A vehicle breakdown can happen without warning. You may be driving to work, heading home late at night, or traveling on a busy road when your car suddenly stops working. Knowing what to do during an emergency can help protect you, your passengers, and your vehicle.
If your car cannot be driven safely, calling a professional towing company is often the safest choice. Lava Towing Forney provides 24/7 emergency towing in Forney and can help when a vehicle breaks down, is involved in an accident, or cannot safely continue driving.
Here are some important emergency towing tips every driver should know.
1. Move Your Vehicle to a Safe Location If Possible
If your vehicle is still moving, try to get it as far away from traffic as possible.
A parking lot, wide shoulder, or other safe area is better than stopping in an active traffic lane. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see that your vehicle is disabled.
Do not take unnecessary risks to move the vehicle. If the car is severely damaged, smoking, leaking fluids, or cannot be controlled safely, stay where you are and call for professional help.
2. Turn on Your Hazard Lights
Hazard lights make your disabled vehicle easier for other drivers to see.
This is especially important at night, during rain, or on roads with heavy traffic. If you have reflective warning triangles or emergency lights, use them only when it is safe to do so.
Your first priority should always be staying away from moving traffic.
3. Decide Whether You Need Towing or Roadside Assistance
Not every roadside problem requires a tow.
For example, a flat tire may only require a tire change. A dead battery may need a jump start. If you accidentally run out of fuel, emergency fuel delivery may solve the problem.
Lava Towing Forney offers emergency roadside assistance for common problems such as battery issues, tire problems, fuel emergencies, and vehicle lockouts.
However, towing may be the better option if the vehicle has a serious mechanical problem, has been damaged in an accident, or cannot be driven safely.
4. Do Not Keep Driving a Damaged Vehicle
One of the biggest mistakes drivers make after a breakdown is trying to drive the vehicle anyway.
If your engine is overheating, your brakes are not working properly, the steering feels unsafe, or the vehicle has suffered accident damage, continuing to drive can make the problem worse.
It may also put you and other drivers at risk.
When you are unsure whether the vehicle is safe to drive, have a professional inspect the situation before continuing.
5. Tell the Towing Company Your Exact Location
When you call for help, give the dispatcher as much useful information as possible.
Tell them:
- Your exact location or nearest landmark
- The direction you are traveling
- The type of vehicle you have
- What happened
- Whether the vehicle is blocking traffic
- Whether anyone is injured
- Whether the vehicle has visible damage
If you are on a highway, provide the highway name and the nearest exit or mile marker if you know it.
Accurate information helps the towing team understand what equipment may be needed.
6. Stay in a Safe Place While Waiting
Where you wait depends on your surroundings.
If your vehicle is in a dangerous traffic location, do not stand directly behind or in front of it. If you can safely exit the vehicle, move to a location away from traffic and follow local safety guidance.
If leaving the vehicle would put you in greater danger, keep your seat belt on and remain inside until help arrives when appropriate.
Never stand in an active traffic lane while waiting for a tow truck.
7. Remove Important Personal Items
Before your vehicle is towed, check the passenger area and trunk if it is safe to do so.
Take important items such as:
- Wallet
- Phone
- Identification
- House keys
- Work items
- Medication
- Electronics
- Important documents
If the vehicle is badly damaged or cannot be opened safely, do not put yourself at risk trying to retrieve belongings.
8. Ask Where the Vehicle Will Be Taken
Before the vehicle is loaded, confirm the destination.
Depending on the situation, the vehicle may need to go to your home, a repair shop, a body shop, or another location.
Knowing the destination ahead of time can prevent confusion later.
9. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Vehicle
Preparation can make a roadside emergency easier.
Consider keeping a small emergency kit containing:
- Flashlight
- Phone charger
- Jumper cables
- Reflective vest
- Warning triangles
- Basic first-aid supplies
- Bottled water
- Tire pressure gauge
- Gloves
An emergency kit does not replace professional assistance, but it can help while you wait.
When Should You Call an Emergency Tow Truck?
You should consider professional towing when:
- Your vehicle will not start
- The engine has a serious problem
- Your vehicle has been involved in an accident
- Your brakes or steering are unsafe
- The vehicle has significant damage
- You have a flat tire and no usable spare
- Your vehicle is stuck and cannot move safely
- Continuing to drive could cause additional damage
If the problem can be safely handled on the roadside, roadside assistance may be enough. If not, towing can move the vehicle to a safer destination.
Final Thoughts
A vehicle emergency can be stressful, but knowing what to do can make the situation much safer. Move away from traffic when possible, turn on your hazard lights, avoid driving an unsafe vehicle, and give the towing company accurate information about your location and problem.
If you need help in Forney, you can contact Lava Towing Forney.