When it comes to road accidents, the only thing we can do to avoid them is driving safely. On the road, there are some things we can control and other things we may not have control of. We can control overtaking, changing lanes, speeding, slowing and stopping. However, there are many unfortunate events that lead to car accidents. When you get involved in a road accident, there are a couple of things you can do to ensure your safety and that of the other party.
 
Check for your well being and that of the other driver.
The first thing to do is to check for your well being as well as of the other driver. If you are injured, ask someone to help and if there is no one to help, call 911 immediately. When seriously injured, try not to move or panic. Be calm and wait for emergency personnel and medical to arrive. If you are not too hurt, check on the other passenger to see if they are in a stable condition. At this stage, the number one priority is safety.
 
Call 911
The second step will involve calling the police. Even when there are no serious injuries incurred, it is legally required you call police and inform them about the incidence. If there is a significant property damage, serious injury or even death, you need to call police so that an ambulance can be organized within the shortest time possible. When police come to the scene, obtain their badge numbers. It is the duty of the responding officers to file an accident report and document the scene. You will need to get this police report when filling a claim with your insurance provider.
 
Exchange necessary information
Another important step is to collect basic information with the other party involved in the accident. Ideally, you will need to get their names, contact information, driver's license number, address and license plate numbers. If an investigating office arrive at the scene on time, they will collect all these details. You will also be required to record information about the make, model and color of the vehicle involved in the accident. If there are any witnesses, ensure you collect their information as well.
 
Document the incident
Another important step you should follow when involved in road accident is to document the whole incident. Aim to keep an accurate collection of what happened at the time of the accident. Typically, get the names and badge numbers of all responding officers. Ask police to provide you with a copy of the accident report. Take pictures and have addresses of all parties involved. Ensure you clearly explain to police about what happened so as to help them prepare a report.
 
Contact your insurer
It is important to properly file and inform your insurance provider about the accident. You can also call your insurance provider to come to the scene. That way, they will be able to tell you exactly what they need to process your claim and get your vehicle repaired as quick as possible.

Just like any machine, vehicles are prone to breaking down. Car troubles can happen anytime and when this happens, you will need assistance to have your car fixed within the shortest time possible. Since your vehicle is stuck, your next big concern involves deciding how to get your vehicle to the desired location. This is where a professional tow truck service comes in.
It will save you a lot of extra expenses should you decide to call a professional to look after your car, instead of doing it yourself. There are several benefits of requesting a towing service to take care of your car troubles. When you call one, here is how you are going to save.
 
Immediate assistance
The act of getting an immediate response and assistance will save you a lot of stress, time, and other resources. Because towing service providers offer 24/7 services, you can be sure to get help at any time of the day. The most important thing is to ensure you know who is providing you with their service, by ensuring they are legally registered, ethical, reliable, and professional in the dissemination of their duties.
 
Insured service
Towing service providers are trained and equipped and are licensed for the job. They are properly trained to do their job with the highest standards. They have the expertise and experience to drive the towing vehicle together with the towed one. Additionally, they are fully equipped so you have no reason to worry about any damage happening to your vehicle.
In some states, towing can only happen and be carried out by businesses that are licensed. This means if you seek towing help from someone who is not licensed, it will lead to more problems and fines. Since towing companies are properly licensed and insured, you will have nothing to worry about.
 
No further damage to your vehicle         
When you decide to tale matters in your own hands, to tow or repair your broken down vehicle, it may result in further damage. If you leave your vehicle unattended, you may suffer another bad incidence of having it robbed essential parts. The immediate help you can get is from a towing service provider to keep your vehicle safe.
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You should not let another vehicle pull your car. When someone without towing experience tows your car, the results may be disastrous. Additionally, there are high chances they will use hook and chain and not flatbeds which are the safest form of towing, a service provided by professional towing companies.
 
When you call a towing company, you are assured the company has your best interests at their heart. You will be signing to get the best service. With a reputable tow truck company, they will be able to offer roadside assistance, tow your car, take it to an auto shop or mechanic of your choice, and have it stored until you are ready to have it repaired.  These acts and services may sound simple but will save you a lot of headaches, time, and other resources.

Towing a caravan or trailer for the first time can be a daunting task. You will need to work and balance the added weight behind you and handle your towing vehicle most safely. Additionally, you are required to comply with all towing and road regulations, to guarantee your safety and that of other road users. If there is one component that requires to be properly checked is towing brakes.
When it comes to the use of brakes, there are a couple of things you must observe, to guarantee a safe ride.

Brake fade is your enemy
At one given to brakes, you will face a nightmare if your pads are faded. Faded brake pads are less effective and hard to use. But it is important to understand why brakes fade. The first reason is because of pad glazing, which happens when the surface of the brake pads melts and hardens. This leaves a layer of dense, smooth material that slides easily across the rotor. A glazed pad is one that has lost its porous and flaky surface and is left with a hard, smooth surface that slides. When brake pads glaze, they need to be replaced.
 
Boiled brake fluid
Some people are surprised when they hear about boiled brake fluid. If you overuse and overwork your brakes, you can easily boil your brake fluid. When brake fluid boils, it results in air bubbles in the line of the brake, and while this fluid is not compressible in itself, but applying the principle of forced induction, the air is compressible. Those bubbles will result in a squishy brake pad and this leads to reduced squeezing force on the rotors. It can even get to a point where you push the pedal to the floor and it doesn't stop your vehicle.
                                                                                                               
How to achieve brake safety and longevity
There are a couple of things you can do to guarantee the safety and longevity of your brakes. On our first tip, we advise you at all times to bed your pads on to your rotors. Doing so ensures you have healthy brake wear between your brake pads and rotors. Manufacturers recommend doing a proper brake bedding to mate your pads to your rotors and increase the performance of your brakes.
Use lower gear over rising the brakes

One of the fastest ways to overheat your brake pads is to ride them when cruising down a long downhill section. Although it might be relatively mild braking, the sustained use with a break to ensure they cool off will overheat the pads and even boil the brake fluids. You will not be able to notice the effect on your brakes until they have faded and make a weird noise.  Instead, shift down a gear or two, as doing so allows the compression of the engine and helps your vehicle slow down.
When choosing brake pads. you will have a decision to make between light or occasional towing, and regular or heavy towing. For light towing, you can go for Power Stop Truck and Tow Pads, or EBC Greenstuff Pads. For heavy towing, you can go for EBC Yellow Stuff Brake Pads and Hawk LTS Performance Pads.