What to Do After a Vehicle Breakdown or Accident in Spartanburg
- Erika
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
A vehicle breakdown or accident can happen when you least expect it — during a commute, late at night, or in the middle of heavy traffic. In Spartanburg, knowing what to do in those first few minutes can help keep you safe, prevent further vehicle damage, and reduce stress during an already frustrating situation.
Spartanburg County consistently ranks among the top counties in South Carolina for total traffic accidents, and has led the state in traffic fatalities multiple times in recent years. With continued population growth, ongoing road construction, and major highways connecting north–south travel corridors, local drivers face an increased risk of being involved in a traffic incident.
Whether your car suddenly stops running or you’ve been involved in an accident, taking the right steps early can make a real difference.
Step 1: Get to a Safe Location If Possible
If your vehicle is still operable, carefully move it to the shoulder of the road, a nearby parking lot, or another safe area away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers.
If you’re unable to move the vehicle:
Stay inside if it’s unsafe to exit
Keep your seatbelt fastened
Remain as visible as possible to passing traffic
Safety should always come first, especially on busy Spartanburg roads and highways.
Step 2: Check for Injuries and Call for Help if Needed
After an accident, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away. Emergency responders can provide medical assistance and help manage traffic at the scene.
Even in minor accidents, remain calm and avoid standing in active traffic lanes whenever possible.
Step 3: Decide Whether Towing Is Necessary
Not every breakdown requires a tow, but many situations do — especially when:
the vehicle won’t start or move
dashboard warning lights indicate a serious issue
the vehicle is leaking fluids
there is visible damage after a collision
continuing to drive could cause further damage
If there’s any uncertainty, having the vehicle safely transported is often the safest option. If you need Emergency & Accident Towing in Spartanburg, Jimmy Ray's can be there quickly to ensure your vehicle is handled properly, right away.
Step 4: Choose the Right Type of Towing
After an accident or mechanical failure, the method of towing matters.
Many modern vehicles — including AWD systems, low-clearance cars, and vehicles involved in accidents — are best transported using flatbed towing. A flatbed keeps all wheels off the ground and helps prevent additional damage during transport.
In emergency situations, a towing company should be able to assess the scene and recommend the safest option based on your vehicle’s condition.
Your Right to Choose a Towing Company in South Carolina
If you’ve been involved in an accident in South Carolina, you have the right to choose which towing service is used.
A responding Highway Patrol Officer or city/county officer may offer to contact a local towing company on your behalf, which is often convenient during a stressful situation. However, if you prefer a towing company you’ve used before, one closer to home, or a specific service you trust, notify the officer. They can assist with relaying the necessary information or help contact the towing company of your choice.
Step 5: Be Careful of Towing Scams
Unfortunately, not all towing operations are legitimate. After accidents or breakdowns, some drivers are contacted by third-party dispatch services that pretend to be local towing companies.
Many of these operations use paid advertisements to appear at the top of search results for terms like “towing near me” or “tow truck Spartanburg SC.” This means their websites, phone numbers, or images may appear before real local towing companies.
Once they receive your call, these dispatch services may use unethical — and sometimes illegal — tactics for financial gain. A common scheme works like this:
A fake towing service answers your call, claiming to be a local company with nearby trucks
They collect your information and provide an inflated price
After you agree, they contact a real local towing company while pretending to be a customer
They collect payment from you, pay the real towing company less, and keep the difference
In investigations we’ve conducted, these dispatch services have charged 20–50% more than the actual towing company’s rates.
Note: There are many other methods these operations use to exploit both drivers and legitimate towing companies. For a deeper explanation, see our related article on towing scams in Spartanburg.
How to Protect Yourself
Confirm you’re calling a real local towing company
Ask where the vehicle will be taken
Avoid authorizing a tow you didn’t request
Working with an established local towing service helps ensure transparency, clear communication, and professional vehicle handling.
Step 6: Call a Local Emergency Towing Company
When your vehicle is disabled, response time and experience matter. When you need Emergency Towing in Spartanburg, a real local towing company understands:
common traffic patterns
local road conditions
safe roadside and accident recovery procedures
Emergency towing is about more than moving a vehicle — it’s about doing it safely, efficiently, and with care.
Getting Help After a Breakdown or Accident in Spartanburg
Breakdowns and accidents are stressful, but you don’t have to handle them alone. Knowing what steps to take — and who to call — can make a difficult situation much easier to manage.
If you find yourself stranded or involved in an accident in Spartanburg, professional emergency towing help is available to get you and your vehicle where it needs to be safely.
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