What Are Tow Truck Accident And Injury Claims?

Tow trucks provide the necessary service of hauling vehicles to safe locations. They work when drivers face issues such as having a flat tire or engine trouble and when they can do nothing to start the vehicle.

Therefore, tow trucks come to the rescue when damage makes it impossible for the vehicle to move. In addition, the arrival of tow trucks relieves drivers stuck on the road with their immobile vehicles.

When tow trucks are out on the road, they can cause issues that lead to crashes and serious injuries. Tow truck accidents are more dangerous due to their sheer mass and size compared to average passenger vehicles.

Different Types Of Tow Trucks

The tow truck accident can cause severe and debilitating injuries. severity of the injuries. Some of the different types of tow trucks are:

• Flatbed tow trucks: A flatbed tow truck uses a hydraulic lift that pulls the vehicle on to the flatbed of the towing truck.
• Hook and chain tow trucks: This type of truck uses a chain for towing vehicles. Front-wheel drive cars are not safe for hook and chain systems; the trucks are often used for towing junked vehicles. 
• Wheel-lift tow trucks: Truck uses a metal yoke to lift a vehicle. A wheel-lift tow truck can tow a vehicle by lifting either the front or rear wheels. It is thus preferable for front-wheel drive cars.
• Integrated tow trucks: Integrated tow trucks have two core-mounted arms along with several axles. Integrated tow trucks are used for towing heavy vehicles such as buses or trucks. 

Tow trucks are similar to commercial trucks in size. A car colliding with a tow truck can sustain serious vehicle damage owing to the size and weight of the tow truck and its work mechanism. Passengers can also suffer serious injuries which cause life-long problems and disabilities.

Common Causes Of Tow Truck Crashes

Accidents are mainly caused due to negligence and a tow truck is no exception. Some of the tow truck drivers may cause collisions such as

• Aggressive driving
• Drowsy driving
• Defective or poorly maintained vehicles
• Improperly secured vehicles

Sometimes, tow truck drivers may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and may not notice the traffic around them. They also need to abide by traffic rules and regulations. Tow truck mechanism failure may also cause accidents as maintenance is important. Frequent inspection will help drivers to prevent crashes. They must also follow the hours of service rule and must possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL). 

Typical Injuries From Tow Truck Accidents

When you are a victim of a tow truck accident due to a brake failure, you can sustain head, neck, and back injuries. Moreover, in some cases, a totaled car can also occur. The accident victim may sustain injuries due to the weight of a tow truck but also of the car or vehicle that is being towed. Some of the other injuries are

• Abdominal Trauma
• Bone Fracture
• Cervical Disc Injuries
• Chest Trauma
• Extremity Trauma
• Facial Lacerations
• Femur Fracture
• Wrongful death

After sustaining these injuries, the victims may also face lost wages; have to go for surgeries, experience enormous pain, and suffering.  Sometimes, the tow truck mechanisms may fail and your vehicle may get struck by a falling car. The impact can be severe as the vehicle falls from a height and can cause crushing injuries. 

A tow truck crash may involve multiple vehicles and can cause burns, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other crushing injuries including internal bleeding.

What Should You Do After A Tow Truck Accident?

You need to assess your condition, and the conditions of those who have been involved in the accident, and any others who have sustained injuries. Some of the steps that you need to follow are:

• Seek medical attention after an accident;
• Call law enforcement authorities to report the incident;
• Always remember to collect a copy of the police report. It will help in negotiation with the insurance company;
• Preserving medical records will also be helpful in the future;
• Documenting the accident scene will act as evidence because later the victim may forget important details regarding the truck accident case;
• Taking photographs of the vehicle damage and injuries along with road conditions may help in pursuing the tow truck accident settlement;
• Obtaining contact information about the witnesses of a roadway accident in Florida can also prove to be a helpful record;

Along with these, the victim may collect CCTV footage and other important details of the accident. 

Notifying The Insurance Company About The Accident Caused By The Tow Truck Driver

It is imperative to inform your insurance company about the accident and the tow truck’s involvement. You must be cautious when communicating with the insurance company. Moreover, try to avoid getting into any unnecessary arguments. It may weaken your case or may go against you in the future.

The victim should only provide the accident details and other essential facts that may be necessary. The insurance company may send their investigators to investigate the case further and may also view the police report. 

If you’ve not been paying insurance premiums the company will very likely deny the claim altogether, if your insurance is responsible. If the tow truck insurance is responsible, then the state of your insurance does not matter.

What Compensation Can You Collect After A Tow Truck Crash?

The accident victim may recover medical expenses including ongoing medical care bills after filing a truck accident lawsuit. The medical treatment may include such items as surgical procedures, hospitalization, tests, and other rehabilitation costs. 

After suffering a car accident due to the negligence of a tow-truck driver, you may also experience lost wages leading to financial stress. Some injuries may be long lasting and require in-home nursing care. There may be transportation costs, daycare expenses for children and non-economic damages as well.

Need Legal Support To Negotiate With Insurance Adjusters? Contact Us Today

Insurance companies may offer a settlement that may be low. Therefore, you should discuss any offer with a fort myers personal injury attorney. Schedule a free case consultation or fill out our contact form.

FAQs On Tow Truck Accidents