Why Do Police Impound Cars After An Accident?

Dawn Pinnisi

April 23, 2024

If your car doesn’t work after an accident, the police might tow it away, particularly if you’re too hurt to have it towed yourself. Alternatively, if you are able to handle the phone calls at the scene, the police might allow you to choose the tow company and destination of your vehicle.

Usually, most people in a car accident can leave the scene unless the police decide it is unsafe to continue driving the vehicle. When the police impound your vehicle, it can compound the stress levels to an already challenging situation.

If you suffered injuries in a crash, never wait to contact a trusted NJ car accident attorney for legal advice. You have important rights to compensation, and the right law firm can assist you.

Why Do Police Impound Cars After an Accident?

A police officer may order the impounding of a vehicle for the safety of those involved in an accident and to preserve related evidence. After a severe crash, the damaged vehicle poses a hazard to the public due to leaking fluids, flammable gas, protruding parts, and sharp debris. Towing the vehicle prevents further injuries and additional accidents at the scene.

If the accident results in severe injuries and fatalities, a police officer may impound the vehicle to preserve evidence required to establish the cause of the accident. The vehicle may contain critical data from the dashcam and the internal computer, which could shed light on the cause of the accident.

Sometimes, the police may impound your vehicle when involved in a minor accident to comply with state and local laws. While laws vary by state, they generally permit a police officer to impound a vehicle in particular situations, such as:

Driving Under the Influence: If any of the drivers involved in a car accident is found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, a police officer can order the impounding of the vehicle.
Driving Without a Valid License: A police officer may order the impounding of your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident without a valid driving license.
No Proof of Insurance: Driving without minimum insurance coverage is illegal. A law enforcement officer may impound your vehicle if involved in an accident without proof of insurance coverage.
Outstanding Warrants: In some cases, a car accident can reveal outstanding warrants and other legal issues related to the driver, leading to vehicle impoundment.

When the police impound a vehicle, a service provider tows it to a designated impounding lot or towing yard. The vehicle owner will be responsible for the towing charges and storage costs, which can quickly accumulate.

The vehicle owner must pay the towing fees and storage costs to retrieve their vehicle. An insurance provider may cover some of these costs; however, it is important to speak with an agent to understand available coverage.

What Happens If a Police Officer Impounds Your Vehicle?

If a law enforcement officer impounds your vehicle, taking certain steps will make getting your car back or filing an insurance claim easier.

Here are some key actions you can take:

Speak With a Law Enforcement Officer: Contact the law enforcement who impounded your vehicle to understand why they towed it.
Document the Scene: Record the accident scene by taking images of your impounded vehicle and the other car. In addition, record the personal details of the other driver, passengers involved, and any witness at the scene.
Retrieve Your Personal Belongings: Considering the uncertainties related to retrieving your vehicle, get your personal belongings from the vehicle.
Contact Your Insurance Provider: Even if you’re not responsible for the accident, informing your insurer about the accident is important. Notifying the insurance is a crucial step since they may step in to pay for towing fees and injury-related losses.
Get in Touch With a Car Accident Attorney: Besides providing legal support while retrieving your vehicle, a car accident attorney will be your trusted ally in events following an accident. For instance, they will communicate with the insurer on your behalf and pursue a fair settlement value for your injury-related losses. If the at-fault party’s insurer refuses to settle or makes an insufficient offer, an attorney can litigate the matter to obtain a court order that compels the at-fault party to pay your injury-related losses.

Get in Touch With an Experienced New Jersey Car Accident Attorney

After sustaining an injury in a car accident, your priority should be recovering from physical harm. Your physical condition may prevent you from effectively pursuing a claim with the insurer or recovering your towed vehicle.

You need representation from an experienced attorney from Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C., with a proven track record of protecting the rights of injured victims. Contact us online or at (201) 588-1500 for a free consultation.

Dawn M. Pinnisi

Dawn M. Pinnisi is a distinguished attorney with a track record of excellence in advocating for victims of injury and negligence. Dawn is a Founding Partner of the Firm, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and has been awarded by the National Trial Lawyers.

University: J.D. Brooklyn Law School

Bar Number: 33771999

Locations: New Jersey and New York.

