> **Quick Answer:** You usually have the right to choose your own tow truck after a highway accident, but police can override that if your car is blocking traffic and you can't reach a company fast enough. If the officer calls a rotation tow, you can often redirect to your preferred shop before it gets to an impound lot. Act quickly, call your choice first, and know that "police-called" does not automatically mean you lose control of where your car goes.
## Do Police Have the Right to Call a Tow Truck Without Asking Me?
Yes, police can call a tow truck without your consent when your vehicle is a hazard or blocking a lane. In most states, officers have authority to dispatch a "rotation tow," which is a company from a pre-approved list the local department cycles through. This does not mean you have no say. If your car is drivable, moved to the shoulder, and not blocking traffic, most officers will give you time to call your own company.
The situation moves fast. If you're on a busy interstate with lanes blocked, the officer will often make the call before you've even finished talking to the other driver. That's their legal authority, and arguing about it on the shoulder is not a battle you'll win in the moment.
## What Can I Actually Do If I Want to Choose My Own Tow Company?
Tell the officer immediately, before they get on the radio, that you have a preferred tow company or roadside assistance through your insurer or AAA. That's your best window. Once a rotation tow is dispatched, canceling it may still cost you a dry run fee, typically $50 to $100, even if they never touch your car.
If a rotation tow is already en route, ask the officer where the vehicle is being taken. You have the right to redirect it to a specific repair shop before it hits an impound lot, and you should do that before the truck drops the car. Once a vehicle is on an impound lot, you're paying daily storage fees, often $40 to $80 per day, on top of the tow. For more on what those release fees can look like, see [Tow Truck Impound Lot Release Fee: Who Covers That?](/tow-truck-impound-lot-release-fee-who-covers-that/).
## Who Pays for the Tow If the Police Called It?
The tow bill falls on the vehicle owner unless the other driver is clearly at fault and their liability insurance accepts the claim quickly, which almost never happens at the scene. You pay the tow company directly, then pursue reimbursement from the at-fault party's insurer or your own policy. If you're not at fault, document everything: get the tow company's name, invoice number, and total charge before you sign anything.
Rotation tow rates are sometimes regulated by the city or county, but they can still be higher than market rate. In cities like Chicago or Miami, a post-accident tow can run $150 to $400 depending on distance and whether a flatbed is required. Your insurance may cover it. Check whether you have roadside assistance or comprehensive coverage before assuming you're fully out of pocket. For a breakdown of who actually pays towing costs after a not-at-fault accident, read [Who Pays Tow Truck Cost When Not at Fault in an Accident](/who-pays-tow-truck-cost-when-not-at-fault-accident/).
## Is It a Scam If a Tow Truck Shows Up Before I Called Anyone?
Sometimes. Predatory towing operators, sometimes called "bandit towers," monitor police scanners and show up at accident scenes unin
*Photo: Pexels*
vited. They pressure stressed drivers into signing authorization forms immediately, then charge inflated rates. If a tow truck arrives and you did not call them and the police did not direct them to you, you are not obligated to use them.
Do not sign anything from an unsolicited tow operator. Ask the responding officer if they dispatched that truck. If the answer is no, the driver has no legal standing to tow your vehicle. This practice is illegal in several states but it still happens. For a full breakdown of how this works, see [Tow Truck Showed Up at Your Accident Without Being Called: What's Actually Happening](/car-accident-tow-truck-showed-up-without-being-called-scam/).
## What Are the Most Important Things to Do Right After the Accident?
Get clear of traffic first, then document before the tow truck moves anything. Use your phone to photograph the positions of both vehicles, all damage, skid marks, and the surrounding road. Once a tow truck moves a car, that physical evidence is gone.
Then make these calls in order: 911 if there are injuries, your insurance company or roadside assistance line, and your preferred tow company if the officer has not already dispatched one. Do not rely solely on the officer to manage where your car ends up. That's your property and your decision to make, within the limits of what the road situation allows.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Can I refuse the tow truck the police called?**
A: You can refuse a rotation tow if your car is not blocking traffic and you are able to call your own company in a reasonable time. If the officer determines your vehicle is a hazard, refusal is not really an option without risking a citation. Your best move is to act before they make the call, not after.
**Q: Will my insurance cover the tow after a highway accident?**
A: It depends on your policy. Roadside assistance riders and comprehensive coverage often include towing. If the other driver is at fault, their liability insurance should reimburse you, but you'll likely pay upfront and file for reimbursement. Call your insurer from the scene if you can.
**Q: What if I don't have roadside assistance and can't afford the tow?**
A: You still owe the tow company once they've moved the vehicle. Not paying can result in a lien on your car and escalating storage fees. See [What Happens If I Can't Pay the Tow Truck Driver Right Now](/what-happens-if-i-cant-pay-the-tow-truck-driver/) for your actual options in that situation.
**Q: Can the tow company take my car somewhere I didn't agree to?**
A: Once you sign the authorization form, the company can take your car to the destination listed on that form. Read it before signing and write in your preferred shop if it's blank. If you're incapacitated at the scene and can't authorize anything, the car will typically go to the company's lot until you can direct it.
**Q: How do I find out which tow company the police called so I can contact them?**
A: Ask the responding officer directly. They are required to provide you the name of the company dispatched. You can also call the non-emergency line for that police department's dispatch and request the information from the incident report number.
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Car Accident on Highway: Do Police Call the Tow Truck or Can You Choose?
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