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The vehicle towing industry is worth $6.935 billion and growing each year, fueled by an increased reliance on our cars. After all, if you find yourself stranded and unable to start your car, you need a reliable towing service to come to the rescue. Whether you’re heading to work or picking up the kids, you want to get back on the road as soon as possible.
That said, when should you call for towing services, and how can you stay safe on the side of the road as you wait? Use these three tips to walk you through what you need to do when the car breaks down.
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1. You’ve Been in an Accident
If you’ve been in a vehicle accident, your car may be unsafe to operate. You might need to call a towing service, but first, you’ll need to take steps to ensure everyone is okay.
Check yourself and any passengers for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Pull over to the side of the road if it’s possible to clear the road. Examine the vehicles for any damage and take pictures if you can.
It’s a good idea to get a police report if you’ve been in a serious accident for insurance purposes. You’ll also need to exchange information with the other driver and decide whether to file a claim.
If your vehicle has been in a serious accident, you shouldn’t drive it. Damaged cars can catch fire or even explode. Defective fuel lines can burst, and damaged electrical wiring can result in sparks and fires.
Call a tow truck service after you’ve followed the above steps.
2. You’re Out of Gas
It happens—you meant to fill up last week, and then it slipped your mind. Now you’re out of gas and in an area without a gas station nearby.
If you don’t have any spare fuel on hand and it’s unsafe or impossible to walk to a gas station, you won’t be able to start your vehicle. In this instance, you should call tow truck services to come and pick your car up.
Before you do, it’s a good idea to have your driver’s license and registration ready, plus information about the make and model of your car.
3. You Can’t Get It to Start
There’s nothing quite as frustrating as a car that won’t start, leaving you stranded. In some cases, you can wait for a few minutes and try again. You can also get a jump to fix a dead battery.
But what if you can’t get it started or you don’t have jumper cables on hand?
It’s always a good idea to have a roadside assistance plan, which can provide you with help in the event anything does happen. Having a roadside assistance plan covers tow truck services, a tire change, fuel delivery, and more.
When to Call a Towing Service
Now that you know some of the most common scenarios where you’d need to call a towing service, you’re prepared for any future incidents. Make sure to keep calm and follow the above advice, and you’ll get back on the road in no time.
It never hurts to learn more about your vehicle and how to care for it. Read some of our other auto-related posts to discover more tips.
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