Getting towed feels like a huge endeavor. And, it is something that you should come to expect as a vehicle owner. That is why it is important that you are prepared when the time comes.
There are many reasons for getting towed. Your car may be experiencing issues, such as blown tires, and you are not comfortable driving it to the shop. Or, you may desire to move to another location without worrying about driving your vehicle at all. Perhaps, you were involved in an accident, and you need your damaged car moved.
Whatever the reason may be, having your car towed can be a daunting experience. However, there are things that you can do before and during the towing to minimize stress.
In this article, we outline some of the things that you can do and prepare in case your car needs to be towed.
Secure Important Contact Information
As a driver, you should have all the necessary contact information such as phone numbers of your loved ones on your mobile device and written down on a note.
Now that you got that out of the way, secure the phone numbers or emails of nearby or accessible towing services. While you can always search for towing services online, it is possible that you may not have any service at all. Your mobile device may run out of battery, as well.
Having the contact information both on your device and on an offline copy means you can get help even when you are disconnected. You can always flag other drivers to borrow a mobile phone or go to the nearest establishment to contact someone who can help you.
Ensure Safety While Waiting
If you have already contacted help such as a towing service, then all you can do for the meantime is to wait. You will need to make sure that no other untoward incident will happen while waiting.
Your safety is very important, especially if your car is having trouble or involved in an accident. You may be lucky enough to park in a relatively safe location away from moving vehicles.
Due to this, it is imperative that you invest in safety cones. You can set this up behind your vehicle, especially if you are parked near a road or a highway. This will tell other drivers that they should stay clear.
Additionally, safety cones can help tremendously at night. Visibility is quite limited during this time, especially if your car is relatively dark in color.
Aside from safety cones, you should have a spare tire ready at all times. While it is quite logical to have one, not everyone has one. Blown tires are one of the most common issues any driver experience, so you should always be ready.
A donut tire may work, but it is better to have a spare that is the same size as your other tires. This will ensure that your car is not uneven while being towed.
Gather Evidence and Important Documents
There are two general scenarios that you should prepare for: unplanned or planned towing.
Unplanned towing includes accidents, busted tires, illegal parking, and other related circumstances. First, collect as much evidence as possible and document them in some form, such as taking photos. Additionally, take note of your surroundings and take photos as well while making sure that you are not violating any privacy or property rules.
You may also interview any witnesses whether your car was towed due to illegal parking or you were involved in an accident. Be sure to examine and make copies of any towing documents or parking tickets available to you. At this point, collecting relevant information is very important, especially if there are any legal processes in the future.
Planned towings are a bit easier to anticipate. During these times, you will need to prepare the necessary documents such as insurance papers, licenses, identification documents, and more. You should already have these ready in your car for easy retrieval.
Additionally, make sure that you remove all your personal belongings in the car, especially valuable items. Take note and record the current state of your vehicle, including existing damages, issues, and more. Taking photos will make it easier to determine if there are any damages caused by the towing company.
Choose a Reputable Towing Service
Do not choose the first towing company that comes up on your online search. Towing services are different, and knowing which one you can contact is important. Just like any business, it is better that you deal with the one that you trust the most.
Also, you may benefit more from a towing company that offers a wide range of services. A good example is Denver’s A Quick Response Towing a lakewood towing company. They offer more than the standard towing services, such as towing various types of vehicles, flatbed towing services for accidents and emergency services, and more.
Having a trusted lakewood tow truck towing company at your side ensures that you know where your vehicle will go. It also means it is easier to process relevant documents. Additionally, you can prepare for any fees that you may incur.
If you already know your daily route, unless you are traveling, choose the towing company that services the widest territory. You do not want to deal with more than one entity during such a stressful time. So, having a reputable towing company on your contact list will ease the stress a little bit as you know what to expect from them.
Conclusion
Getting towed, whether planned or unplanned, is quite stressful, not to mention hectic. Being prepared as much as possible ensures that you can resolve any problems immediately. Additionally, knowing the towing company beforehand will lessen any anxiety as you already know what to expect and what you need for efficient and painless towing.
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