What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on the Side of the Road

Ryan I • July 3, 2025

What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on the Side of the Road

There’s never a good time for your car to break down—but when it does, staying calm and knowing what to do can keep you safe and help get you back on the road faster.

Here’s what to do step by step if your vehicle breaks down on the side of the road:

🚨 1. Stay Calm and Pull Over Safely
If you notice signs like loss of power, strange noises, or warning lights:
  • Turn on your hazard lights immediately.
  • If possible, steer to the right shoulder or a safe location away from traffic.
  • Avoid stopping on curves or blind hills—stay visible.

⚠️ Tip: If your car dies in traffic, stay inside with your seatbelt on and call for help right away.

📞 2. Call for Professional Help
Once you’re safely off the road:
  • Call Carnaghi Towing & Repair at (217) 443-5176 – we’ll dispatch a truck to your location fast.
  • Let us know your location, vehicle make/model, and any issues you're experiencing.
  • If you have roadside assistance (AAA, insurance, etc.), now’s the time to call.

🔒 3. Keep Yourself Safe While Waiting
While help is on the way:

  • Stay inside your vehicle if it's safe.
  • Lock the doors.
  • If it’s dark, turn on your interior light to stay visible.

If you must exit, do so from the passenger side away from traffic.
Bonus: If you're in the Danville area, our fast local response time means you’re never stranded for long.

🧰 4. Don’t Try Major Repairs Yourself
It might be tempting to “pop the hood,” but roadside repairs can be dangerous and often make things worse. Let our trained mechanics handle it once your vehicle is towed to the shop.
If it's something minor like a dead battery or flat tire, we may be able to help you on the spot.

✅ 5. Bring It to a Shop You Trust
Once we’ve towed your car, let the repair experts at Carnaghi Towing & Repair take it from there. Whether it’s an alternator, battery, or transmission issue, we’ll diagnose and fix it right the first time.

🛻 Need a Tow Right Now?
📍 Serving Danville, IL and surrounding areas
📞 Call Carnaghi Towing & Repair: (217) 446-0333
🕒 Available 24/7 for emergency towing