If your vehicle has been in an accident, you should have it towed instead of driving it whenever you see significant damage, leaking fluids, damaged tires or wheels, steering problems, brake problems, overheating, broken lights, or anything that makes the vehicle feel unsafe.
After more than 30 years of towing damaged vehicles, my advice is simple: do not let the fact that a car still starts convince you that it is safe to drive. Accident damage is not always obvious from the driver’s seat.
A Car Can Run and Still Be Unsafe to Drive
One of the biggest mistakes drivers make after a collision is assuming that a running engine means the vehicle is roadworthy.
An accident can damage parts that have nothing to do with whether the engine starts.
For example, collision damage can affect:
- Steering
- Suspension
- Wheels and tires
- Brakes
- Cooling-system components
- Lights and signals
- Fluid lines and reservoirs
- Body panels that may rub against a tire
Therefore, the real question after an accident is not simply, “Will the car start?” The better question is, “Can I safely control and operate this vehicle on the road?”
1. Have the Car Towed If Steering Feels Different
If the steering wheel suddenly sits off-center, the car pulls sharply to one side, steering feels unusually loose, or the wheels do not appear straight, do not ignore it.
An impact can damage steering and suspension components even when the exterior damage appears relatively minor.
If you cannot confidently steer the vehicle, it should not be driven in normal traffic.
2. Do Not Drive With Damaged Wheels or Tires
Look carefully at the wheels and tires before moving the vehicle.
Signs that towing may be necessary include:
- A flat or shredded tire
- A bent wheel
- A wheel sitting at an unusual angle
- A tire rubbing against damaged bodywork
- Visible suspension damage
- A wheel that will not turn normally
Even if a damaged tire still holds air, the impact may have weakened it. Likewise, a wheel or suspension component can fail after you begin driving.
If you are unsure about the condition of a damaged wheel or tire, towing is the safer option.
3. Watch for Leaking Fluids
After an accident, look underneath and around the vehicle for fresh fluid.
A collision can damage the radiator, cooling system, engine components, transmission, or other fluid-carrying parts.
If you see a substantial leak, do not assume you can simply drive a few miles to a repair shop.
Continuing to drive with major fluid loss can cause additional mechanical damage. In some situations, leaking fluids can also create a safety hazard.
If you see fuel, heavy smoke, fire, or another immediate danger, move away from the vehicle and call 911.
4. Have the Vehicle Towed If It Starts Overheating
Front-end collisions can damage a radiator, cooling fan, hoses, or other cooling-system components.
Therefore, even a vehicle that initially starts normally may begin overheating shortly after the accident.
If the temperature gauge rises, a warning light appears, or you see steam, stop driving as soon as you can do so safely.
Do not open a hot cooling system. Hot pressurized coolant can cause serious burns.
At that point, towing is usually a much better decision than risking severe engine damage.
5. Make Sure the Brakes Feel Normal
Any concern involving the braking system should be taken seriously.
Do not drive if the brake pedal feels unusual, the vehicle does not stop normally, warning lights appear, or you suspect damage near a wheel or brake assembly.
You need predictable steering and braking before entering traffic.
If either system feels questionable, have the vehicle transported instead.
6. Check Headlights, Brake Lights, and Turn Signals
Accident damage can also affect the lights other drivers depend on to see you and understand what you are doing.
Before considering driving, check the headlights, brake lights, and turn signals when it is safe to do so.
Broken lights become especially important at night, during rain, or in other low-visibility conditions.
If damage makes the vehicle difficult for other motorists to see, towing may be the safer choice.
7. Listen for New Noises
Do not ignore noises that began immediately after the collision.
Grinding, scraping, clunking, rubbing, or other unusual sounds can indicate that damaged parts are contacting a wheel, tire, suspension component, or another moving part.
If something sounds wrong after an accident, do not assume it will make it to the repair shop simply because the vehicle moves.
8. Look for Body Panels Rubbing Against the Tires
A damaged bumper, fender, or inner wheel-well component can bend into the path of a tire.
That may not seem serious while the vehicle is parked. However, once the wheel turns or the suspension moves, the damaged panel can rub against the tire.
This can damage the tire and make the vehicle unsafe to drive.
9. Do Not Drive If the Airbags Deployed and the Vehicle Has Significant Damage
Airbag deployment usually means the vehicle experienced a meaningful impact.
Airbag deployment by itself does not tell you everything about the mechanical condition of the car. However, when it occurs with significant collision damage, I would be very cautious about driving the vehicle afterward.
There may be steering, suspension, electrical, sensor, or structural issues that you cannot identify from a quick roadside inspection.
10. When Is It Possibly Safe to Drive After a Minor Accident?
Not every small collision automatically requires towing.
A vehicle may potentially be driveable when the damage is truly minor and all of the following appear normal:
- The vehicle starts and runs normally
- Steering feels normal
- Brakes work normally
- All wheels and tires appear intact
- No significant fluids are leaking
- The engine is not overheating
- No damaged panels are interfering with the tires
- Required lights and signals function
- There are no unusual noises or vibrations
However, a roadside inspection cannot identify every hidden problem. If you have any doubt about the condition of the vehicle, towing removes the risk of discovering a serious problem while you are already back in traffic.
What Should You Do Immediately After an Accident?
Before worrying about towing, deal with immediate safety concerns.
If anyone is injured, the vehicles are creating a dangerous roadway situation, there is a fire, or another immediate emergency exists, call 911.
When it is safe, move away from active traffic and follow instructions from law enforcement or emergency responders at the scene.
Once the immediate situation is under control, you can determine whether the vehicle needs accident towing.
Where Can an Accident-Damaged Vehicle Be Towed?
Depending on the situation, an accident-damaged vehicle may be transported to:
- A collision repair shop
- A mechanic
- A dealership
- A residence
- A storage location
- Another authorized destination
If the destination is farther away, our Long-Distance Towing page explains more about transporting vehicles beyond a short local trip.
What Information Should You Give the Tow Truck Driver?
When calling after an accident, try to provide:
- Your exact location
- Vehicle year, make, model, and color
- A description of the collision damage
- Whether the vehicle starts
- Whether the vehicle rolls, steers, and brakes
- Whether any wheels or tires are damaged
- Whether fluids are leaking
- Where you want the vehicle transported
Photos may also help explain significant damage or an unusual vehicle position.
What I Recommend After 30+ Years of Towing Accident-Damaged Cars
Drivers understandably want to avoid the inconvenience of having a vehicle towed. However, driving a damaged vehicle can turn one problem into two.
You may cause additional damage to the car, or a steering, tire, suspension, cooling, or braking problem could become dangerous once you enter traffic.
My rule is straightforward: if you cannot confidently say that the car steers, stops, rolls, and operates normally after the accident, have it towed.
When the choice is between an inconvenient tow and taking an unnecessary safety risk, choose the tow.
Need Accident Towing in Orlando or Central Florida?
If your vehicle has been damaged in an accident and you do not believe it is safe to drive, call Orlando Tow & Recovery.
Tell us where the vehicle is located, what was damaged, whether it rolls and steers, and where you want it transported. Then, we can discuss the appropriate service and current availability.
We serve Orlando and selected surrounding Central Florida service areas.
About Wrecker Driver
Wrecker Driver shares practical towing, roadside assistance, vehicle recovery, and road safety advice backed by more than 30 years of experience.
