No matter how well you take care of your vehicle, sometimes things will stop working as they should. If you find yourself with a vehicle that is suddenly not safe to drive, get off the road and call for help. When you are faced with a car emergency, do the following to help keep yourself and your vehicle safe:

#1: Get Off the Road 

Once you realize that your vehicle is unsafe to drive, the first thing you need to do is get off the road and park somewhere safe. Try to find an open space or a location like a rest stop or gas station where you can pull over. Try to avoid having to stop on the road, where your vehicle and your safety will be at risk.  

If you can't do that, try to pull over on the right side of the road, preferably where there is a big shoulder. Position your vehicle so it points the same direction as the flow of traffic, and try and pull over far enough that you have some space between your vehicle and the traffic lanes. If possible, avoid stopping your vehicle on a hill, bridge, or past a blind corner.  

#2: Make Yourself Visible 

You'll want to let other drivers know that your car is disabled and that you can't drive it. You'll also want to make your vehicle easily visible. One of the best ways to do both is by activating the hazard lights in your vehicle. Popping the hood of your vehicle, even if that is not where the issue is located, is also an excellent visual sign to others that your vehicle is in distress and that you are not stopped for a reason that you can resolve on your own. 

If you have a safety or emergency kit in your vehicle that contains triangles or flares, you can also get those out and place them behind your vehicle so that as people approach your vehicle, they know to slow down and be careful. But only do this if you can do it safely. 

#3: Stay Close to Your Vehicle 

If possible, stay close to your vehicle. If you had to park alongside a busy road, the safest place for you is inside of your vehicle. If you don't need to get out of your vehicle, stay inside it. If you do need to get out of your vehicle, stay away from the traffic lanes to keep yourself safe. Stay as close to your vehicle as you can so that anyone coming to assist you can find you. 

#4: Call for Roadside Assistance 

Once you have pulled over and are safe, call roadside assistance. Let them know where you are or where the closest roads and landmarks are so that they can find you. With a smartphone, use the phone's location tracker to determine where you are on a map and pass on that information. 

You should also let them know your vehicle's condition so they can bring the appropriate equipment. For example, if your vehicle is overheating but drivable, they would need to bring a different tow truck than if an axle fell off your vehicle. Provide as much information about the state of your vehicle as possible so that you can get the assistance you need.  

Roadside assistance is available from many reliable towing companies, like Richard's Towing & Junk Cars. Use your smartphone or borrow some else's to locate a professional towing company that serves your current location.