Tow Truck Accidents
When a car breaks down, when an accident occurs, or when a vehicle is parked illegally, it is a tow truck that is called to clear it away. Unfortunately, for all the good that they can do, if a tow truck is not maintained properly, or if it is not driven carefully, it can turn into a serious safety concern.
Tow truck accidents often result in significant damages, including serious or catastrophic injuries. Individuals from the Sugar Land, TX area who are injured in a tow truck accident can work with the tow truck accident lawyers at Reed & Terry, L.L.P. to seek financial compensation for accident losses.
Causes of Tow Truck Accidents
Tow trucks are larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road, especially when they are carrying another automobile. Their size and weight alone make tow trucks more difficult to maneuver than the average vehicle, which increases the risk of an accident.
It is important that tow truck companies properly vet potential employees before they are hired. All drivers should be trained and tested to ensure they know how to operate a tow truck safely. Even when proper hiring precautions are taken, tow truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes of tow truck accidents include:
- Improper truck maintenance – Tow trucks should receive regular inspections and safety checks, and any necessary maintenance should be performed before the truck is allowed back on the road.
- Driver error – Even with training, tow truck drivers may not react to hazards appropriately, or they may fail to follow traffic laws or vehicle safety regulations.
- Distracted driving – Tow truck drivers are frequently taking radio calls and looking up locations on a GPS device or cell phone, all of which can distract them while driving.
- Loose vehicle – If a vehicle is loaded improperly, or if part of the tow or trailer malfunctions, a vehicle can come loose and pose a serious safety hazard.
Tow Truck Accident Injuries
The degree of injuries sustained in a tow truck accident will depend on factors such as the location of the impact, the speed that vehicles were traveling at the time of the accident, and whether safety devices were used (i.e. seatbelts, airbags, etc.) Due to a tow truck’s size and weight, injuries in these types of accidents can be severe. Tow truck accident injuries that we typically see among our Katy clients include:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
Compensation for Damages
When our Richmond clients have been injured in a tow truck accident, our attorneys fight hard to collect compensation for the full extent of their damages. We consider all our client’s losses including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Schedule a Free Case Review
If you have been injured in a tow truck accident, the lawyers at Reed & Terry, L.L.P. can let you know what a personal injury lawsuit may be worth. To learn more about your legal options, send us a message at your earliest convenience, or call (281) 201-0988 to schedule a free case review.