An accident can be a very frightening experience. Keeping your head and thinking clearly may be difficult. The best way to stay safe is to be mentally prepared in advance. As a wrecker service, we have a lot of experience with roadside emergencies. Follow these steps immediately if you are in an accident.

  •       Get to a Safe Spot—Your safety should be your first concern. If you are uninjured and out of harm’s way, try to move your car to the shoulder out of incoming traffic. When you cannot move your car safely, flip on your hazard lights to alert the oncoming traffic.
  •       Turn Off Your Car—Turn off your car, so it will no longer be moving. If you have a manual car, set the hand brake.
  •       Take a Breath—Your adrenaline will be pumping, and your heart will be racing. Go ahead and give yourself a minute to calm down. Double check to make sure that you are not injured.
  •       Check on Others—Exit your vehicle away from traffic safely. If you have road flares, you could use them right now. Check to make sure that any people involved, such as drivers and passengers, are okay. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away. Even if someone only has minor discomfort or dizziness, they should still be checked out. Concussions and whiplash are incredibly common even in relatively minor fender benders.
  •       Contact the Police—Even if no one is injured, you need to have a police report even for minor accidents. A police report will be beneficial when you are trying to deal with your insurance company or the other motorists. When the police arrive, avoid admitting blame or trying to place blame on the other motorists. The police are always attempting to gauge the accident objectively. They will determine which parties involved are to blame. If a police officer is not able to come to your scene, which can happen if no one is injured, file your accident report with your local DMV.
  •       Take Notes and Photos—Gathering as much information at the scene as possible is wise. If you are able, write down all the following details: involved motorists’ and their passengers’ names, insurance information, car make, model, and condition, police report number, license plates, police officer’s name and badge number, location of the accident, and contact info for eyewitnesses if any were present. Use your phone to make pictures of your vehicle and any other involved vehicles. If you must file a police report or give information to your insurance, these details will be especially helpful.
  •       Call your Insurance—Call the number on your insurance ID card and file your claim. Your insurance will likely send out their own assessor to see your vehicle. If your car was not drivable, the insurance assessor should be able to go wherever your car was towed.
  •       Call Southside Wrecker—We are standing by 24/7 to help you! When you call, we will dispatch a truck promptly to get you and your vehicle to safety.

If you have been in an accident, Southside Wrecker can help! We have over 30 years of towing experience, so you can count on our team of professionals to restore your safety and peace of mind.