After a serious motor vehicle crash, there are so many things that need to be dealt with. Medical appointments. Insurance calls. Police reports. Repairs or, sometimes, the realization that your vehicle will never be repaired. And then there is something many people don’t talk about. Going back to the vehicle to collect your belongings. If your vehicle has been declared a total loss, you may be asked to visit a storage yard, towing facility or salvage yard to retrieve your personal items that were left inside. For some survivors, this may feel like a simple errand. For others, it can be one of the hardest parts of the entire experience. I know how difficult this can be because I experienced it myself.
After my crash, I was admitted to a trauma hospital and obviously wasn’t in a position to go to the vehicle myself. While I was dealing with my injuries and trying to understand what had happened, I was also worried about my electronic equipment and work-related belongings that had been left in the vehicle. Family members had to step in. They made a visit to the vehicle and retrieved my personal belongings and the equipment I was concerned about. I was later told that seeing my vehicle made them nauseous. Think about that for a moment. For me, the vehicle represented my belongings, my work equipment and something that needed to be dealt with. But for others, seeing the damaged vehicle was a visual reminder of how serious the crash had been. Everyone was experiencing the crash differently.
The Vehicle May Not Look Like Your Vehicle Anymore
A vehicle that was once part of your everyday life can look completely different after a serious crash. It may be crushed, broken, covered in debris or damaged in ways that are difficult to see. You may recognize the vehicle immediately but emotionally; you may struggle to connect what you are seeing with the vehicle you drove every day. And then you may be expected to open the door, reach inside and start gathering your belongings. That can be incredibly difficult. You might find a coffee mug. A pair of sunglasses. A child’s toy. A jacket. A photograph. A piece of mail. Something completely ordinary that suddenly carries an enormous emotional weight. These aren’t just things anymore. They can become reminders of what happened.
Sometimes Someone Else Has to Do It
Not every crash survivor is able or ready to go themselves. Sometimes a family member, friend or another trusted person goes to the yard on their behalf. This may be especially important when:
- You are still hospitalized.
- You have significant physical injuries.
- The crash occurred far from home.
- You are experiencing PTSD, anxiety or overwhelming emotional distress.
- The vehicle is difficult or unsafe to access.
- The crash involved a fatality.
- We are simply not ready to see the vehicle.
Sometimes the Crash Was Fatal
For families who have lost someone in a motor vehicle crash, retrieving personal belongings from the vehicle can be an entirely different experience. Walking toward the vehicle your loved one was travelling in may feel impossible. The items inside may be intensely personal and emotional. A purse. A wallet. A phone. A favourite coat. A child’s belongings. Something that was with them during their final moments. There may be no “right” way to handle this. If the task is too overwhelming, ask someone you trust to help. And if you are helping a grieving family member, remember that you don’t necessarily need to say the perfect thing. Sometimes simply saying, “I’ll go with you” or “I can do this for you” is enough.
Sometimes the Vehicle Is Hundreds of Kilometres Away
Not every crash happens close to home. You may be travelling when the crash occurs. Your vehicle may be towed to a facility in another city or even another province or state. That can make an already difficult situation much more complicated. Don’t assume you can simply show up and start taking things out. Call ahead. And before making a long trip, find out exactly:
- Where the vehicle is located.
- Who currently has possession of it.
- Whether an appointment is required.
- How long the vehicle will remain there.
- Whether you are permitted to access it.
- Whether someone else can retrieve your belongings on your behalf.
- Whether identification or authorization is required.
- Whether there are restrictions on what can be removed.
You May Not Be Allowed to Enter the Vehicle
This is an important safety consideration. A severely damaged vehicle may not be safe to enter. There could be broken glass, sharp metal, leaking fluids, unstable components, deployed airbags or other hazards. Ask the facility what you are permitted to do. If staff tell you that you cannot enter the vehicle, don’t put yourself at risk trying to retrieve one more item. Your safety comes first.
Make a List Before You Go
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a motor vehicle crash, you may be tired, overwhelmed, medicated, anxious or simply distracted by everything that has happened. Before going to the vehicle, make a list. Think about the obvious things:
- Clothing
- Sunglasses
- Phone chargers
- Bags and purses
- Children’s belongings
- Important documents
- Medication
- Work equipment
- Personal electronics
- Keys
- Identification
- Insurance or registration documents
- Sentimental items
Then think about the things you might not immediately remember. Check the trunk. Check the glove compartment. Check door pockets. Check under seats if you are permitted to do so safely. You may not get another opportunity.
