Tow Truck Accident Lawyer: Your Ultimate Guide to Winning Compensation Fast

Need a Tow Truck Accident Attorney? Call 800-539-3319

Tow trucks are a necessity on the roads. They help stranded drivers in some of their worst moments. They clear away wrecks to keep the roads clear. But that doesn’t mean they’re any less dangerous. If you’ve been in an accident with a tow truck, you know just how catastrophic the results can be.

Tow trucks are big and heavy, after all, and what’s worse is that they carry unpredictable loads. One mistake can result in a serious crash—and when you’re on the wrong end of that crash, it can be life-changing.

Fortunately, there are lawyers with specific tow truck accident experience who can help you. Why do you need the help? You’d be surprised at what tow trucks’ insurance companies can throw at you: lowball offers, trying to shift the blame, etc. Don’t let them deny responsibility. Here’s a guide to finding the legal help to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Tow Truck Accidents

Typically, a tow truck crash might occur if someone was being negligent. In the legal sense, negligence refers to what happens when one party fails to act as a reasonable person should. For example, a professional tow truck driver may have job responsibilities they have to satisfy in a “reasonable” sense—and if they don’t, negligence is in play.

Let’s look at some of the common causes of tow truck accidents to illustrate how these cases can work:

• Driver fatigue. Tow truck drivers tend to work long shifts. And not everyone needs a tow in broad daylight, which means tow truck drivers also have to work odd hours. That’s why driver fatigue can be a frequent challenge for tow truck drivers.

• Lack of training. Handling a tow truck isn’t like driving a car. Even when the car’s hooked on, the experience can feel completely different. It requires special training—and without those proper skills, drivers can easily lose control.

• Speeding and reckless driving. Some tow truck drivers rush to accident scenes, while others try to tow multiple vehicles in a single shift. These behaviors add risk to their usual work and can put other people in harm’s way.

• Equipment failure. Think of all those gears churning inside a tow truck. Hydraulic lifts, winches, tow hitches—if any of these fail, a vehicle can detach and cause disaster on the roads.

• Poor vehicle maintenance. Like any other vehicle, tow trucks have to be properly maintained to continue to work smoothly on the road. Any negligence with maintenance that results in a crash can cause problems for others.

• Improper securing of loads. They’re tow trucks, after all—securing loads is what they do. But if a towed vehicle shifts or detaches while en route, it can potentially become a deadly hazard.

Our point? There are different reasons a tow truck company might be at fault in your accident. And finding out if one of those reasons applies to your case should be a top priority.

Who’s Actually Liable in a Tow Truck Accident?

It’s the million-dollar question. Liability, after all, isn’t always straightforward. But there are some potential parties you should be aware of who might be responsible:

• The tow truck driver, especially if they were distracted, intoxicated, or speeding.

• The tow truck companies, if they didn’t train their driver properly or adequately maintain their fleets. If the tow truck fails due to poor maintenance, they may be liable.

• Third-party maintenance providers could also be at fault—for example, if an outside mechanic botched a brake replacement.

• Other negligent drivers on the road could be at fault, including if they cut off a tow truck or make a particularly unsafe maneuver.

• Vehicle or equipment manufacturers. Sometimes the root case of an accident can be a faulty brake system or tow hitch. If these were defective from the get-go, it may not be the tow truck’s fault; the manufacturer may bear a heavy share of the responsibility.

What Compensation Can You Get in a Tow Truck Case?

As with any legal case, your actual compensation will depend on a lot of factors. But if you’ve been injured, you may have more coming to you if any of these variables were at play:

• Medical bills, including future treatment stemming from injuries sustained in the accident

• Lost wages, if you can’t work

• Pain and suffering, including physical and emotional trauma

• Property damage, such as vehicle repairs or outright replacement

• Loss of earning capacity, especially if injuries prevent you from working long-term

• Wrongful death, in the tragic cases where a loved one was killed

Your lawyer can evaluate all of your claims to these, assess the facts of your case, and put together a plan for your fight for maximum compensation.

Don’t Let Insurance Companies Undercut Your Claim - Work with a Tow Truck Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies might offer quick cash, but they are not your friends. In fact, they might hope you say less to a lowball settlement as quickly as possible. Or they may deny liability outright, which can be frustrating if you know you weren’t at fault.

Insurance companies can also use seedy tactics like delaying claims. They may use your word against you, twisting them to either reduce or deny your claim. So before you talk to an adjuster the next time, make sure you consult a lawyer first. A skilled tow truck accident lawyer knows these insurance company tactics and can step in if they’re about to take advantage of you.

Additionally, a lawyer will help you gather more information about your case. They can investigate the crash, determine liability, negotiate with insurance companies, and file a lawsuit when necessary. The stronger your case is, the higher your compensation may be. That’s why hiring the right lawyer will be critical.

How does it work?

Hire a lawyer by starting with a free consultation. Discuss the facts of the case and let the lawyer tell you about your rights—and the next steps. To kick off a free consultation, give us a call at 800-539-3319.