Road Justice Tip: Do not leave your bike sitting on a tow lot and hope someone else deals with it. Every day you wait costs you money. Get it moved to a secure location you control as quickly as possible.
Hip Fire: Quick Bullets Nailing The Answers Covered in this FAQ
(detail with sources below)
- Act fast. Towing and storage fees pile up every single day — and some lots charge $20–$50+ per day.
- Contact the tow company or Vehicle Storage Facility (VSF) immediately. You will need proof of ownership (title or registration), photo ID, and insurance info.
- Texas caps certain towing and storage charges under the Transportation Code, but not all — know your rights.
- If the insurer declares your bike “totaled,” they may want to take the title. You can negotiate to keep the bike for its salvage value.
- If the bike is drivable but damaged, arrange a private tow to your preferred repair shop. Do NOT leave it sitting on an unauthorized lot.
- Do NOT authorize any repairs until your lawyer or insurance adjuster has inspected the bike — it is evidence.
A client-focused Texas motorcycle accident lawyer can step in quickly to help you recover your bike, challenge improper storage fees, and ensure your property is protected throughout the claims process.
The Clock Starts Ticking Immediately
After a crash, your motorcycle often ends up at a tow yard or a Vehicle Storage Facility (VSF). And the moment it arrives, the storage meter starts running. Some of these lots charge $20 to $50 or more per day. If you wait a week or two to deal with it, you could be looking at hundreds or even thousands of dollars in storage fees — on top of everything else you are dealing with. Time is money here, literally.
Step 1: Find Out Where Your Bike Is
If your bike was towed from the crash scene, the police report (CR-3) should list the tow company’s name. You can also call the police department’s non-emergency line and ask where the vehicle was taken. If it was towed to a VSF, Texas law requires the facility to notify you — but do not wait for that notice. Be proactive.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
To pick up your motorcycle, you will typically need:
- Proof of ownership — your title or current registration.
- Photo ID — a valid driver’s license or state ID.
- Proof of insurance.
- Cash or a payment method for the towing and storage fees.
Step 3: Know Your Rights on Fees
Texas regulates some towing and storage charges under the Texas Transportation Code and rules enforced by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). For non-consent tows (where you did not request the tow), there are caps on certain fees. But the rules can be complicated, and not every charge is capped. If the fees seem outrageously high, ask for an itemized bill and check it against TDLR’s published fee schedules. If you’re being overcharged or pressured by a tow yard or insurer, a skilled Texas motorcycle accident lawyer can review the fees, challenge improper charges, and help ensure you’re not taken advantage of during the claims process.
Source: Texas Transportation Code Chapter 2308; Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Vehicle Towing Rules
Step 4: If Your Bike Is Totaled
If the insurance company determines that your motorcycle is a total loss (meaning the cost to repair exceeds the bike’s value), they will typically offer you the bike’s actual cash value and ask for the title. You have the right to negotiate that value — look up comparable bikes for sale in your area to make sure their offer is fair. You also have the option to keep the bike and receive the payout minus the salvage value, but you will then have a salvage title if you ever want to ride or sell it again.
Step 5: Do Not Repair the Bike Yet
This is important: your damaged motorcycle is evidence. Before you authorize any repairs, make sure your lawyer or the insurance adjuster has had a chance to inspect and document the bike’s condition. The damage pattern, the impact points, and the condition of the frame — all of this can support your injury claim and help prove what happened in the crash. If you’ve been in a collision, contact a seasoned motorcycle accident lawyer in Texas as soon as possible to ensure your bike is properly preserved and your claim is fully protected before any repairs begin.