covered collision, and the insurer may want the car taken to a particular shop. Storage at a tow yard is charged by the day, so move the car out of the yard to a shop as soon as you can. In California, a collision with an injury or more than $1,000 in damage must be reported to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days, whether or not police came.
Typical Accident Towing Cost
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Tow (hookup + first miles) | $75 – $125 |
| Each additional mile | $3 – $5 |
| Recovery (off-road, ditch, rollover) | $75 – $250+ |
Typical market ranges for the Woodland area. Debris cleanup, complex recoveries and storage are additional, and police-ordered tows follow the agency’s rates — the operator quotes your final price before dispatch.
Accident Towing FAQs
Who pays for the tow after an accident?
It depends on fault and your coverage. Many insurance policies cover towing after a covered collision. Pay the operator if needed, keep the receipt, and submit it to your insurer.
Police had my car towed. How do I get it back?
Ask the officer or the agency for the tow yard’s name and location. You will usually need ID, proof of ownership and, in some cases, a release from the agency. Retrieve it quickly, since storage is charged daily.
Can I choose where my car is towed?
If you arrange the tow yourself, yes. If an officer orders the tow, the car goes where the officer directs, and you can have it moved to a repair shop of your choice afterwards.
Need a Tow After a Collision?
CALL (530) 490-5352Related help: Winch-out & recovery · Roadside assistance · Vehicle transport · Woodland Towing Pros home. Woodland Towing Pros connects stranded drivers with independent local tow operators; final pricing is quoted before dispatch.