Cudahy and St. Francis sit side by side along the Lake Michigan shoreline, just south of Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood. Together they combine older city streets, busy commercial avenues, a fast divided highway, and constant airport traffic. Kinnickinnic Avenue runs through St. Francis, Packard Avenue forms Cudahy's main street, the Lake Parkway carries traffic between downtown and the southern suburbs, and Layton and Pennsylvania Avenues connect to the airport area. Lake Front Towing responds to crashes in both cities 24 hours a day. Here is what to know after a collision.

Crashes on the Lake Parkway

The Lake Parkway is a divided highway with higher speeds than the surrounding streets. Crashes here are often rear-end collisions when traffic slows suddenly, or lane-change crashes near entrances and exits. If you are involved in one:

  • Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt.
  • If the vehicles can be driven, move them to the shoulder or off the parkway at the next exit.
  • If a vehicle cannot move, turn on the hazards and get everyone away from the cars and traffic.
  • Call us at (414) 520-7264 with your direction — toward downtown or toward Cudahy — and the nearest exit.

City-street crashes

On Kinnickinnic Avenue, Packard Avenue, and the surrounding streets, most collisions are low-speed: rear-end bumps at lights, turning crashes, and side swipes on narrow streets with parked cars. Even so, these crashes can disable a car. A cracked radiator, a bent wheel, or a broken headlight are all reasons not to drive. Move the vehicles out of traffic if possible, exchange information, and call us if a vehicle needs to be towed.

Airport-area crashes

Streets near Mitchell International Airport are full of travelers unfamiliar with the area, rental cars, and drivers watching for signs rather than traffic. Crashes here often involve sudden lane changes or stops. If you were heading to a flight, focus on safety and the police report first. Then call your insurer and us. We can explain how to leave the keys and paperwork so the vehicle can be towed while you travel, and confirm with you once it is delivered. Rental car drivers should call the rental company first, since many have their own towing arrangements.

Winter crashes by the lake

Lake-effect wind and moisture make streets near the shore icy in winter, especially on shaded blocks and near the bluffs. Low-speed slides into parked cars, curbs, and poles are common. A curb strike may not look serious, but it can bend a wheel, a tie rod, or a control arm. If the steering wheel is off-center, the car pulls to one side, or you hear grinding after hitting a curb, do not drive it. A flatbed tow to a shop is the safe choice.

What our operators do

When our truck arrives, the operator sets up with warning lights to protect the scene and confirms where the car should go. They assess the damage, note the vehicle's condition, and load it onto a flatbed so damaged parts are not dragged. Loose pieces are secured. Before leaving, the crew sweeps up the debris that came from your vehicle — important on busy streets where pedestrians and cyclists share the road.

Choosing a destination

You can have the car towed to a body shop you trust, a shop your insurer recommends, your home, or secure storage while you sort out the claim. Cudahy, St. Francis, Bay View, and South Milwaukee all have repair shops, and we can deliver anywhere in the metro area. If you are not sure yet, storage gives you time to decide.

Information to collect

From a safe spot, take photos of the vehicles, plates, damage, and the intersection or road. Exchange names, phone numbers, insurance companies, and policy numbers with the other driver. Note witnesses' contact details. Ask the officer for the report number. Keep your tow receipt with these records.

Bus routes, cyclists and pedestrians

Kinnickinnic Avenue and Packard Avenue see buses, bicycles, and people walking to shops and stops along the lakefront. After a crash on these streets, look around before you get out of the car, and do not leave doors open into a bike lane. If a cyclist or pedestrian was involved, call 911 even if the injuries seem minor. When our operator arrives, they will position the truck to keep the sidewalk and bike lane as clear as possible while your vehicle is loaded, and they will sweep glass from crosswalks where people walk.

Frequently asked questions

How fast can you get to Cudahy or St. Francis?

Both cities are close to our Oak Creek base, and our average response across the area is around 25 to 30 minutes. Crash calls are prioritized.

Can you tow two cars from the same crash?

Yes. Mention every disabled vehicle on the first call, and we will dispatch a truck for each one so nobody waits for a second trip.

Do you work with my insurance company?

We work directly with most insurance providers and provide a detailed receipt for your claim.

Where can my car be stored if the shop is full?

Body shops along the lakeshore can get backed up after a storm. If your chosen shop cannot take the car right away, we can hold it in secure storage and deliver it once they have space, so you are not forced to pick a different shop in a hurry.

After a crash in Cudahy or St. Francis, call (414) 520-7264 any time. See our accident recovery service.