Accidents don't wait for business hours. If you've been in a crash on I-75, US-41, Manatee Avenue or anywhere in Manatee County and your vehicle can't be driven safely, call the Firkins 24-hour towing line at (941) 749-1450. We provide 24/7 towing assistance to our collision center at 2700 1st St in Bradenton, where your vehicle can be stored securely and inspected for repair.
Emergency first: If anyone is injured, there's a fire, or vehicles are blocking traffic, call 911 before anything else.
When You Need a Tow After an Accident
Driving a damaged car can make the damage worse or put you at risk. Call for a tow if:
- Headlights, taillights or turn signals are broken or not working
- A tire is flat, a wheel is bent, or the car pulls hard to one side
- Fluids are leaking — coolant, oil, transmission fluid or fuel
- Warning lights came on after the impact, especially airbag, brake or temperature
- The hood, trunk or a door won't close and latch
- A bumper, panel or exhaust is dragging or loose
- Airbags deployed
- The vehicle was in floodwater (don't start it — see storm and flood damage)
If you're unsure, it's safer to tow than to drive.
How Firkins Accident Towing Works
1. Make sure everyone is safe
Turn on hazard lights. If the car can be moved and it's safe to do so, get out of travel lanes. Check on everyone involved and call 911 for injuries.
2. Document the scene
When it's safe, photograph all vehicles, license plates, the road and any skid marks or debris. Exchange information with the other driver. Our guide on what to do after a car accident in Bradenton has a full checklist.
3. Call our towing line
Call (941) 749-1450 and tell us:
- Your location (cross streets, mile marker or nearby landmark)
- Vehicle year, make and model
- Whether it rolls, steers and has its keys
- Whether it's all-wheel drive, electric or hybrid, or was in water
- Your insurance company if you know your claim information
4. Your vehicle comes to our facility
Your vehicle is towed to our ~10,000-square-foot repair center on US-41 (1st Street) in Bradenton. We offer secure overnight vehicle storage, so if it arrives after hours it stays protected until our team can begin.
5. Free estimate and next steps
Once we open, we begin with a free upfront estimate, contact your insurer if you'd like help, and arrange transportation for you. See our repair process.
If Police Called a Different Tow Truck
At many crash scenes, law enforcement calls a tow from a rotation list to clear the roadway quickly. That's normal. In Florida you generally have the right to choose where your vehicle is repaired, so it can typically be moved from that tow yard to the shop you choose. Call us and we'll help coordinate it. Keep in mind that storage fees at third-party lots can add up daily, so it helps to act promptly. Read more about your right to choose a body shop.
Where We Tow From
We provide towing assistance to our facility from across Manatee County, including:
| Area | Common routes to our shop |
|---|---|
| Downtown & West Bradenton | Manatee Ave (SR-64), Cortez Rd (SR-684), US-41 |
| Palmetto & Ellenton | Green Bridge or DeSoto Bridge via US-41 / US-301 |
| Lakewood Ranch & University Park | SR-70, University Pkwy, Lakewood Ranch Blvd, I-75 |
| Anna Maria Island & Cortez | Island bridges to Manatee Ave or Cortez Rd |
| Parrish & Myakka City | US-301, SR-70 |
| North Sarasota | US-41, University Pkwy |
See all our service areas.
Special Towing Situations
Flood-damaged vehicles
A vehicle that sat in floodwater should be towed, not driven or started. Starting it can pull water into the engine. Tell us about flood exposure when you call.
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Florida's State Fire Marshal has warned that EVs and hybrids exposed to saltwater can catch fire and should be moved by a professional who knows how to handle them. Tell us it's an EV or hybrid when you call.
All-wheel and four-wheel drive
AWD and 4WD vehicles often need to be transported fully off the ground to avoid drivetrain damage. Let us know your drivetrain.
Lifted trucks and Jeeps
Modified ride height and oversized tires affect how a vehicle is loaded. Mention any lift or modifications.
Staying Safe While You Wait for a Tow
The minutes after a crash, while you wait on the roadside, can be dangerous. A few precautions:
- Stay buckled in your vehicle if you're on a busy highway like I-75 and can't get well away from traffic. Exiting into live lanes is one of the riskiest things you can do.
- If you do get out, move behind a guardrail or well away from the travel lanes, on the side away from traffic.
- Keep hazard lights on, and use reflective triangles or flares only if you can place them safely.
- At night, stay visible but out of the roadway. Use your phone's flashlight to signal approaching responders if needed.
- In summer heat, keep water handy and watch passengers, children and pets for signs of heat stress. Afternoon storms can also roll in quickly — avoid standing near flooded lanes or downed lines.
- On bridges, where shoulders are narrow, stay in the vehicle unless there's smoke, fire or another immediate danger.
- Don't sign anything at the scene you don't understand. If a tow operator you didn't call shows up, ask who requested them.
Towing and Insurance
- Collision or liability claims often include reasonable towing costs.
- Roadside assistance add-ons may cover towing separately.
- Comprehensive claims — floods, falling trees — may also include towing.
Policies vary, so check your coverage or ask your adjuster. Firkins works with all insurance companies and offers insurance claim and paperwork assistance. Visit insurance claim help and our insurance page.
After the Tow: Getting You Back on the Road
- Free loaner vehicles or help arranging a rental — see loaner and rental cars
- Shuttle service to get you home or to work
- Repairs on all makes and models, from collision repair to frame straightening
- Lifetime warranty on parts and labor — see our lifetime warranty
- Spanish-speaking staff — hablamos español: (941) 357-5162
Need a Tow Right Now?
Call the 24-hour towing line: (941) 749-1450.
For estimates and repair questions during business hours (Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5:30 PM, Sat 8:00 AM–12:00 PM), call the collision center at (941) 229-6451 or request a free estimate online.
Frequently asked questions
What number do I call for a tow in Bradenton?
Call the Firkins 24-hour towing line at (941) 749-1450. If anyone is hurt or vehicles are blocking traffic, call 911 first.
Can I have my car towed to Firkins even if police called a different tow company?
At the scene, law enforcement may call a rotation tow to clear the road quickly. Your vehicle can typically be moved afterward to the shop you choose. Call us and we can help coordinate getting your vehicle to our facility.
Does my insurance pay for towing after an accident?
Many policies include towing or roadside assistance, and towing is often part of a collision or liability claim. Coverage varies, so check your policy or ask your adjuster. We can help with the claim paperwork.
What should I take out of my car before it's towed?
Take your phone, wallet, keys you'll need, registration and insurance card, medications, child seats if needed, and any valuables or garage door openers. Photograph the vehicle and scene first if it's safe.
Can you tow a flooded or electric vehicle?
Tell us about flood exposure or that it's an EV or hybrid when you call. Flooded vehicles should be towed, not started, and EVs exposed to saltwater need careful handling per Florida State Fire Marshal guidance.
Is the towing line answered when the collision center is closed?
Yes. The towing line at (941) 749-1450 is for 24/7 towing assistance. The collision center itself is open Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5:30 PM and Sat 8:00 AM–12:00 PM; your vehicle can be stored securely until we open.
Wrecked, dented or scratched? Let's look at it.
Free estimates, help with your insurance claim, and a loaner while we work.