After a collision the priority is people, then the road, then the vehicle. Once everyone is safe and the police or ambulance have been called if needed, getting the damaged vehicle off the road properly matters for both safety and your insurance claim.
At the scene
Switch on hazards, move to a safe place away from traffic and call 999 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked. Photograph the vehicles where they came to rest, the damage and the road layout before anything moves, and exchange names, addresses, insurers and registrations with the other driver. Do not admit fault, and do not drive a vehicle with deployed airbags, fluid leaks or visible structural damage.
Who arranges recovery
Your insurer will often arrange recovery, but if the vehicle is blocking the road, leaking or in a dangerous position it needs moving now. We can uplift it on a flatbed with a winch, even if it will not roll, and take it to a body shop, your home or secure storage at our yard near Redruth. Be wary of unbranded operators who turn up uninvited; they often charge daily storage.
Paperwork and cost
Where the accident was not your fault, recovery and storage are usually claimable. We give you a clear price before dispatch and a record of the job for your insurer. We work 24/7 across Cornwall with no membership required — call 07874 130193 and tell us whether the vehicle rolls and whether any wheels are damaged.
What to do right now
- Check everyone's OK and call 999 if anyone is injured or the road is blocked
- Take photographs of vehicle positions, damage, and the road layout before anything moves
- Exchange details with the other driver — name, address, insurer, and vehicle reg
- Call your insurer's emergency line, then call us — we'll coordinate uplift
- Don't admit fault at the scene, regardless of how clear it looks
What not to do
- Don't drive a vehicle with airbag deployment, fluid leaks, or visible structural damage
- Don't leave the scene without exchanging full details — that's a separate offence
- Don't accept a verbal repair offer from the other driver instead of going through insurance
- Don't let an unbranded 'recovery' company that turns up uninvited take your car — they often charge storage daily
What affects the cost
- Insurer-approved recovery is usually paid directly by the insurance — no out-of-pocket
- Out-of-hours accident response carries a small premium
- Storage fees apply if the vehicle isn't claimed within 7 days
Equipment we bring
- Flatbed recovery with winch for non-rolling damaged vehicles
- Spill kit for fluid leaks at the scene
- Photographic documentation kit (timestamped scene shots for insurer)
- Secure overnight storage at our Redruth yard
Questions drivers ask
Do I pay if my non-fault accident is in Cornwall?
If you have comprehensive insurance with breakdown/accident recovery, the cost is usually billed to your insurer directly. We'll quote you upfront before dispatch and confirm what your policy covers.
Will you photograph the scene for my insurance claim?
Yes — our driver will timestamp photos of vehicle positions, damage, debris, and road layout before we uplift. These often make the difference in disputed liability claims.
What if my car is leaking fuel or oil after the accident?
We carry spill kits and treat fluid leaks as a priority — both for safety and to avoid you being charged for road-cleaning by Highways. Call us immediately if there's a leak.
Can you store my damaged car until the insurer arranges inspection?
Yes — secure overnight storage at our Redruth yard. The first 24 hours are included in the recovery; daily storage applies after that and is usually claimable.
A non-fault accident in Cornwall is a frustrating, time-consuming process — and choosing the right recovery operator at the scene affects how smoothly the claim runs. Broadside Recovery documents the scene properly, uplifts cleanly, and delivers to a body shop your insurer accepts, with no upfront cost when claimed.