There's no good time to suffer from a breakdown. Whether you're a few miles from home or on a cross-country road trip, finding yourself stuck on the side of the road is never fun. 24-hour towing companies can help make the situation a little less harrowing, but that doesn't mean you don't still need to treat roadside emergencies with care.

Unfortunately, late-night tows can be especially concerning and may require a few extra steps on your part to minimize risks and ensure that help arrives quickly. Keep reading to learn three reasons why these after-hours misadventures can be risky, along with a few steps you can take to minimize those dangers.

1. Poor Visibility

Your vehicle may be easily visible if you break down on the side of a busy and well-lit street, but car troubles are rarely so considerate. You may find yourself stuck on the side of a dark highway or, even worse, pulled over on an unlit blind turn. These situations put you at increased risk of an accident since other drivers may not be able to see you.

What You Can Do: Maximizing visibility is crucial when you break down in the dark. While you shouldn't leave your car running, you should always leave your headlights and hazard lights turned on. Emergency flares, reflective triangles, and other emergency kit items are also useful. However, you should only get out of the car to place these warning signs if you're sure it's safe to do so.

2. Extended Wait Times

Around-the-clock towing companies make it their job to show up quickly at any hour, but that doesn't mean that a late-night call won't take a little more time. Darker driving conditions, limited driver availability, and other factors may mean you'll need to wait a little longer than usual. This extra time can make a stressful situation seem even worse.

What You Can Do: The best thing you can do is provide accurate location information to the dispatcher and ensure your vehicle is easily visible. It's also a good idea to request an ETA for the truck and let friends or family know where you are. By providing this information to people you trust, you'll have someone who can check up on you while you wait for help to arrive.

3. Tired or Inattentive Drivers

Night driving is often far more dangerous than daytime driving. Drivers may be tired or inattentive, making them less likely to notice vehicles stuck on the side of the road. Less busy roads can also lead to higher speeds, adding another risk factor that can make it challenging for other drivers to spot and avoid disabled vehicles.

What You Can Do: While you may not be able to choose where to pull over when a tire fails catastrophically, other emergencies may afford you more options. Always pull as far from the road as possible and never stop in the traffic flow. If you can do so, always try to pull onto a soft shoulder, parking lot, or another protected area.