When you’re out on the road, anything can happen. Your vehicle might experience an engine failure or jumpstart problems. The worst-case scenario is you get involved in a road accident. Either case, you will need to hire a towing company near you.
Towing companies offer different kinds of services. Not a lot of people know the difference between accident towing and breakdown towing. That’s why Allentown Towing Company is here to help you. Let’s explore their differences, so you know who to call in when dealing with a roadside emergency.
Accident Towing
A crashed vehicle may not be able to move due to the damage it sustained. It should be transported to another place, so it does not cause a road safety hazard. This is where a towing service comes in. But, not everyone in the towing industry is allowed to tow damaged vehicles.
Accident towing is regulated in various states. Only licensed tow trucks are permitted to tow a vehicle involved in a crash. Their vehicles are issued with “TOW” or “HTT” (heavy vehicles only) number plates.
In addition, drivers and staff should be accredited to offer accident towing services. Accreditation ensures safe and responsible handling of the crashed vehicle. The crash site must be managed and cleared properly to lower any road safety risk to others. Their main purpose is to clear road accident scenes. The vehicle must be towed and stored in a secure area, as requested by the owner.
Breakdown or Trade Towing
The term “trade towing” refers to the transporting of vehicles that aren’t involved in a collision. Anyone with a suitable vehicle can tow a motor vehicle. In trade towing, truck operators do not need accreditation. If you have a vehicle with a towing function, you are allowed to move a car that breaks down somewhere. However, trade towing operators are still required to comply with road safety laws.
You can find a trade towing service on the internet or from recommendations by your friends and family. Just be wary of companies that lack the experience and proper insurance as you might fall for towing scams.
What To Do When You Need Towing Service
Now that you know the difference between accident and trade towing, here are the tricks when you need a tow:
- Know Your Location
The first thing you need to do is figure out where the roadside emergency happened. Bring out your phone and check your GPS coordinates. This will track your real-time location for you. Look for street signs, buildings, and landmarks to figure out your location.
- Hire a Reputable Towing Expert
Whether you’re involved in a collision or a simple car lockout, find a towing company for immediate assistance. The sooner you call, the sooner you will be able to get help. This will also shorten your wait time on the road.
The right towing company will offer the best towing services at the best prices. They have the best technicians and staff—ready to address your towing concerns.
- Decide Where Your Car Is Getting Towed To
Before the towing operators take your vehicle, determine the destination quickly. Do you want to bring it to your home or the nearest auto shop? You should get an estimate of how long it will take to get your car to your preferred destination. When you do this, the towing system will be as smooth as possible.
- Sign the Towing Authority Form
You must sign the towing authority form before your car gets towed. This is a written agreement that includes the terms of the tow, destination, and fees. If you haven’t carefully read the terms, do not sign the form.
In case of an injury due to the crash, a police officer or someone acting on your behalf can sign it for you. A tow truck driver or staff cannot force you to sign the towing authority form if you don’t want to.
Let Our Towing Experts Assist You!
Both accidents and car breakdowns are stressful. At Allentown Towing Company, we can look after your vehicle with superior care and attention. We offer comprehensive towing services in and around Allentown, PA.
We have the equipment and tow trucks for transporting standard-sized cars and larger vehicles. Our team can quickly move your vehicle off the road and provide roadside emergency service. For immediate concerns, call us today!