Take Someone With You
If possible, don’t go alone. Having another person there can help with both the practical and emotional parts of the experience. They can help remember what you need. They can carry items. They can speak with staff if you’re overwhelmed. And sometimes, they can simply be there. Take your time. You may feel pressure to get everything done quickly. But you don’t have to rush. If you become overwhelmed, stop. Take a breath. This is not simply a trip to pick up your belongings. For many survivors, it is another encounter with the reality of what happened.
Consider Taking Photographs
Depending on the circumstances and what the facility permits, consider taking photographs of the vehicle before anything is removed. Your personal injury lawyer or insurer may already have photographs from the crash scene, towing facility or inspection process, so ask whether additional photographs are useful before disturbing anything. Do not put yourself in danger to get photographs. And don’t assume you need to document everything yourself. There may already be extensive documentation.
Don’t Throw Something Away Just Because It Looks Unimportant
Sometimes crash survivors discover items that seem insignificant. A damaged notebook. An old receipt. A broken pair of glasses. A child’s drawing. A small personal item. Before throwing something away, take a moment. If you’re unsure whether something could be relevant to an insurance claim, legal matter or investigation, ask first. Once something is discarded, it may be impossible to get it back.
Give Yourself Permission Not to Keep Everything
At the same time, you don’t have to keep every single thing. Some survivors want to save everything. Others want nothing to do with the vehicle or anything associated with it. Both reactions are understandable. You may decide to keep certain sentimental belongings and let the rest go. There is no correct way to decide.
If Someone Is Picking Things Up for You
If you are sending someone else, make things as easy as possible for them. Give them:
- Written authorization if required.
- The facility’s contact information.
- Your list of belongings.
- Instructions about what is important.
Ask them to photograph items before removing them if that would be helpful. And remember: they may find the experience difficult too. They may be seeing the damaged vehicle for the first time and they may not know what to expect. It’s important to talk about it beforehand.
It Can Be Emotional
You may think you’re prepared. You may have talked about it. You may even feel like you’re doing well. And then you see the vehicle. Suddenly, everything can come rushing back. The sound. The smell. The memories. The fear. The “what ifs.” The realization that this was the vehicle you were sitting in when your life changed. If that happens, it doesn’t mean you’re going backwards. It means you experienced something traumatic. Recovery isn’t always about avoiding difficult reminders. Sometimes it’s about getting through them one step at a time, with the right support around you.
Don’t wait too long
Some towing and storage yards charge daily storage fees while a vehicle is sitting on their property. After a crash, these charges can add up quickly. Ask the yard or your insurer how long the vehicle can remain there, whether storage charges are being incurred, and who is responsible for them. If the vehicle has been written off, find out what needs to happen next and arrange the retrieval of personal belongings as soon as reasonably possible.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
The practical side of a crash can sometimes feel endless. There are things that need to be picked up, forms that need to be completed, calls that need to be made and decisions that need to be made before you’re emotionally ready to make them. If going back to your vehicle feels like too much, ask for help. Ask a family member. Ask a friend. Ask your lawyer or insurance representative what needs to happen.
And if someone asks you to retrieve belongings for them, remember that you may be doing much more than picking up a few personal items. You may be helping someone take one small step forward after one of the worst days of their life. There is no right way to feel when you see the vehicle again. There is only your way. And that’s okay.
S. Dawne McKay is a survivor of a horrific crash that changed her life forever. Dawne shares her personal journey as a Crash Survivor Blogger and also collaborates with crash survivors as Guest Bloggers allowing them an opportunity to share their stories. She is also the author of the book, “Talk Crash to Me – What to Expect After Surviving a Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery” which is available for purchase on Amazon.
The Crash Support Network is a truly unique platform that brings together survivor-focused support and road safety education in one accessible space. Created for individuals and families affected by motor vehicle collisions, it offers online support groups, a crash survivor blog, a quarterly newsletter “ Sharing Our Recovery,” and a growing library of informative articles. Built on a foundation of connection and compassion while amplifying the importance of road safety, the Crash Support Network goes beyond a website; it’s a community united around support, education and making our roads safer for everyone.
