Your car just died: the first five minutes

Every operator at Summit Haul has watched drivers turn a simple breakdown into a dangerous situation in the first minute. Here is the exact order we wish everyone followed.

1. Get fully off the road

Coast to the widest shoulder, an exit, or a parking lot — even if it means driving slowly on a flat for another hundred yards. A car half in the lane is far more dangerous than a ruined tire.

2. Make yourself visible

Hazards on, parking brake set, wheels turned away from traffic. At night, keep headlights on and put a reflective triangle or phone flashlight behind the car if you have one.

3. Stay in the car on fast roads

On highways, the shoulder is the most dangerous seat in town. Stay belted inside with hazards flashing unless you smell fuel or see smoke — then get everyone behind the guardrail.

4. Call for help with details ready

Your location (mile marker, direction, landmarks), vehicle make and color, and what happened. That triple gets the right truck to you fastest — our dispatchers will ask for exactly this.

5. Wait smart

Keep your phone charged and on. Our dispatcher texts a live ETA with the driver's name and truck number, so decline "help" from anyone whose truck doesn't match.

Stranded right now? Skip the reading list.

Request a tow now