in case you have an accident - dont make my mistake

[ukgirl]

Last month I had an accident and my car flipped over on the qew. I had to be pulled out of the car. People pulled over and called 911. I had never been in an accident before so didnt know what to do. I just want to make sure this doesnt happen to anyone else. Anyway, as soon as the ambulance comes they took me into it then straight into the back of the cop car to do the statement etc. My car was lying in a ditch so obviously I wasnt near it anymore. My boyfriend grabbed my purse and cellphone for me when we got pulled out of the car.
Anyway, when we were about to leave the scene (after about 1 hour), the tow truck guy had pulled my car the right way and was hauling it onto his truck. I asked if I can get my other stuff (from the glove)... well, maybe you guys arent surprised but my stuff had been stolen - gps, blackberry charger, burberry sunglasses, cds etc. So while my car was flipped over and I was in a police car not allowed near the car, someone went and helped themselves.

Im assuming it was the tow truck guy as he was the only one with access to my car for so long alone. I asked him did you see my gps and he "pretended" to help me search the grass etc but of course it wasnt there.

I cant believe people do stuff like that really....I was so shaken from the crash, It never occured to me that someone would steal from me while I was in an ambulance.

[Mayoo]

hmm .. sad .. i dont know if your insurance cover all those valuable items .. talk to your claim specialist for your insurance .. dont tell them its lost but u can tell them its broken or damaged ..

[vr6man25]

99% it was the tow truck driver.
They have a bad rep , but they bring it on themselves.

[dog_mumu]

dont tell them its lost but u can tell them its broken or damaged ..

Most policies do not cover any valuables in the car, but if yours does, it shouldn't matter if your belongings were lost or stolen or damaged.

[Anonymouse]

Glad you're okay; many people who flip their cars on the highway don't have a good outcome.

I wouldn't lie to the insurance company. If you have the coverage, you should be able to make a legitimate insurance claim since the items were stolen from your car. I forget if it's your car or home/tenant insurance that covers thefts like this.

[virgoan]

any valuables in your car will be covered by your home insurance...

[ricoboxing]

any valuables in your car will be covered by your home insurance...

but i think you still have to pay the deductible, which is usually at least $500. So in most cases it isn't worth it.

[ukgirl]

Thanks for these answers guys. Of course, yes first thing is that it is a miracle that I was even able to walk away from the accident in the first place. I was lucky.

My car insurance covered repairing my car but it was close to being a total loss so I didnt want to push my luck by making more claims. The irony is that **** tow truck guy is the one that gave us a ride to the freeway services after the accident and all the time he was sitting there with my stolen stuff. :mad:

I just want to make sure if you are unlucky enough to be in my situation and are able to, grab everything you can from your car, those people are like vultures...

[thelefteyeguy]

well the important thing is that you're ok.

vultures are asses

[vincent-poon]

wow, i've never knew they did such things.
Glad u are ok though, at least u walk away with whats most important.

[sunnybono]

99% it was the tow truck driver.
They have a bad rep , but they bring it on themselves.

Your telling me. A good friend of mine recently got into a car accident. Tow truck shows up and lifts the car. Take her and the car to the police reporting collision and drops the car. After some time, he comes back and lifts the car again and takes it to his pound where they end up storing it for a few days till the body shop calls to inform them that they will be picking up the vehicle from the pound to the bodyshop. Guess how much the bill was??? $1,200.00

[Mayoo]

Most policies do not cover any valuables in the car, but if yours does, it shouldn't matter if your belongings were lost or stolen or damaged.

thanks . my bad ..

[urameatball]

its sad how I've never heard of a good experience with tow truck drivers.
nor meter maids.

Imagine if a tow truck driver and a meter maid had a baby.
biggest jerk in history :D

[bembol]

I'm not surprised. Sorry to hear/happy to hear you two walked away from it.

[COSMIC5]

I am so glad you got out ok. Items that are not attached to the vehicle would be covered under your property insurance, minus any deductible you would have. Speak to your broker and advise them of the theft!

[Paranoidandroid]

Truck drivers are scum. I hope you didn't save your home address on the GPS...

