5 Things You Should Do While Waiting for a Tow Truck to Arrive

Whether you have just bought your car or you have been driving for years, one of the things you need to know is that there are times when you have to rely on the help of a towing company. While we always take our vehicles for maintenance and servicing, they can still break down unexpectedly or get involved in traffic accidents. If you are stuck in the middle of nowhere, the first thing you should do is call a towing company. For safety purposes, there are certain things you should do while waiting for a tow truck to arrive.

Following are 5 things you should do while waiting for a tow truck to arrive:

1. Make Sure Your Vehicle is Parked in a Safe Spot
If you are in the middle of the road and your vehicle is blocking the flow of traffic, then you will need to pull over so that you don’t cause an accident. If the vehicle’s engine is malfunctioning, then you will need to push the vehicle off the road. If possible, turn your hazard lights on. If not, then it is recommended that you tie something red to your vehicle to increase visibility.

2. Call the Authorities
If you were involved in an accident, then contact the relevant authorities to report the incident. Failing to report an accident can have serious legal implications. Furthermore, if you want file a claim with your auto insurance company, you will need a case number. Even if the accident occurred due to the fault of other person, the claim number will be required by the insurance company.

3. Remove Your Valuables
While you wait, take the time to remove valuable or important items from your vehicle. This goes for the things of sentimental value as well. Not only will this give you peace of mind, but it will also ensure that you have all your valuables and you don’t have to make a trip to the location your car is being stored while awaiting repairs. Towing companies are not responsible for the damage or loss of personal items you leave behind in your vehicle.

4. Stay Calm and Do Not Dehydrate
After following the above-mentioned tips, now all you can do is wait and stay calm. It is recommended that you try not to wear out your phone’s battery. You never know when you might need to make another phone call. Don’t forget to stay hydrated. If you are close to the city, then the tow truck might take only a few minutes to arrive. On the other hand, if you are far away from the city, then it may take an hour or even longer.

5. Consider Staying Inside Your Car
If there is nothing you can do except wait for the tow truck to arrive, then it is highly recommended that you consider staying inside your vehicle because it’s extremely dangerous to stand or walk around your car on a busy highway.