Among the many responsibilities vehicle towing and recovery experts have when they’re on the job, safety around a vehicle crash site is one of the most important. Serving residents in Hilton, NY, since 1957, Heinrich Collision is a family-owned and -operated auto body repair center providing 24/7 towing services. Their trusted team has experience safely towing cars that have been in a collision or weather-related accident at any hour of the day or night.

Ways Towing & Recovery Companies Maintain Safety

Signals & Sight Distance

Once a towing and recovery professional arrives on the scene, they’re required to ensure site safety in several ways. First, they must notify other drivers to approach the site with caution by deploying signals, such as flashing lights, flaggers, flares, barricades, signs, or cones. This ensures additional vehicles won’t become involved and make matters worse or even cause additional accidents.

A professional will know to take sight distance into consideration when planting these signals, so drivers are alerted in the proper amount of time to safely slow down before reaching the scene. They will also protect drivers, bystanders, and first responders by ensuring they are a safe distance away from the scene, thus avoiding potential injuries or death from car fire or explosion, or even equipment malfunction or failure. Professional towing and recovery truck operators also remain compliant with federal laws by wearing high visibility clothing when it’s appropriate.

Remediating Damage & Preparing for Transport

After identifying and remediating property damage at the scene, such as fluid debris on the roadway or damage to trees, a professional will work on recovering and positioning designated vehicles for loading and transportation away from the incident site. This is handled with precision and the proper equipment to prevent additional damage or injury. Professional tow truck operators also follow specific procedures to the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions for securing and towing to ensure damage-free transportation. 

Once a vehicle is loaded, an expert will prepare it for safe transport, which includes a thorough inspection to determine if there is any damage to the vehicle’s wiring. This is critical, as such damage can lead to a dangerous fire even days after a crash. Additionally, a professional will apply a thin film wrap for protection if the vehicle sustained damage that leaves any part of its interior exposed to the elements.

Towing and recovery companies are trained and equipped with the proper tools to ensure they can complete their job without adding to the damage or injuries of an initial crash. If you find yourself needing 24/7 towing or auto repairs following a collision, Heinrich Collision is here to help. Call (585) 392-7800 for an honest quote on auto repairs. You can also visit the website to learn more about the services available, including auto body repair, auto glass repair, auto glass installation, and more.