Accident Recovery Explained – What Happens After A Crash (And What We Do)

What Is Accident Recovery? (Simple Definition)

Accident recovery is the service of transporting a vehicle that has been damaged in a collision from the accident scene to a place of safety – usually a garage for repairs, a secure storage depot, or your home.

When you need accident recovery: You've been in a collision, your car has been hit while parked, you've hit an animal (deer, livestock), your car has been damaged by road debris or potholes (to the point it cannot be driven), or your car has been vandalised and cannot be driven.

What accident recovery is NOT: NOT emergency services (if anyone is injured, call 999 first). NOT legal advice (we cannot tell you who is at fault). NOT claims management (we do not handle your insurance claim). NOT police assistance. NOT debris cleanup.

What we DO: Recover your vehicle safely, transport it to a garage or storage, store it securely, provide a detailed receipt for your insurance, release to authorised parties.

The goal: Get your damaged vehicle to safety so you can deal with insurance and repairs.

What To Do After A Car Accident – Step By Step

Step 1 – Check for injuries (first priority): Check yourself and passengers. If anyone is hurt, call 999 immediately. Do not move injured people unless they are in immediate danger.

Step 2 – Get to safety (if possible): If the car is driveable, move it to the hard shoulder (motorway) or side of the road. If not, hazard lights on, stay in your car (if safe). On a motorway, get out on the passenger side and get behind the barrier.

Step 3 – Call 999 if needed: If the road is blocked, if anyone is injured, if there is a fire or fuel spill, or if the other driver has fled – call 999.

Step 4 – Exchange details with the other driver (if safe): Names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance details, vehicle registrations. Take photos of both vehicles, the scene, and any damage.

Step 5 – Call your insurance company: Report the accident as soon as possible. They will advise next steps (repair garage, assessor, etc.).

Step 6 – Call us for accident recovery: 07863 737343 – tell us where you are, what happened, and where you want the car to go. We'll dispatch a flatbed truck.

Step 7 – Wait safely: Stay behind the barrier or away from traffic. Do not stand near the damaged vehicle – it may be unstable.

Step 8 – Recovery arrives: We film walkaround video, load carefully, transport you safely, deliver to your destination.

Accident Recovery vs Standard Breakdown Recovery – What's The Difference?

The bottom line: Accident recovery requires more care, more paperwork, and more patience. See our breakdown recovery page for standard breakdowns.

Total time (scene to delivery): Usually 1-3 hours, depending on distance and police involvement. We send a live tracking link.

Accident Recovery For Different Types Of Damage

Insurance And Accident Recovery – How It Works

Do I need to claim on my insurance for recovery? Minor accident, low damage, you're at fault: maybe not – claim will increase premiums for 3-5 years. Consider paying for recovery and repairs yourself. Major accident, high damage: yes – claim. Not at fault: yes – claim on their insurance. Hit-and-run: yes – claim on your insurance (comprehensive cover required). Animal strike: yes – comprehensive cover usually covers animal strikes.

How the insurance claims process works (accident recovery part): You have an accident → call 999 if needed → call us for recovery → we recover your car, provide a receipt, you pay us → you claim on insurance (submit receipt) → insurance sends assessor to inspect car at our storage yard or garage → insurance authorises repairs or write-off → you get your car back or a payout.

How Long Can You Store A Car After An Accident?

We can store your car for as long as needed – days, weeks, or months while insurance processes the claim.

Storage fees: Daily rate: from £15-25 per day (depending on vehicle size). Weekly rate: discounted (call for quote). Monthly rate: discounted (call for quote).

What's included: Secure, locked yard (11 Corby Gate, Corby). CCTV monitored 24/7. Undercover storage available (limited). Vehicle remains exactly as recovered (no unauthorised access).

Release process: Your insurance authorises release (or you authorise directly) → you or insurer calls us → we verify identity → outstanding storage fees paid → vehicle released.

Accident Recovery Costs – What Should You Expect To Pay?

Typical UK cost ranges: Accident recovery (local, up to 10 miles): £90-150. Town to town (10-25 miles): £110-180. Motorway: £140-220 + safety fee. Wheel skates: +£20-40. Storage: £15-25 per day.

What affects cost: Distance, location (motorway = more expensive), damage severity (wheel skates = extra time), storage duration, vehicle size.

For detailed pricing, see our car recovery cost guide.

What To Photograph After An Accident (For Insurance)

At the scene (if safe): All vehicles involved, number plates, damage close-ups, damage wide shots, the road layout, road signs and markings, weather conditions, injuries (if consented).

At the storage yard or garage (after recovery): All damage again (compare with scene photos), under the car (suspension damage, fluid leaks), inside the car (airbags deployed, interior damage).

We film a walkaround video before loading – this is your best evidence of the car's condition at the accident scene.