Car troubles can be very frustrating, especially when they happen at the most inopportune times. If you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, you may be tempted to call for emergency towing services right away. But before you do, remember to do the following to ensure you remain safe and that your towing experience goes as smoothly as possible.
Get your vehicle safely off the road
In the event that your vehicle becomes disabled and is blocking traffic, it’s important to take measures to get your vehicle out of the way as soon as possible. If your vehicle can be safely driven, pull over to the shoulder of the road or into a nearby parking lot. However, be aware of potential hazards such as soft shoulders or steep drop-offs. If you choose to pull into a parking lot, make sure it’s well-lit and relatively busy. Another option is to push your vehicle to the side of the road if it’s not able to be driven. You’ll need an extra set of hands to help with this. Regardless of what you do, always be aware of traffic and take measures to ensure everyone’s safety. Difficult situations can be stressful, but staying calm and acting quickly and responsibly is important.
Decide whether you need towing or roadside assistance
When you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, it’s important to decide whether you need towing or roadside assistance. Most people tend to mix up the two services, but they are actually quite different. Towing is when your car needs to be physically transported to a nearby service station or garage. On the other hand, roadside assistance is when someone comes to your aid to help you fix your car on the spot. Your insurance company may be able to help cover this. You can always call and ask. If you’re not sure which service you need, it’s best to take caution and ask the operator for advice.
Determine your location
When you finally decide to call for towing companies, be prepared to give the towing company dispatcher your exact location. Remember that you’ll be required to provide them with a specific address or directions to your location. This might include street names, cross streets, and landmarks. If you’re not sure where you are, take a moment to look around and see if there are any landmarks nearby that can help the dispatcher pinpoint your location. You can also ask around to see if anyone knows where you are. This is especially true when you find yourself in a rural area.
Remove valuables from your vehicle
When your car is towed, anything inside it will go with it. This includes anything in the trunk, backseat, or passenger seat. So before you call for towing services, be sure to remove any valuables from your vehicle. This includes things like your purse, wallet, laptop, and phone. You don’t want to leave these items behind and risk having them stolen while your car is out of sight. If you have any valuables that can’t be removed from your vehicle, be sure to let the dispatcher know so they can take extra care when loading your car onto the tow truck.
Have your insurance information ready
If you have road assistance through your auto insurance company, now is the time to call them and let them know you need to use it. Be sure to have your insurance information ready so the dispatcher can verify your coverage. If you plan to pay for the service through your insurance, the towing service will ask for your insurance details when they arrive. This will help expedite the process and ensure you’re getting the tow you need.
When should you call an emergency towing company?
Various situations may arise that would require you to call a towing service. Some of these include:
Engine breakdown– If your engine stops working or starts making strange noises, it’s time to call for a tow.
Flat tire– If you have a flat tire, you can usually change it yourself if you have a spare. But if you don’t know how to change a tire or don’t have a spare, then it’s time to call towing companies.
Accident– If you’ve been in an accident, your car may be too damaged to drive. In this case, you’ll need to call for a tow truck driver to take your vehicle to the nearest service station.
Empty gas tank– If you run out of gas, a towing company can bring you a can of gas to get back on the road.
How long before the tow truck drivers arrive?
The average response time for a towing company is 30-60 minutes. However, this can vary depending on the time of day and location. If you’re in a rural area, it may take the tow truck company longer to reach you. And if you call during rush hour or in the middle of the night, it may also take longer to get your vehicle towed.
Need an emergency tow?
At Elite Service Recovery & Heavy Duty Towing Recovery & Towing, we offer 24/hour towing services for all your emergency towing needs in Sulphur, LA. We have a fleet of tow trucks that can handle any vehicle, from small cars to large trucks. Our family-owned company of experienced team members is standing by to dispatch a tow truck driver to your location as soon as possible. Just give us a call, and let us do the rest!
Here are the related services we offer:
- Medium-duty towing for service trucks, box trucks, flatbed trucks, welding trucks, and more
- Heavy-duty towing for larger vehicles such as garbage trucks, motor homes,
- Recovery and transport services
Check out our website, Elite Service Recovery & Heavy Duty Towing, on Google!