[ukgirl]

Truck drivers are scum. I hope you didn't save your home address on the GPS...

haha wow.. good point, luckily I was too lazy to put "home" into my gps..If I pressed "home" it went to a walmart in etobicoke. haha:D

[Rekognize]

99% it was the tow truck driver.
They have a bad rep , but they bring it on themselves.

+1. I have friend who used to be a tow truck driver and they help "clean up" the mess.

A lot of tow truck drivers are ex-cons. I'm not just making this up either, it's true.

+1

[Shaner]

A lot of tow truck drivers are ex-cons. I'm not just making this up either, it's true.

When you realized your stuff was missing, you should have immediately went over to the cop and filed a report. You should have also made a big scene about the fact that the tow truck driver was the one with opportunity.

[ukgirl]

A lot of tow truck drivers are ex-cons. I'm not just making this up either, it's true.

When you realized your stuff was missing, you should have immediately went over to the cop and filed a report. You should have also made a big scene about the fact that the tow truck driver was the one with opportunity.

I know. but its all about hindsight is 20/20. I just survived a car crash that could have killed me. I was in such shock I didnt know what to do. I was shaking. I was stranded in Niagara falls. thats why I put this thread.. so no one else makes my mistake.

[Chr1s]

Glad to hear you are alive and not injured! That in itself is a miracle. :)

That tow truck driver will get what is coming to him one day. People like that always do. Thanks for posting the story to make us aware of these tow truck vultures. Assh0les.

[myapple]

Your telling me. A good friend of mine recently got into a car accident. Tow truck shows up and lifts the car. Take her and the car to the police reporting collision and drops the car. After some time, he comes back and lifts the car again and takes it to his pound where they end up storing it for a few days till the body shop calls to inform them that they will be picking up the vehicle from the pound to the bodyshop. Guess how much the bill was??? $1,200.00

Wow..that is a bit high considering tow rates are supposed to be capped in Toronto.

http://www.thestar.com/Wheels/article/179770
"Within the City of Toronto, accident tow rates for vehicles under 6,000 lb. (2,721 kg) are capped at $166 maximum from a city street, and $188 maximum from expressways such as the QEW, DVP, Gardiner or 400-series highways."

[Shaner]

I know. but its all about hindsight is 20/20. I just survived a car crash that could have killed me. I was in such shock I didnt know what to do. I was shaking. I was stranded in Niagara falls. thats why I put this thread.. so no one else makes my mistake.

I'm not lecturing you, I'm simply making a suggestion. I realize that you were stressed out and probably not thinking clearly.

It's not too late to file a complaint though. Call the tow truck company and file a complaint with them. Let them know that the only person near the car after the accident was the tow truck driver. I would imagine the cop would be talking to you and the paramedics would have no reason to snoop around the car once everyone was pulled out safely. Definitely complain loudly to that company and threaten to go to the media with your story. Also, file a police report, it's not too late.

On the other hand, is there a chance that when the car flipped some of your belongings were thrown from the car? I know it's unlikely, but it doesn't hurt to consider the possibility before you start accusing people.

[Frankie3s]

That's just plain disgusting and makes the how low can someone go awards for sure. Without proof it will be hard to prove that the tow driver had done it.

[ukgirl]

[QUOTE=Shaner;7808372]I'm not lecturing you, I'm simply making a suggestion. I realize that you were stressed out and probably not thinking clearly.

It's not too late to file a complaint though. Call the tow truck company and file a complaint with them. Let them know that the only person near the car after the accident was the tow truck driver. I would imagine the cop would be talking to you and the paramedics would have no reason to snoop around the car once everyone was pulled out safely. Definitely complain loudly to that company and threaten to go to the media with your story. Also, file a police report, it's not too late.

On the other hand, is there a chance that when the car flipped some of your belongings were thrown from the car? I know it's unlikely, but it doesn't hurt to consider the possibility before you start accusing people.[/QUOTE
hey shaner, i know you werent lecturing me, Im as angry at myself, i kick myself for the whole thing. No, I really searched all around my car and all in it and so did my boyfriend... the gps was completely gone.. its only now I got my car back on friday I realized the other stuff was missing. My car was on grass and there was nothing there at all. the window only broke right as it came to a stop. My boyfreiend was driving so he got me a new gps but wanted to warn you guys to make sure you avoid it happening to you.

when I got my car back on fri.. it was cleaned out - first aid kit, flashlight, everything gone.. the only thing they left was the owners manual.

