A car accident is situation that can leave you unsure about what to do next. You may not be able to figure out the problem clearly, especially when your vehicle is damaged and you need to deal with insurance at the same time.
If your vehicle is no longer safe to drive simply stop it on the side of the road. In Winnipeg, accident towing can help move your damaged vehicle to a safe location while you take the next steps with Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI).
Here is what you should know after a collision.
* Check Everyone’s Safety First
Before thinking about your vehicle or insurance claim verify that everyone in the car is safe.
Before making any other move take your vehicle out of the way of traffic and if the vehicle is badly damaged, leaking fluids, or creating a danger on the road, do not try to drive.
In case any passengers in the car are seriously injured, contact emergency services immediately.
Once everyone is safe, you can focus on documenting the accident and arranging the necessary assistance.
* Exchange Information with the Other Driver
After a collision, collect the important details from the other driver and any witnesses.
This can include:
- Driver’s name and contact information
- Vehicle information and licence plate number
- Driver’s licence details
- Insurance information
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- Location, date and time of the accident
Taking photos of the vehicles, road conditions, damage and surrounding area can also help document what happened.
MPI recommends reporting the collision promptly, even if your vehicle appears to have little or no damage.
2. Know When Your Vehicle Should Be Towed
Not every accident-damaged vehicle needs a tow, but driving a damaged vehicle can be risky.
You should consider towing after an accident if:
- The vehicle cannot start
- The steering or brakes are affected
- A tire, wheel or suspension component is damaged
- Fluids are leaking
- Lights or important safety equipment are damaged
- The vehicle has major body damage
- You are unsure whether it is safe to drive
If there is any doubt about the vehicle’s roadworthiness, it is better to have it assessed rather than risk another accident or further damage.
3. Understand How Insurance and Towing Work
In Manitoba, Manitoba Public Insurance handles Autopac claims and explains the available repair and claim options after carefully accessing the fault.
If your vehicle is not safe to drive, towing may be necessary.
MPI currently advises Winnipeg motorists that it can assist with arranging a tow through its trusted towing providers when a vehicle cannot be driven after a collision. If you arrange towing yourself, it is important to understand where the vehicle will be taken and what costs may be covered.
This is why it is important to ask about the destination and towing charges before authorizing service.
4. Avoid Unnecessary Storage Charges
After an accident, your vehicle may need to be moved to a storage facility or another appropriate location.
However, towing and storage costs can become a concern if you do not understand what your insurance coverage will pay.
MPI notes that using a towing or storage provider outside its listed network may mean you have to pay the provider directly, and the amount reimbursed by your coverage may not cover the full charge.
Before agreeing to a tow, ask:
Where is my vehicle being taken?
What towing or storage charges should I expect?
Is the destination appropriate for my insurance claim?
Getting clear answers can help prevent surprises later.
5. Take Photos Before the Vehicle Is Moved
If it is safe, take photographs of the accident scene before your vehicle is towed.
Try to capture:
- Damage to your vehicle
- Damage to the other vehicle
- Licence plates
- Road conditions
- Nearby signs or intersections
- Skid marks or debris
- The overall position of the vehicles
You do not need to put yourself in danger to get these photos. Your safety always comes first.
Good documentation can make it easier to explain what happened when reporting your claim.
6. Report the Accident to MPI
Once the immediate situation is under control, report the collision to MPI as soon as possible.
For Winnipeg, MPI’s current claims number is 204-985-7000. Outside Winnipeg, the toll-free number is 1-800-665-2410.
When reporting the accident, you may need information about your vehicle, the driver, the other vehicles involved, the location and circumstances of the collision, and any witnesses.
Even if the damage initially looks minor, reporting the collision is still important.
7. Do not Repair the Vehicle Before It Is Assessed
One common mistake after an accident is arranging repairs immediately.
MPI advises that you should not repair collision damage before it has been inspected, except for temporary or emergency repairs needed to keep the vehicle mobile or prevent further damage.
If your vehicle is badly damaged, focus first on getting it somewhere safe and following the instructions provided for your claim.
8. What If the Accident Was a Hit and Run?
A hit-and-run can be especially stressful because you may not have the other driver’s information.
If your vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run in Winnipeg, MPI says the incident should also be reported to the Winnipeg Police Service, with the reporting process depending on the circumstances.
If your vehicle is not safe to drive, arrange appropriate towing rather than attempting to drive it yourself.
9. What If You Were Injured?
Vehicle damage is not the only concern after a collision.
If you were injured in an automobile collision in Manitoba, MPI’s Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIPP) provides benefits for eligible economic losses. MPI provides a separate process for opening an injury claim.
If you have been injured, seek appropriate medical attention and make sure your injuries are properly documented.
Accident Towing in Winnipeg
If your vehicle is damaged after a collision and cannot safely be driven, Orca Towing can help you get it off the road and transported safely.
Our goal is to make the towing part of an already stressful situation as straightforward as possible. Whether your vehicle is sitting on a Winnipeg street, in a parking lot, or somewhere outside the city, we can help arrange the appropriate towing service based on your vehicle and situation.
Before the tow begins, you can discuss where the vehicle needs to go and any relevant towing details.
Stay Safe and Handle One Step at a Time
An accident can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to figure everything out at once.
First, make sure everyone is safe. Then document the accident, exchange information, report the collision and arrange towing if the vehicle is not safe to drive.
If you need accident towing in Winnipeg, Orca Towing can help get your damaged vehicle safely off the road so you can focus on the next steps.
Need a tow after an accident? Contact Orca Towing for reliable accident recovery and towing in Winnipeg.
