What To Do When You're Stuck In An Emergency Towing Situation
Being stuck on the side of the road with a broken-down car is no fun for anyone. It can be a scary and overwhelming experience, especially if you're alone in a place you're not familiar with. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to ensure your safety if you find yourself in an emergency towing situation. Read on for more information.
Stay Calm and Don't Panic
It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're stuck on the side of the road with a broken-down car, but it's important to stay calm and not panic. Panicking only leads to irrational decisions, so try your best to remain level-headed. Take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that help is on the way. Focus on what needs to be done to get back up and running as quickly as possible. If you can, keep yourself busy by doing something productive like gathering paperwork or making a list of things you need to do after the tow.
Call a Tow Truck Service
Being stranded on the highway or in a remote area can be dangerous, so it's important to call a tow truck service as soon as you can. Try to get the exact location of where your car is stuck so that the tow truck driver can find you quickly. When making the call, explain in detail what's wrong with your car and if you have any special requests. This will give the tow truck driver a better idea of what to expect when they arrive.
While you may be tempted to try and fix the car yourself, it's probably best to just wait until a tow truck arrives. A tow truck driver is experienced in dealing with roadside emergencies like yours and will be able to get you to an auto repair shop quickly and safely. Since you're already under duress, you could accidentally damage something, so it's best to leave complicated repairs for the professionals.
Be sure to ask the tow truck service about their rates and services before agreeing to have them tow you. Some companies may offer special discounts or packages for first-time customers, so make sure to ask about those as well.
Move Your Car Away From Traffic If Possible
If it's safe to do so (and only if it is safe!), try moving your car away from traffic so that it won't be hit by passing cars while awaiting assistance.
Some cars have a feature that allows you to manually push the car off the side of the road without being inside yourself, so if you have this option, make sure to use it. This will also make it easier for the tow truck driver when they arrive, as they won't need to maneuver around other vehicles to access yours.
If you can't physically move the car, at least put on your hazard lights to warn approaching drivers. You could even place a warning sign in front of the car to alert other drivers.
Contact a local towing service to learn more.