You had an unfortunate accident on the road. One of the first questions you might ask yourself is, “Do I need tow or roadside assistance?” This decision is critical for your safety and legal compliance. Let’s look at when you need a towing service or roadside assistance and what steps to take after an accident.

You need a car towing service if the engine won’t start, there’s loud or unusual noise, visible damage like a flat tyre or leaking fluids, overheating, warning lights indicating serious issues, or difficulty in controlling the vehicle such as steering or brake problems. In these cases, it’s safest to tow your car to a mechanic.

Issue Why It Requires Towing Services

Any damage that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive Catch-all for severe damage not otherwise specified

If you notice any of these issues, it’s best to call a towing service rather than attempt to drive.

When Should You Call Kings Towing Service?

If you’re still unsure about whether to call a towing service, ask yourself these questions:

1. Can I operate all essential controls safely?

2. Are all my lights working?

3. Is there any fluid leaking from the car?

4. Do I feel safe driving this vehicle?

If you answer “no” to any of these questions, it’s time to call a towing service. Remember, it’s illegal to drive an unroadworthy vehicle, so when in doubt, opt for a tow.

How Do Towing Regulations Differ Across States?

Each state in Australia has its own set of rules governing tow truck operations:

• Western Australia: There’s less regulation here. Towing services are not licensed, and fees are not controlled by the government
  
  

• Victoria: Accident towing is heavily regulated. Only authorised operators can attend accident scenes, and fees are set by the government.

• Queensland: The towing industry is regulated under the Tow Truck Act, with licensed operators and set maximum fees for accident towing.

• South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and Australian Capital Territory: These areas have varying levels of regulation, generally less strict than NSW, Victoria, or Queensland.

How Can Kings Car Towing Service Help After an Accident?

When To Go For Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance can only attend to minor issues on the road. If you've been in an incident, or suspect that your car has a serious fault, it's better to call for a tow truck. Sheen Panel Service's tow trucks can deliver your car to your desired destination, no matter what the problem is.

The Battery Died on You.

Dead batteries are a fact of life on the road. They happen at inconvenient times, in inconvenient places, and are a general annoyance. Whether you have just run out of juice or need an entirely new battery, roadside assistance can help with:

• Jump-starting a vehicle so that it can be driven

• Replacing a completely dead battery

• Removing pollutants and other materials around battery couplings

Roadside assistance will not replace a battery that has suffered significant chemical corrosion and poses a danger to the mechanic.

There Is No Fuel In Your Car.

No matter how well you know your car, it can still surprise you. If you've been flirting with that low fuel level for some time, you may need an emergency fuel delivery. Roadside assistance will typically give you a nominated dollar amount of fuel, enough to get you to a petrol station.

If you use the wrong fuel at the bowser, your roadside assistance service will not be able to get you back on the road. The best thing to do is to leave the motor off, have the car towed to a mechanic, and have it drained professionally.

You Got A Flat Tyre

There's no shame in not knowing how to change a tyre. Cars are heavy, intimidating things, and getting one off the ground is difficult. Even if you do know how there are certain situations when it's best to leave it to a professional:

• Steep inclines can make jacking a car night on impossible.

• Dangerous environments like highways need the speed and safety of roadside assistance.

• If you are dressed nicely, there's no point in getting dirty if a mechanic is just a phone call away.

Always have a spare tyre on hand. Newer cars have a diverse range of wheels and tools needed to change them. If you have a non-generic set of wheels, roadside assistance will not be able to provide you with a new one if your spare is damaged. You will need a tow to your preferred service centre.

When You Are Locked Out Of Your Car

No matter how advanced your car is, chances are you still need some sort of key to unlock it and drive. Unfortunately, keys have an annoying habit of becoming locked inside the things they are supposed to open.

• Roadside mechanics can unlock most vehicles without damaging the car.

• They can also arrange a lift for you to get a spare set of keys if they aren't too far away.

If your car can't be opened and you don't have a spare set, you might be out of luck. Get your vehicle towed to a safe place and get a replacement key made. It will likely not be cheap.

Conclusion 

You need to call up a towing service like Kings Towing Service if you have had a major incident and the vehicle cannot be safely moved. Roadside assistance on the other hand is for the smaller things like a dead battery or a flat tyre. In Western Australia, because this is not regulated it is important to reach out to a reliable towing service in Perth or anywhere else in the State.