If you have ever been involved in a major car accident, you probably know that there is a high likelihood that the vehicles involved in the collision will be towed from the accident scene. Moreover, if the vehicle owner cannot locate or specify a mechanic shop to send the vehicle, the car will be taken to a storage yard until it can be picked up. This situation, unfortunately, can result in a significant bill. There is good news, however; Nevada passed a law — Nevada Revised Statutes NRS 706 — that went into effect a few years back that significantly lowered the fees car accident victims must pay for impound and storage fees for damaged vehicles.
Nevada Towing Costs
Unless a vehicle owner signs a form permitting that his or her vehicle be towed to a more expensive lot, Nevada tow truck drivers must deliver damaged vehicles to low-cost storage yards. Generally, the costs for impound and storage of vehicles involved in a collision range from $20 to $30 per day, plus the costs of towing the car to the yard. Importantly, there is no limit to the number of days a car owner can be charged for impound and storage fees, as long as the towing companion notifies the vehicle owner that they have his car. In other situations, tow companies may generally charge the owner of a vehicle daily fees for:
- 21 days when the vehicle is impounded at the request of law enforcement and it was involved in an accident; or
- 15 days for all other vehicles not in the above scenario.
Prior to the change in the law, car accident victims had responsibility for fees for towing, storage, and other various fees generated by the tow company. This could include clean-up fees, vehicle-visiting fees, window taping fees, auction fees, forklift fees, vehicle listing fees, and other costs. It could cost an average $150 a day to store the vehicle; car owners could spend several hundred to several thousand dollars to pick up their vehicle from the impound.
Who Pays for Towing?
Who is responsible for paying towing and storage fees after an accident is dependent upon the terms of your car insurance policy. Some plans cover towing and storage after a crash while others only cover these costs if you also have a roadside assistance plan under the insurance policy. Generally, the at-fault driver who is involved in a Nevada car accident is responsible for covering any crash-related expenses. This includes the at-fault driver or their car insurance company should pay for towing and storage costs. That being said, a crash victim or their insurance carrier may have to upfront these expenses and seek reimbursement after they are paid. Even if the insurance carrier covers the accident victim’s towing and storage costs, they will still be responsible for any deductible. Finally, no insurance company, whether your own or that of the at fault driver, will pay vehicle storage fees for any time longer than they determine is reasonable.
Contact Our Attorneys
For information about your rights and obligations after a Nevada car accident, contact the attorneys at H&P Law. We will fight for the best outcome possible based on the facts of your case and applicable law.
