- If you slid into a ditch, stay in the car if it is safe. Turn on your hazard lights.
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the car is blocking the road.
- If you run the engine for heat, make sure the tailpipe is not packed with snow.
- Do not spin the tires to rock it out. That is how a small slide becomes a bent wheel or a burnt transmission.
- Once it is out, get the car checked. Ditches hide damage you cannot see.
It happens fast. One second you are heading home on a county road outside Goshen. The next, the back end steps out on a patch of ice and you are nose down in the snow.
Your heart is pounding. Your first thought is usually, "Can I just back it out?"
Take a breath first. If you slid into a ditch, what you do in the next ten minutes matters more than how you got there. Here is the list we would give our own family, from a shop that pulls cars out of Elkhart County ditches every winter.
First, make sure everyone is okay
Check yourself, then your passengers. Look for cuts, neck pain, or anyone who seems confused. If you slid into a ditch, treat it as a real crash, even at low speed.
- Anyone hurt? Call 911.
- Car sticking out into a lane? Call 911 too. Other drivers are sliding on the same ice you did.
- Nobody hurt and off the road? Turn on your hazard lights and take a minute to settle down.
On a busy road like US-33, US-20 or SR-15, the bigger danger is often the next car that comes around the curve. Indiana's Move Over law tells drivers to slow down or change lanes for stopped vehicles with flashing lights. Not everyone does, so stay alert.
Stay in the car or get out?
Most of the time, if you slid into a ditch, stay in. The car is warm and it protects you. Ready.gov's winter safety guide says the same thing: if you are trapped in your car, stay inside.
Get out only if:
- You smell gas or see smoke.
- The car is in water or could roll further.
- It is sitting in a spot where it is likely to get hit.
If you do get out, move well away from the road. Stand behind a guardrail or up the bank, not between the car and traffic.
The tailpipe rule. If the car is still running for heat, step out and check the tailpipe. A pipe packed with snow can push exhaust into the car. Exhaust can carry carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell. Clear it, or run the engine in short bursts with a window cracked.
Should you try to drive it out?
This is where most of the extra damage happens. People floor it, the tires spin, and the car digs in deeper. Meanwhile the transmission gets hot fast.
You can try to drive out only if all of these are true:
- The car is barely off the road, with all four wheels at about the same height.
- Nothing is bent, leaking, or hanging down.
- Gentle gas in a low gear moves it right away.
If the tires just spin, stop. If the car is tipped, nose down, or sitting on its belly in the snow, stop. That is a job for a tow truck with a winch, not your right foot.
Rocking a car back and forth over and over is hard on it. We see a lot of transmissions come in sick in January. Our post on signs your transmission is going out covers what that damage looks like later.
Who to call for a tow
Once you know you slid into a ditch too far to drive out, it is time for a tow. If police are on scene, they may call a tow company from their list. If not, you can call your own.
When you call, have these ready:
Road name and nearest cross road or mile marker. Drop a pin on your phone if you are not sure.
Nose down? On its side? How far off the road? This tells us what truck and gear to bring.
Year, make, model, and if it is all-wheel drive. AWD cars should ride on a flatbed.
Home, or straight to a shop. If it goes to ours, we can look it over the same trip.
Team runs flatbeds with winches for pulling cars back up onto the road. You can read more on our towing page, and why the type of truck matters in flatbed vs. wheel-lift towing.
On a bad snow day, expect a wait. Every tow company in the county is busy at once, and crashes with injuries come first.
Is sliding into a ditch an accident for insurance?
People who slid into a ditch ask us this a lot. If the car is damaged, it is usually treated as a single car accident. That often falls under collision coverage, if you have it.
If there is no damage and you only needed a pull out, roadside or towing coverage may pay for it instead. Our post on whether insurance covers towing goes deeper. Every policy is different, so call your agent and ask before you assume.
Either way, take photos of the car, the road, and the ice before the tow truck moves it.
Get it checked, even if it drives fine
A car that slid into a ditch can look fine and still be hurt. Ditches are rough on the parts you cannot see. Snow banks hide stumps, culverts, and rocks. After a slide off, we often find:
- Bent steering or suspension parts. The car pulls or the wheel sits crooked. See why your car pulls to one side.
- Damaged wheels or tires. A bent rim or a cut sidewall.
- A cracked radiator or bumper brackets. Packed snow at speed hits hard.
- Leaks underneath. Oil pans and fuel lines sit low.
We can look it over at no cost and tell you what is safe and what is not. Costs vary by make and model, so call and we will check it out. Then, before the next storm, our winter tire guide may help keep you on the road.
Quick answers
What should I do first if I slid into a ditch?
Check that everyone is okay and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the car is in the road. Turn on your hazard lights and stay in the car unless it is unsafe.
Should I call the police if I slide into a ditch?
Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the car is blocking traffic. If you are safely off the road with no injuries, you may only need a tow, but a police report can help with an insurance claim.
Is sliding into a ditch considered an accident?
If the car is damaged, insurance usually treats it as a single car accident under collision coverage. If there is no damage, roadside or towing coverage may cover the pull out. Ask your agent.
Can I get my car out of a ditch myself?
Only if it is barely off the road and moves right away with gentle gas. If the tires spin or the car is tipped, stop and call a tow. Spinning can damage the transmission.
How much does it cost to get pulled out of a ditch?
It depends on how the car is sitting and where it is. Call us and we will give you a straight answer on the phone.
In the ditch? Give us a call.
Flatbed towing and winch-outs around Goshen and Elkhart County, with a repair shop at the end of the ride.
Call (574) 533-9081