What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on a Highway
- 1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
- 2. Ensure Your Safety First
- 3. Call for Roadside Assistance or Towing
- 4. Wait for Help Safely
- 5. How Rescue & Towing Can Assist You
Breaking down on the highway is something every driver dreads. It's stressful, and the situation can feel even worse if you don’t know what to do. If your car breaks down, knowing the right steps to take can help you stay safe, manage the situation effectively, and even get your car back on the road faster. Below, we’ll walk you through essential actions to take when you experience a car breakdown, especially on a busy highway.
Pick Your Part - Help Yourself
1232 Blinn Ave, Wilmington, CA 90744, USA
1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
One of the most important things to do when your car breaks down on the highway is to stay calm. It's easy to panic, but panicking can lead to mistakes. Take a deep breath and assess the situation. Is your car completely immobilized, or can you safely coast to the shoulder? Is there smoke or an unusual smell coming from your vehicle?
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13054 E Wade Hampton Blvd, Greer, SC 29651, USA
1.1 Recognize Common Breakdown Causes
Understanding why your car broke down can help you determine the severity of the issue. It could be something as simple as running out of gas or a flat tire, or something more serious like engine failure. Knowing this can guide your next steps and help you explain the issue to a towing company when you call for help.
2. Ensure Your Safety First
Your safety is the top priority when your car breaks down on the highway. First, ensure that you're not in any immediate danger from traffic. If possible, move your car to the shoulder of the road, away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights to make your car visible to other drivers.
2.1 Create a Safe Distance
If you’re able to get your car to the shoulder, park as far away from the traffic lanes as possible. It’s important to be aware of any nearby hazards such as sharp turns or blind spots that could pose additional risks.
2.2 Exit the Vehicle Safely
If you’re stuck in a high-traffic area, stay in your car with your seatbelt on until help arrives. If you feel it’s safe to exit, always do so from the passenger side, especially if you're near fast-moving traffic.
3. Call for Roadside Assistance or Towing
Once you’ve ensured your safety, it’s time to call for help. Whether it’s an emergency towing service or a roadside assistance service, make sure you have access to a reliable service provider. If you’re not sure who to call, your insurance company may offer roadside assistance as part of your coverage.
3.1 What to Share When Calling for Help
When contacting a towing service, be ready to provide essential information, such as your exact location (using mile markers or nearby exits), the make and model of your vehicle, and the nature of the breakdown. The more detailed the information, the quicker the help can arrive.
3.2 Towing Services Available 24/7
At Rescue & Towing, we offer 24/7 emergency towing services. Whether it's a flat tire, engine issue, or something else, we can assist you in getting your car to safety. Don’t hesitate to call if you're stuck on the highway!
4. Wait for Help Safely
While waiting for assistance, stay inside your vehicle, especially if you're on a busy highway. Keep your hazard lights on and avoid standing outside your car. If you're able to, place warning triangles or flares behind your car to alert other drivers of the breakdown.
4.1 Stay Visible
If you don’t have flares or triangles, use your phone’s flashlight or emergency roadside signal if it's dark. Ensuring visibility can help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of other vehicles colliding with your stopped car.
5. How Rescue & Towing Can Assist You
At Rescue & Towing, we understand the stress and anxiety that comes with a breakdown on the highway. Our professional towing services ensure that you get the assistance you need, whether it’s a quick tire change, an engine problem, or full vehicle towing. Our team is equipped to handle all types of emergency situations quickly and safely, minimizing your downtime and getting you back on the road as fast as possible.
Our services are available 24/7, so you can rely on us no matter the time of day or night. Whether you need immediate help or just want peace of mind knowing we are available when things go wrong, Rescue & Towing is here to support you in your time of need.