[new_vr]

hey shaner, i know you werent lecturing me, Im as angry at myself, i kick myself for the whole thing. [/QUOTE]
No sense getting mad at yourself. You got taken advantage of while you weren't in a great sense of mind. Just learn from your mistake and move on. Hopefully karma will take care of the rest

[sienna owner]

glad to hear you're okay...crappy about the tow drivers...

wifey had an accident about 2 years ago with my Jeep...hopped the curbed into a bus shelter..one of those new YRT ones that are all glass...well...no one got hurt, maybe the old chinese man waiting for the bus was a bit scared, but apparently he was quick on his feet..LOL

anyways, tow truck cap before the cop...cop took one look at the jeep, didn't think it wasn't driveable, automatically told the tow to "get lost" literally!! was surprised, but was more concerned with my wife that was in shock...tow still didn't listen and cop started to yell at him to move his truck 50 metres....LOL

[alamshahid]

hey shaner, i know you werent lecturing me, Im as angry at myself, i kick myself for the whole thing. No, I really searched all around my car and all in it and so did my boyfriend... the gps was completely gone.. its only now I got my car back on friday I realized the other stuff was missing. My car was on grass and there was nothing there at all. the window only broke right as it came to a stop. My boyfreiend was driving so he got me a new gps but wanted to warn you guys to make sure you avoid it happening to you.

when I got my car back on fri.. it was cleaned out - first aid kit, flashlight, everything gone.. the only thing they left was the owners manual.

You can complain to your Insurance company about the things that were removed from the car. I would be PISSED if someone decided to swipe my belongings if in an accident. People who do this sort of thing are low life scum.

[gnunn]

Just to have an opposing viewpoint, I had a problem with my car where it wasn't running right and needed a tow of about .5 a mile to get to the dealership. I flagged down a tow truck and he pulled my car over to the dealer and when I asked him how much he said not to worry about it as it took no time. I gave him a $20 for his troubles anyway but just goes to show they are all not scumbags.

[4flava]

Wow, you just had a strain of bad luck but I hope you'll put all of this aside and not dwell on your materialistic loses.. What goes around comes around so whomever took your stuff from your accident will have it coming to them... Kharma is a biatch and will always bite them in the arss.

you're ALIVE! ... go celebrate!

[Skirby01]

Glad you're okay; many people who flip their cars on the highway don't have a good outcome.

I wouldn't lie to the insurance company. If you have the coverage, you should be able to make a legitimate insurance claim since the items were stolen from your car. I forget if it's your car or home/tenant insurance that covers thefts like this.

Yes; never lie to your insurance company--a small lie can result in a claim being denied. Anything that becomes "part of the vehicle" may be covered under the car insurance (GPS if it was on the dash could be considered part of the vehicle). Anything not installed in the vehicle, would be home insurance.

[Mattones]

Reading that gets me angry.

Iv only been towed once. nothing happened I dont trust anyone really so i took EVERYTHING out of my car even the pennies haha

[hagbard]

Was the cop still there when you discovered that your things were missing? Did you bring it to his attention? I'd think he'd have the authority to search the tow truck.

[abstract808]

Wow..that is a bit high considering tow rates are supposed to be capped in Toronto.

http://www.thestar.com/Wheels/article/179770
"Within the City of Toronto, accident tow rates for vehicles under 6,000 lb. (2,721 kg) are capped at $166 maximum from a city street, and $188 maximum from expressways such as the QEW, DVP, Gardiner or 400-series highways."

But does that include "storage" fees?

[tommyle]

Truck drivers are scum. I hope you didn't save your home address on the GPS...

+1. We can tell from the way those tow truck drivers drive. :mad:

[Fort McMurray]

its sad how I've never heard of a good experience with tow truck drivers.
nor meter maids.

