Vehicle breakdowns can be a problem if you do not have the tools or the knowledge to repair the vehicle yourself. It can be an even bigger issue if you break down along the road, and it may be necessary to have an emergency roadside assistance service come and help.
Who To Call
Emergency roadside assistance comes in several forms. There are private services associated with a wrecker or towing service, auto club-associated services, and some roadside services that work through insurance companies for members.
If you have a membership in an auto club or have roadside coverage through your insurance company, you should call them first when you are broken down. They will arrange to have someone come out and assist you but will need to know what has happened and where you are at to dispatch a driver to your location.
Private emergency roadside assistance services typically include tow services that also offer roadside repairs, and some stand along with services that specialize in responding to a breakdown with tools and parts to try and get you running again. If you do not have a membership service, you can call some local tow companies and see if they can help or if they can recommend a service to help you.
Most roadside calls involve flat tires or drivers running out of fuel. Still, many roadside companies have auto mechanics driving their trucks, so depending on how severe the breakdown is, you may find a service that can make other repairs like changing belts, replacing a burst radiator hose, or changing a battery.
Waiting For Assistance
Most emergency roadside assistance services answer calls as they come in, so there are times when you may have to wait a few minutes for the service to arrive. It is vital that you stay with your car while you are waiting for the roadside service unless it is not safe to do so.
When the driver arrives, they will need to know what is going on with the vehicle and will need access to it to make repairs. If you are on a busy road with a lot of traffic, try to get off the road as much as possible, put on your emergency flasher to make your car more visible, and put the hood up to make finding you easier for the roadside service.
Once the driver arrives, they will diagnose the problem and then make the repairs to the vehicle if possible. In the event that the emergency roadside assistance service can not fix the car for you, they can call a tow service and get your vehicle taken to a shop in the area.
For more information, contact an emergency roadside assistance service such as On-Time Truck and Trailer Fleet Service.
