A car accident can be stressful, especially when your vehicle is damaged and you are not sure what to do next. Even if the crash seems minor, your vehicle may have hidden damage that makes it unsafe to drive.
Knowing a few basic accident towing safety tips can help you protect yourself, your passengers, other drivers, and your vehicle. If your car cannot safely continue, professional towing may be the safest way to move it from the accident scene.
Move to a Safe Location if Possible
Your first priority after an accident should be safety.
If the vehicle can still move and it is safe to do so, move it away from active traffic to a safer location. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see you.
However, do not try to move a seriously damaged vehicle if doing so could create more danger. Damage to the steering, brakes, wheels, tires, or suspension can make the vehicle difficult to control.
If you are on a busy road or highway and cannot safely leave the vehicle, stay aware of surrounding traffic and move yourself and your passengers to a safer area when possible.
Check for Injuries
Before thinking about towing, check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
If anyone is seriously injured, trapped, or in immediate danger, contact emergency services first. Do not attempt to move an injured person unless there is an immediate danger that requires you to do so.
Once the immediate safety concerns have been handled, you can focus on the vehicle and the next steps.
Turn On Your Hazard Lights
Hazard lights can help alert approaching drivers that your vehicle is stopped because of an emergency.
This is especially important at night, during bad weather, or when your vehicle is stopped close to moving traffic.
If the vehicle is blocking a travel lane, do not stand behind or directly in front of it while waiting for help. Other drivers may not see you in time.
Do Not Drive a Seriously Damaged Vehicle
One of the most important accident towing safety tips is knowing when not to drive.
A vehicle may still start after a collision but may not be safe to drive. Accident damage can affect parts such as:
- Brakes
- Steering
- Suspension
- Tires
- Wheels
- Lights
- Body structure
- Cooling system
Look for warning signs such as leaking fluids, a damaged wheel, a flat tire, unusual noises, steering problems, smoke, warning lights, or difficulty controlling the vehicle.
If you are unsure whether the vehicle is safe, avoid taking the risk. Your towing service in Austin TX can be used to transport a damaged vehicle to a repair shop, home, or another suitable location.
Take Photos of the Accident and Vehicle
If it is safe to do so, take clear photos before the vehicle is moved.
You may want to photograph:
- Damage to your vehicle
- Damage to other vehicles
- The surrounding road
- Traffic signs and signals
- Vehicle positions
- Tire marks or debris
- Visible damage to wheels or tires
- License plates
Photos can help document the condition of the vehicles and the accident scene. Avoid putting yourself in danger just to take a photograph.
Remove Important Personal Items
Before your vehicle is towed, check whether you can safely remove important personal belongings.
Look inside the:
- Glove compartment
- Center console
- Trunk
- Door pockets
- Back seats
- Other storage areas
If the vehicle is badly damaged or unsafe to enter, do not put yourself at risk just to retrieve something. Tell the towing provider about anything important that needs attention.
Tell the Tow Truck Operator About the Damage
When requesting accident towing, give the towing company as much accurate information as possible.
Tell them:
- Where the vehicle is located
- What happened
- The vehicle make and model
- Whether the vehicle starts
- Whether it can roll
- Whether it can steer
- Whether the tires or wheels are damaged
- Whether there is visible body damage
- Whether the vehicle is blocking traffic
- Where you want the vehicle taken
This information can help the towing provider understand the situation and determine what type of towing approach may be appropriate. Your vehicle’s condition matters because a normal breakdown tow can be very different from moving an accident-damaged vehicle.
Avoid Standing Near Moving Traffic
A damaged vehicle on the side of a busy road can put you in a dangerous position.
While waiting for help, avoid standing directly next to traffic whenever possible. Do not walk into traffic to flag down a tow truck.
If you can safely move away from the roadway, do so. Keep children and other passengers away from moving vehicles.
If your location is extremely dangerous, explain the situation clearly when calling for help.
Know When You Need Accident Towing
Not every accident requires towing, but driving a damaged vehicle can create additional problems.
You may need accident towing when:
- The vehicle will not start
- The vehicle cannot steer properly
- A wheel or tire is badly damaged
- The brakes do not work normally
- The vehicle has serious suspension damage
- Fluids are leaking
- The airbags have deployed and the vehicle has other damage
- The vehicle is blocking traffic
- The vehicle is not safe to drive
- You need the vehicle taken to a repair shop
If the vehicle cannot safely continue, having it transported is often more practical than trying to drive it while damaged.