Imagine if a tow truck driver and a meter maid had a baby.
biggest jerk in history :D

Here's two.

1: Rolled my truck down an embankment on New Year's Eve. The thing was full of Christmas presents including new leather coats, GPS, new stereo, and probably a few $K in present stuff.

Not only did they get the truck out that day when there were at least 7 serious accidents and one tow truck for a couple hundred kms of highway, they let us into the compound on New Year's Day (at about 10am nonetheless) to collect our stuff so we could try to finish the trek home.

Not one thing was stolen, since we were 1000km from home and wrote off the truck we took everything from it and it was all accounted for.

Maybe it is just the small town towing that is honest. This was in Clearwater, BC, by the way.

2: Driving home from Edmonton after honeymoon in Mexico. Tire blows, go to put on spare only to find out that CT gave me the wrong rim for the car. Called CAA, they said expect about 2 hour wait (we were 150 km from closest town). 5 minutes after we got off the phone a tow truck shows up, he had to make a run to Calgary and the tow co. didn't know he was making the trek back that night. Pulls over, loads us up onto the deck, and drives us home. Sure he made some extra money for the last 150km drive of the day, but he had already been working for 16 hours and didn't need to pull over.

[S14_Raven]

Well when it comes down to it, as long as you're OK. Roll-overs usually don't end well.

As for the tow-trucks, lemme give a word of advice to everyone. After an accident, don't just let any tow truck driver take your car. They'll try to be pushy and what not, but it's your car, and they have no right. Once they have you car on the dolly, they'll try even hard to get you to take it to one of their shops (they get a kickback). And once there it can lead to a bigger headache.

It's best if you have your own mechanic/body shop, and ask them for a reference and call them. Even better is get CAA... at < $100 year, for 4 tows? It's hella worth it.

[Sepiraph]

Hey OP your lost/damaged stuffs are most likely covered under your house insurance, call them and find out.

Years ago my friend and I were moving back from Ottawa and he flipped the car after traveling close to 140km/h. EVERYTHING we had was gone, it basically scattered over 100m of snow off the highway, we even went back on site a day later and didn't really find anything intact. An entire CRT monitor essentially disintegrated (a good corner chunk of the car trunk was 'gone').

However in your case it was in the glove department so yes it is stolen but you should able to claim it anyway as lost.

[ukgirl]

Well when it comes down to it, as long as you're OK. Roll-overs usually don't end well.

As for the tow-trucks, lemme give a word of advice to everyone. After an accident, don't just let any tow truck driver take your car. They'll try to be pushy and what not, but it's your car, and they have no right. Once they have you car on the dolly, they'll try even hard to get you to take it to one of their shops (they get a kickback). And once there it can lead to a bigger headache.

It's best if you have your own mechanic/body shop, and ask them for a reference and call them. Even better is get CAA... at < $100 year, for 4 tows? It's hella worth it.

Ok - this is something I was extremely curious about. I have CAA so at first I asked the cops/firemen/EMts etc.. what do I do now? do I call CAA? and they all told me no, a tow truck is coming. so I thought... ok..maybe CAA is only for breakdowns not accidents. Then when the tow truck came, one ( nice) cop asked me "do you want this guy to tow your car? I was like.. I dont understand, what are my other options?? he said, I dont know, do you know someone else to tow it? I mean I was so confused...

To be honest, the cops were a bit weird, they didnt even give me a copy of the police report or a report number. The next day when I called insurance they were asking for it and I didnt have it. very strange...

[Ebtek]

99% it was the tow truck driver.
They have a bad rep , but they bring it on themselves.

+1

in my personal experience tow truck drivers are the sum of the earth. i would NEVER let one of those ones that just "hang around waiting for an accident to race to" (there's a creative name for them, i just cant remember) near my car.

ALWAYS call one and have it towed to your house, or your garage, or the dealership.

they will ALWAYS try to tow it to THEIR repair shop, and thats when all the real ripping off begins.

[HP_John]

That is disgusting that someone would do that to you, shameless.

[tyfriend]

its sad how I've never heard of a good experience with tow truck drivers.
nor meter maids.

