A broken-down car is not only inconvenient for the driver; it can also endanger other motorists if left on the road. Attempt to move it to the side of the road, away from traffic, if at all possible. If you are unable to do so, take the following actions.
1. STAY WITH THE VEHICLE.
Always try to move your vehicle to the side of the road if possible after a breakdown or accident. Move your head to your shoulder and then as far to the right as you can. If your automobile is immovable, however, dial 911 and stay belted inside until aid arrives. Turn off the vehicle, especially if you've been in a collision.
2. ALERT FOR UPCOMING TRAFFIC
Always turn on your hazard lights to alert those approaching your car that you're in trouble. If you have a white or bright cloth, attach it to the outside of your car, facing traffic, to indicate that you require assistance. If you have some in your trunk, setting up a few traffic cones around the vehicle is also a smart idea. In low-visibility situations, such as fog or nighttime driving, the additional warning can be quite useful.
3. SEEK OUT THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHER DRIVERS.
When you're trapped in the middle of the road, you usually don't want to flag down other drivers. Drivers may not be able to respond quickly enough and may collide with you or your vehicle. However, if another driver has flares or warning triangles that can be placed in the road, do so. You might alternatively ask a bystander to walk further up the road and away from your vehicle to use a flare or a flag to alert oncoming drivers.
4. REMAIN CALM
Maintain a cool demeanour while waiting for assistance. This is especially critical if you have passengers in the vehicle. In the event that someone is injured, call 911. Moving an injured individual should only be done if they are in greater danger if they are not relocated. Apply direct pressure with a cloth or sterile dressing if there is a wound. If a foreign object is lodged in the wound, do not attempt to remove it. If someone isn't breathing and you've been trained in CPR, start with compressions. Continue CPR until a qualified emergency response comes and takes over.
Your broken-down car will be taken away from the area as soon as assistance arrives. Obtain and record crucial information, such as the names of other drivers and passengers, license plate numbers, insurance information, the year, make, and model of other cars, the accident location, and the name and badge number of the reporting officer, if you were involved in an accident. Take shots of the sight with your camera or smartphone if you have one. When submitting an insurance claim, this information will come in helpful.
Reasonable and Quality Towing Near Me:
Anyone who owns a car has dealt with a tow truck near me at some point. You'll be able to narrow down your search with their help, regardless of how good or horrible their experience was.
Many of these businesses offer quick response times, but you'll only find out how quickly they respond if you have an actual emergency. It's preferable to use a tow truck near me that provides 24-hour service and has a large fleet of trucks to handle many occurrences at once.
After you've made a list of potential companies, go to their websites or social media profiles to learn more about them. If they provide a list of available services online, along with pricing, that's a good sign. This is usually where they share information about their qualifications, such as licenses and training. They should be bonded and insured as well.
You should also read user reviews on sites like Facebook, Google, and Yelp. You should not only look at positive reviews but also how they respond to negative ones. You may get a sense of the tow truck near me customer service by watching how they handle negative criticism.
While some businesses have a strong online presence, others may not have any information available. In any event, don't be afraid to phone them and inquire about their services. They should be willing to chat with you on the phone about their qualifications and services.
Did you have to make several phone calls before someone answered? During the call, were they courteous and friendly? Small things like this give you a sense of how competent they are and what you may anticipate from them in the future if you require their services.