For other roadside problems that are not related to major accident damage, you can also learn more about roadside assistance in Austin TX and the different types of help available for disabled vehicles.
What If You Have a Flat Tire After an Accident?
A collision can damage a tire or wheel even when the damage is not immediately obvious.
If the tire is flat, cut, or badly damaged, avoid driving on it. Driving on a damaged tire can cause additional damage to the wheel and may affect vehicle control.
If you have a usable spare and the situation is safe, roadside tire assistance may be an option. However, serious wheel, suspension, or accident damage may require towing instead.
Do Not Attempt Unsafe Repairs at the Accident Scene
It may be tempting to inspect the vehicle closely or try to make a quick repair while waiting for help.
Avoid working on the vehicle if you are close to moving traffic or if the vehicle has serious accident damage.
For example, do not crawl underneath a damaged vehicle on a roadside or attempt to repair a damaged suspension or steering system yourself.
A professional can assess the situation and determine how the vehicle should be moved.
Choose the Right Towing Destination
Before the tow begins, know where you want the vehicle taken if possible.
Common destinations include:
- An auto repair shop
- A dealership
- Your home
- A body shop
- A secure storage location
- Another location recommended by your insurance company
If the vehicle needs repairs, confirm that the repair shop can receive the vehicle. Give the towing company the correct address and any access instructions.
What Information Should You Give the Towing Company?
Clear information can make the towing process easier.
When you call, be prepared to provide your exact location, road name, direction of travel, nearby exit or landmark, vehicle type, and details about the accident.
Also explain whether the vehicle starts, rolls, and steers. If a wheel, tire, suspension, or steering component is damaged, mention that before the tow arrives.
24/7 Fadi Towing recommends providing vehicle condition and accident-damage information so the appropriate towing solution can be considered.
Accident Towing Safety Checklist
If you are involved in an accident and your vehicle needs towing, use this simple checklist:
- Check yourself and passengers for injuries.
- Contact emergency services if necessary.
- Move away from traffic when it is safe.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- Do not drive a seriously damaged vehicle.
- Take photos if it is safe.
- Remove important belongings when possible.
- Contact your insurance company if required.
- Tell the towing company about visible damage.
- Provide your exact location.
- Explain whether the vehicle starts, rolls, and steers.
- Confirm the towing destination.
- Keep yourself and passengers away from moving traffic while waiting.
How 24/7 Fadi Towing Can Help After an Accident
After a collision, getting the damaged vehicle to a safe location is often one of the next steps.
24/7 Fadi Towing provides towing services in Austin for vehicles that cannot safely continue driving, including vehicles damaged in accidents. The company states that it provides accident recovery towing and can transport vehicles to a preferred location or repair shop.
If the accident has left your vehicle disabled, you can contact accident towing in Austin TX and provide your location, vehicle information, and details about the damage.
If the problem turns out to be something less serious, other roadside options may also be available, including jump starts, fuel delivery, tire assistance, and lockout help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I drive my car after an accident?
If the vehicle has serious damage or you are unsure whether it is safe, do not drive it. Problems with steering, brakes, tires, wheels, suspension, or other important systems can make driving dangerous.
How do I know if my car needs accident towing?
Your car may need towing if it cannot start, steer, brake, roll normally, or if it has serious visible damage. A vehicle that starts is not automatically safe to drive after a collision.
What should I tell the towing company after an accident?
Give the towing company your location, vehicle make and model, accident details, visible damage, and information about whether the vehicle starts, rolls, and steers.
Can a tow truck take my damaged car to a repair shop?
Yes. A repair shop can be a towing destination. Confirm the shop’s address and make sure it can receive the vehicle.
Should I take pictures before my car is towed?
If it is safe, taking photos of the vehicle, accident scene, surrounding road, and visible damage can help document the situation. Never put yourself in danger to take photos.
What should I do if my accident happens on a highway?
Turn on your hazard lights, stay away from moving traffic, and contact emergency services if needed. If the vehicle cannot safely continue, request professional towing and provide your exact highway location, direction of travel, and nearest exit or landmark.
Final Thoughts
An accident can leave you stressed and unsure about what to do next. The most important thing is to protect yourself and your passengers before worrying about the vehicle.
Do not drive a vehicle that may have serious damage. Stay away from moving traffic, document the accident when it is safe, and give the towing company accurate information about your vehicle and location.
If your vehicle cannot safely continue after a collision, professional accident towing can help move it to a repair shop or another safe destination.