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"Everyone at this law office is very courteous and professional. I was being kept in the loop at every step in the process, and we reached a satisfactory outcome. "

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"I would like to start off by telling everyone at the firm how thankful I am for all of you who were involved in my case. I was always treated professionally, with a friendly smile and greeting anytime I was at the office. Moreover, m..."

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Why Do Police Impound Cars After An Accident?

Why Do Police Impound Cars After an Accident?

What Happens If a Police Officer Impounds Your Vehicle?

Get in Touch With an Experienced New Jersey Car Accident Attorney

Dawn M. Pinnisi

Let Us Fight For You

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Request Your Free Consultation

"A terrific firm that helped my family to successfully litigate a complex real estate fraud case. Great communication from the team throughout the entire process. Everyone involved was highly skilled, explained things clearly and appe..."

"Varcadipane & Pinnisi were incredible to work with. Their attention to detail, knowledge, and responsiveness go unmatched. I highly recommend!!! "

"My nearly 8 year long relationship with Varcadipane & Pinnisi as my legal counsel was nothing short of outstanding. Their dedication and hard work shone through every step of the way. Simply put, I was represented by my legal dre..."

"Jeff Varcadipane did an excellent job winning my case, despite the constant hurdles and excess motions of the defense. His knowledge of every part of the law was very impressive. He and Dawn really cared about my case and constantly ..."

"I had a great experience with Varcadipane & Pinnisi, PC law firm and would like to express my gratitude specifically to Ms. Sophia Soraya for her excellent legal assistance. I appreciate their professionalism and highly recommend..."

"Attorney Sophia Soraya and her firm were incredible. We couldn’t have been more impressed with their knowledge, care and attention to detail. Your legal needs are in great hands with Varcadipane & Pinnisi. "

"Varcadipane & Pinnisi PC has been an incredible partner in navigating risk and advising on the commercial structure of multiple businesses, while providing personal counsel for the last 15 years. "

"The entire team at VARCADIPANE & PINNISI were fantastic to work with and achieved way more than expected. I had such a hard time finding and trusting a firm to work with based on the complexity of my case. The team at VARCADIPANE..."

"We are extremely pleased with the exceptional legal services provided by Varcdipane & Pinnisi. Their professionalism, expertise, and dedication were evident throughout the entire process. I highly recommend their services to anyo..."

"Choosing this firm to represent my family and I was the best decision I could have made! They walked us through the process and were very professional, accessible and always explained everything in detail. Dawn and her team listened,..."

"I cannot praise Varcadipane & Pinnisi, PC enough for their exceptional legal support, especially Mr. Varcadipane’s instrumental role in safeguarding my business. Before engaging their services, my business was operating wit..."

"Thank you to Dawn who work tirelessly throughout the time that we have the case open. She even helped to find ways to reduce the cost. She is very knowledgeable and easy to reach out to. Very fair and logical by providing whats best ..."

"My name is John and my experience with Varcadipane & Pinnisi was amazing from day one. The firm is very professional and very informative. Not all law firms are honest or easy to work with. With that said , once become a client you..."

"They say the reward is exponentially greater if you receive it when you least expect it. It sounds like a fairy tale happy ending, but it was made possible for my wife and me by the team at Varcadipane & Pinnisi, PC. What started..."

"I would highly recommend Varcadipane & Pinnisi for the dedication to your individual case and your needs. They’re timely in response to your questions, they get you the answers you need, they are honest and reliable. We all n..."

"They are very good lawyers and they are very kind thanks for everything 😊😊 "

"It has truly been an incredible experience working with Ms. Sophia Soraya and the Varcadipane & Pinnisi Law Firm. They have been extremely professional, diligent, and committed. Despite any challenges that appeared along the road..."

"We Hired Varcadipane & Pinnisi for a situation we had back In NJ last year with a moving company that did not do right by us, they were supposed to deliver our household goods from NJ to our new home in FL and instead took all of..."

"Sophia was amazing, as was her team. She was there for me through everything; super supportive and ensured I felt comfortable with every decision made. She never gave up and ultimately made a very challenging life event much easier t..."

