If this happens to you, you’re not alone. The AAA reports that millions of motorists still lock their keys in their car each year. But if it happens when you’re nowhere near a town, gas station or rest stop, it can cause a tremendous amount of panic… unless you’re prepared.

Let’s take a look at your options in situations like this, and how a locksmith may be able to help.

Exploring Your Options

For starters, it’s important to determine whether the situation is an emergency. If there is a child, pet or other person locked in the car (or anyone outside of it is in danger), call 911. A call to the police shouldn’t be your first option if no one is in danger, but as a last resort, it can be helpful. Many police officers have the ability to unlock your car, or call a tow truck (which you’ll be paying for). Plus, a 911 call will go to the nearest dispatch center, which can give you peace of mind.

Your second option is to call a locksmith. Locksmith companies like A-1 Locksmith, for example, have a wide service area in Dallas-Fort Worth. So even if it seems like you’re in the middle of nowhere, a locksmith may still be able to reach you. Dallas-Fort Worth is quite large, you know.

Finally, a call to the dealership, a tow truck company or your insurance/roadside assistance company may be an option. This depends on your location, as well as the company’s guidelines.

What If There’s No Cell Service?

Of course, one of the biggest problems with being in the middle of nowhere is that there can be a lack of cell phone coverage. If you’re in an emergency situation and dial 911, however, you’ll be relieved to know that your cell phone will scan all networks (not just your own) and try to make a call. This will drain your battery, and isn’t guaranteed to work, so try to get to the highest point possible before you make your call, and turn off your phone until you get there, if necessary.

For situations where you can’t use your phone at all (e.g. the battery died), it’s important to keep an emergency kit on hand, preferably one with a safety whistle, and/or flare. If you can attract someone’s attention, they may be able to help. Try not to leave your vehicle (assuming it’s in a safe location), unless you know you are in walkable distance of a location with a phone/person.

How a Locksmith Can Help

If the situation isn’t an emergency, a locksmith may be the best option. The best locksmiths are equipped with GPS-monitored vans, so you’ll know where exactly they are in proximity to your location by simply giving the company a call. These locksmiths also use GPS technology themselves so they can find you quickly, even if you’re outside of a town or city limit.

A locksmith, from a reputable company like A-1 Locksmith, will arrive promptly in a marked vehicle, wearing a marked uniform, and with the appropriate locksmithing tools. A-1 Locksmith has more than 30 technicians in the field each day, and can potentially have someone to your location fast. At the very least, someone from our team can give you advice about the next steps you should take.

If you’ve been locked out of your car in the middle of nowhere, you don’t need to panic. Assuming no one is in danger, give A-1 Locksmith a call today at 972-284-7500 and we’ll help you out.

What happens, however, if you don’t use keys to enter your car, but instead use a key fob or, some other, sort of keyless entry? Is there any way for you to regain access to the interior of your vehicle?

Don’t worry if you find yourself locked out with keyless entry. To be sure, you’re only one of many individuals throughout the nation who have suffered the same fate.

Key Fobs Not the Answer to Being Locked Out of a Car

Ultimately, key fobs were widely adopted, in part, to ensure that vehicle owners had a much smaller chance of locking themselves out of their cars. Of course, just like a pair of keys, it is fairly easy to accidentally lock a key fob inside of the vehicle. Unlike traditional keys, however, many modern key fobs are often designed to allow for the car to be unlocked as long as they are within a certain range. Here, then, an individual may lock a key fob within the car, yet still open the door due to the fob’s proximity to the computer.

Unfortunately, like anything with batteries, the key fob may eventually fail to work, leaving these vehicle owners locked out. And this certainly is not a rare occurrence; a 2013 report from AAA asserted that millions of motorists still find themselves locked out, even those who utilize smart keys.

As such, it is important to realize that if you have been locked out while using a smart key or key fob, you’re not alone. In this situation, however, it is imperative that you contact a professional locksmith to regain entry immediately.

How A-1 Locksmith Can Help

How can you ensure that you will still retain access to your car, even if you have been locked out with keyless entry? By contacting a professional with A-1 Locksmith, you can receive the assistance of a locksmith, often in less than 25 minutes, and be on your way home. Our mobile technicians carry in their trucks all the equipment necessary to replace both traditional, and chip or transponder keys, meaning that you’re never without help, even if you’re locked out. And, we offer this service at a cost not available at any local dealership.

So if you find yourself locked out with keyless entry somewhere in the Dallas area, don’t panic. Instead, call us today at A-1 Locksmith and we’ll be on our way in minutes.