Imagine if a tow truck driver and a meter maid had a baby.
biggest jerk in history :D

LOL!!!! :cheesygri

Ya, tow truck drivers have the stigma of being the scum of the earth. :twisted: I once got bend over backwards when they towed my car to their lot after specifically telling them to tow it to my house. :mad: Couldn't do much at the time because I was being rushed to the hospital for serious injuries. :(

[tyfriend]

Wow..that is a bit high considering tow rates are supposed to be capped in Toronto.

http://www.thestar.com/Wheels/article/179770
"Within the City of Toronto, accident tow rates for vehicles under 6,000 lb. (2,721 kg) are capped at $166 maximum from a city street, and $188 maximum from expressways such as the QEW, DVP, Gardiner or 400-series highways."

Dude that **** doesn't even matter. They have your car and they can do whatever they want to do to you. Your SOL, especially if it's a police contract tow.

[Ebtek]

Dude that **** doesn't even matter. They have your car and they can do whatever they want to do to you. Your SOL, especially if it's a police contract tow.

YOU might let them do whatever they want to YOU, if you're ignorant enough to think that way. anyone with a half a brain would disagree.

lol

[Ebtek]

Ok - this is something I was extremely curious about. I have CAA so at first I asked the cops/firemen/EMts etc.. what do I do now? do I call CAA? and they all told me no, a tow truck is coming. so I thought... ok..maybe CAA is only for breakdowns not accidents. Then when the tow truck came, one ( nice) cop asked me "do you want this guy to tow your car? I was like.. I dont understand, what are my other options?? he said, I dont know, do you know someone else to tow it? I mean I was so confused...

To be honest, the cops were a bit weird, they didnt even give me a copy of the police report or a report number. The next day when I called insurance they were asking for it and I didnt have it. very strange...

its safe to say that SOME officers are less than honest 100% of the time. perhaps he had an arrangement with this particular tow truck driver?

i question everything by nature, so take that for what you will :)

[tyfriend]

YOU might let them do whatever they want to YOU, if you're ignorant enough to think that way. anyone with a half a brain would disagree.

Oh wise one please tell me what do...

I'm in the hospital. I just survived a horrific car crash. I'm scheduled for multiple surgeries the next day and will be in the hospital for quite some time. The tow truck company has my car. They were supposed to bring it to my house 1 km from the scene of the accident after I told the cop to do so and he agreed. Nope, they brought it to their lot and are now charging storage fees and refuse to release it unless I come in person and pay the towing bill, which is ~$700 and increasing each day. WHAT DO I DO??

[maniacshopper]

Well when it comes down to it, as long as you're OK. Roll-overs usually don't end well.

As for the tow-trucks, lemme give a word of advice to everyone. After an accident, don't just let any tow truck driver take your car. They'll try to be pushy and what not, but it's your car, and they have no right. Once they have you car on the dolly, they'll try even hard to get you to take it to one of their shops (they get a kickback). And once there it can lead to a bigger headache.

It's best if you have your own mechanic/body shop, and ask them for a reference and call them. Even better is get CAA... at < $100 year, for 4 tows? It's hella worth it.

+1
glad the op escaped the accident without injury.
These tow-truck drivers are very pushy. My dad has gotten to about 3 accidents in the last 15 years. Too many I know. Last one was las year. I told him to bring it to Acura. My dad called me at the tow-truck guy's shop, probably one of his buddies, gets a referral fee. I told to bring it to Acura. But it was too late, my dad already signed the paperwork. I told him why bother calling me and asking what to do, of course after this is after asking if he was alright. He's old and memory's starting to fade.

Tow-truck driver's are at the same level as parking enforcement.
So true. if a tow-truck driver and a meter maid have an offspring, it's the evilest thing alive.

[Longobongo]

glad you were able to walk away without a scratch, be thankful nothing else serious/tragic happened, life is precious

this is a true eye opening experience, a couple of my family members had to get their cars towed but I don't think their stuff was taken so I guess they were lucky?

thanks for sharing your story and I'll be sure to use everybody's advice in the event I ever have to get my car towed *knocks on wood*