"Jeff and his team were so helpful in solving our legal issue. Everyone was thorough and communicated every step of the process to us. We really appreciate everything they did and would highly recommend!! "

"I was very satisfied with Varcadipane & Pinnisi. They were professional and courteous in handling my case., which they handled with speed and brought a very favorable outcome to my case. I would Whole heartily recommend to anyone..."

"Everyone at this law office is very courteous and professional. I was being kept in the loop at every step in the process, and we reached a satisfactory outcome. "

"The law firm lead by Mr. Varcadipane provided service that was first rate. From our first conversation, till the final settlement, this firm provided me a level of comfort and expertise which was second to none. I would surely recomm..."

"Dawn Pinnisi is a caring and responsible attorney who worked assiduously on my behalf. Highly recommend. "

"To be successful in a matter involving a business dispute requires an attorney who not only knows the law but who has spent significant time in the courtroom dealing with complex business litigation. Varcadipane & Pinnisi is that..."

"Varcadipane & Pinnisi were successful in negotiating our claim. Professional and knowledgeable "

"They were outstanding in every way and I couldn’t be more pleased! "

"I would like to start off by telling everyone at the firm how thankful I am for all who were involved in my case. I was always treated professionally, like family, kind, and considerate and with a friendly smile. Moreover, my experie..."

"Words can’t adequately express my gratitude to Dawn for taking on my medical malpractice case. At our first meeting Dawn had compassion for I went through and took the time to listen to everything I had to say. Throughout the e..."

"Dawn Pinnisi was recommended to me from another lawyer. From the moment I spoke with her, I left it all in her hands. I live 2 hours away and I never had to go to her office! She settled my lawsuit so fast and for more that I ever ex..."

"I would like to start off by telling everyone at the firm how thankful I am for all of you who were involved in my case. I was always treated professionally, with a friendly smile and greeting anytime I was at the office. Moreover, m..."

"I have known Jeff Varcadipane for over 7 years, during which time he has advised me on several real estate and civil claims issues. Most recently, he assisted with my complicated real estate transaction in NYC. He was very responsive..."

"The best way to describe Dawn is if you are looking for a person that will go to bat for you, to fight for your cause, that puts in the energy, research, and effort that is required to get you the settlement that you deserve, then lo..."

"Great law firm! Dawn Pinnisi is a great lawyer, very easy to work with, and got me a more than fair settlement on my case. Highly recommend this law firm. "

"When forming my business, it was important that I started with the right structure. Jeff took the time to explain the pros and cons from a legal perspective and I was able to make a confident decision. Varcadipane & Pinnisi got m..."

"The legal process is complicated and at times frustrating but Jeff has managed to translate this process so it is clear to me. He has been patient in walking me through this step by step. Jeff has been timely in providing me with upd..."

"Dawn is the best she won 2 cases for me for over $300,000. The first one was very difficult being that the company had no insurance, but Dawn handled it with such persistence and professionalism that we won. If you want a lawyer who ..."

"I highly endorse this lawyer. Dawn is smart and personable. She is known to be a great litigator and she is extremely knowledgeable about the law as well as being fiercely defensive of her clients. I have attended many court appearan..."

"I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Pinnisi for 14 years. She is one of the most outstanding attorneys with whom I have dealt. Ms. Pinnisi meticulously prepares and researches cases and advocates zealously on behalf of her clients..."

"Dawn Pinnisi is a fantastic attorney with whom I have worked on numerous cases. Dawn is someone I am proud to call a friend. Over the years I have seen how personally invested she becomes in each of her cases, stopping at nothing to ..."

"Dawn really helped me out in a time of need after my accident. I wasn’t sure if I had a case or not but after my consultation, she gave me hope. I felt like I could trust her and she always returned my phone calls after reachin..."

"I highly recommend Dawn Pinnisi for medical malpractice, car accident, and personal injury cases. Not only is she one of the most experienced attorneys in the field she’s an honest, trustworthy, and caring person in the litigat..."

"I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Pinnisi for 14 years. She is one of the most outstanding attorneys with whom I have dealt. Ms. Pinnisi meticulously prepares and researches cases and advocates zealously on behalf of her clients..."

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