Follow These Guidelines While You Wait For a Tow Truck
Here on the east coast, especially between Washington DC and Maryland, traffic can get pretty bad. Accidents aren’t uncommon and it is likely that at some point you might find yourself in need of a reliable towing service.
If something has happened to your car and you need a tow, please remember that panicking and increasing your stress levels is the worst thing you can possibly do. It is very important to stay calm in the case of an emergency.
Take a deep breath, and remove yourself from the dangerous situation.
You can use your time waiting for a tow truck in a smart way. Try to keep these tips in mind and make sure your main focus remains on personal safety.
Get ID
Make sure your tow truck dispatcher has let you know the name and license plate number of the driver that is coming to help you. Use this to verify their identity – it’s always a good idea to know who to expect.
Don’t be afraid to ask to see some sort of identification from your driver either, such as a passport or a driver’s license. It’s important to stay safe and know that you’re working with the right person!
You’ll also want to have your own ID handy. Your tow truck driver wants to stay safe too and may ask for ID before he hooks your car up to his truck.
Stay Safe While You Wait
This goes for you and your vehicle. If you can, try to drive to an unused shoulder of the road, a place other vehicles can pass you by with a safe amount of distance.
Sometimes, you may not be able to get yourself and your vehicle out of harm’s way. That’s okay, but you should still wait on the side of the road away from your vehicle. It’s better to stay safe than sorry!
Mark Your Location
While it’s a good idea to already figure out your exact location before you call for your tow truck, it might be a good idea to let a family member or friend know where you are. You can use an app to pin your location and send that.
Another way to keep track of where you are is to take note of road signs or landmarks. Use directions such as “on the corner of Main St. and Route 20”, or “right next to the lion statue”.
Taking note of noticeable landmarks can help your tow truck find you properly and is helpful for friends, family, and police who may need to reach you while you wait.
Exit On The Passenger Side
Make sure you exit the vehicle on the passenger side OR on the side that opens away from traffic. Make your decision based on personal safety: if your car is stuck in a precarious spot and it would be safer to exit and get yourself to a safer location then do so; if you are in an unfamiliar area and there is no
In Case of Injury
If you or another passenger is injured it is best to not move them unless otherwise told to do so by a medical or legal authority.
Have Everything You Need
Keep up good communication with the other cars on the road and let them know to avoid you and cut you slack. This is especially true at night time! Day or night, make sure you at least have your hazards on, but at night definitely, find a safe way to put up reflectors or flares.
Flares aren’t the only thing you’ll need to keep safe while you wait for a tow truck. Make sure you have your purse, wallet, coat or jacket, insurance information, and any valuables that you don’t want to leave in your car.
What Qualifies for a Tow?
Not sure if you are in need of a tow? You might need to call for a tow truck if you have been locked out of your car, if your tires need an emergency replacement, if your battery needs a jumpstart, or if you’ve had an accident. Weather-related issues also qualify (for instance, if your vehicle is stuck in the snow).
