West Allis is a dense, busy city. Greenfield Avenue, National Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Cleveland Avenue, and Highway 100 carry steady traffic past homes, shops, schools, and restaurants. Wisconsin State Fair Park brings crowds throughout the year, and I-894 runs along the city's edge. Most collisions here are city-street crashes: rear-end bumps at signals, side swipes during lane changes, turning crashes at intersections, and fender benders in parking lots. They are usually not high-speed, but they still leave many cars undrivable. Here is how to handle them, and how Lake Front Towing helps.

Right after the collision

Check that everyone is okay. If anyone is injured, call 911. If the vehicles can be driven and no one is hurt, move them out of the travel lane — a side street or parking lot is ideal. If a car cannot move, turn on the hazards and get everyone onto the sidewalk. In West Allis, intersections are busy and pedestrians are common, so watch for people walking near the scene.

How to tell if your car is safe to drive

A car that still runs is not necessarily safe to drive after a crash. Do not drive it if you notice any of these:

  • Fluid leaking under the engine — especially green, orange, or pink coolant.
  • A temperature gauge that starts climbing.
  • A wheel that looks tilted or a tire rubbing against the body.
  • Steering that pulls hard or a steering wheel that is no longer centered.
  • Broken headlights or taillights, especially at night.
  • Deployed airbags.
  • A hood or trunk that will not latch.

If any of these apply, call for a tow. Driving a damaged car can turn a repairable crash into an expensive one, and it can be dangerous.

Parking lot crashes

Many West Allis collisions happen in parking lots, where cars back out of tight spaces and drivers cut across rows. These crashes are often minor, but a bent wheel or crushed fender can still disable a car. Parking lots also present a challenge for towing: tight rows, parked cars on both sides, and pedestrians walking through. When you call (414) 520-7264, tell the dispatcher how the car is parked and whether it can roll. If the car is boxed in, our operator may use dollies or a wheel-lift to move it into the open before loading it onto a flatbed.

Streets with parking on both sides

West Allis has many residential streets with cars parked along both curbs, leaving one narrow lane in the middle. If a crash happens on one of these streets, the tow truck will need space to position itself. Our operators are experienced at working in tight urban spaces, but it helps if you can let us know about narrow streets, alleys, or obstacles when you call.

What our operators do on arrival

The operator sets up the truck with warning lights to protect the scene, then walks around the vehicle to assess the damage and note its condition. Damaged vehicles go on a flatbed so bent wheels and suspension parts are not dragged. Loose parts are secured. Our crew sweeps up the debris that came from your vehicle — glass, plastic, and trim — so the street is safe for other drivers and pedestrians.

Collisions with parked cars

On streets lined with parked cars, it is common to clip a mirror or sideswipe a parked vehicle while squeezing past oncoming traffic. If you hit an unattended car, Wisconsin law requires you to stop and make a reasonable effort to find the owner, or leave a note with your name, contact information, and an explanation in a visible spot, and to report it to the police when required. Take photos of both vehicles and the location. If your own car is damaged badly enough that it should not be driven — a torn tire, a wheel pushed back, a broken headlight at night — call us and we will tow it from the street.

Picking a body shop

In most cases, the choice of repair shop is yours. West Allis and the surrounding suburbs have many body shops, and your insurer may also recommend one. If you are not sure yet, we can take the car to your home or to secure storage while you decide. Let the dispatcher know your preference, and we will take care of it.

Insurance details

Lake Front Towing works with most insurance providers. Call your insurer to report the crash and open a claim. Keep your tow receipt, photos, the other driver's information, and the police report number in one place. Ask your insurer whether your policy includes towing coverage and how it is paid.

Event days and State Fair Park

When State Fair Park hosts a big event, traffic around the grounds becomes heavy and unpredictable, with many drivers unfamiliar with the area. Crashes during these times often happen in parking lots and at intersections near the gates. If you are involved in one, give the dispatcher a gate number or nearby landmark to help us find you through the crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Can you tow a car from a parking garage after a crash?

Often, yes, depending on the garage's height clearance. Let us know the posted clearance when you call.

What if the crash happened late at night?

We operate 24/7. Late-night crashes are handled the same way, and the dispatcher will give you an arrival estimate.

Can you take my car to a shop that is closed?

If the shop has an after-hours drop area, yes. Otherwise, we can store the car or bring it to your home until the shop opens.

After a collision in West Allis, call (414) 520-7264. Learn more about our accident recovery service.