Nobody plans for a crash, which is exactly why it helps to know the order of operations before you need it. Here's what actually matters in the minutes after an accident, before the tow truck shows up.

1. Check for Injuries First

Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately, even for injuries that seem minor. Adrenaline hides pain well, and an official record matters later for insurance.

2. Get Out of the Traffic Lane if You Can

If the vehicle still drives and it's safe to do so, move it to the shoulder or a nearby lot. If it doesn't move, or moving it isn't safe, turn on your hazard lights and stay clear of traffic rather than standing next to the car. This is also where a professional accident tow earns its keep: our drivers are trained to recover a vehicle from a live traffic lane safely, which is not something to attempt yourself on a highway shoulder.

3. Document Before Anything Gets Moved

  • Photos of both vehicles, all four angles, plus close-ups of the damage.
  • A photo of the surrounding scene: traffic signs, skid marks, road conditions.
  • The other driver's name, phone number, insurance company and policy number.
  • The responding officer's name and badge number, and the police report number if one is issued.

4. Call Your Insurance Company

Most policies want to know about an accident quickly, even if you're not filing a claim yet. Ask directly whether your policy covers towing and storage, and get a claim number if one is opened on the spot. This step also determines who's paying for the tow, which brings up a question we hear constantly:

Do I Have to Use My Insurance Company's Tow Truck?

In most cases, no. You're generally allowed to choose your own towing company after an accident, even if your insurer offers to dispatch one for you. The difference matters: insurance-dispatched trucks are often the first available driver in a large network, not necessarily the closest one, and you may have less say in where your car ends up. Calling a local company directly, like Auto Towing 2Go, means a driver who knows the roads around Kennesaw, Marietta and the rest of our service area, and who will coordinate directly with your insurance company or adjuster on the paperwork.

Worth knowing: if your car isn't driveable, that's a normal accident tow, not a special service. We bring a flatbed and load it without further damage, in any condition.

5. Decide Where the Car Goes

Your options are usually a repair shop, a dealership, or your home if the damage is cosmetic. Tell your driver the destination when you call, and confirm it again when the truck arrives. If you're not sure yet, ask about short-term storage while you sort out the claim.

What We Handle on Our End

  1. Prompt response to clear the scene and get your vehicle off the road safely.
  2. Careful loading on a flatbed, regardless of how the vehicle is sitting.
  3. Direct coordination with your insurance adjuster when needed.
  4. Delivery to the shop, dealership, or storage location you choose.

A crash is stressful enough without wondering who to call. Save our number now, or request a tow online, so it's one less thing to figure out when it actually happens.