Tow Truck Accidents
The damages of a car accident depend largely on the degree of the accident impact, which is determined by the weight and speed of involved vehicles. Since tow trucks are large and heavy, they tend to create a lot of damage when they are involved in an accident.
People involved in tow truck accidents often have questions regarding how much compensation they are due, as well as who is responsible for accident damages. The truck accident attorneys at Moody Law have handled many cases involving tow truck crashes. Our legal team has the knowledge necessary to get our Lakeland, FL, and Winter Haven, FL, clients the maximum compensation they are due for accident losses.
Types of Tow Trucks
Just as there are many different passenger vehicles on the road, there are several different types of tow trucks. The type of tow truck that is involved in an accident can have a significant impact on the likelihood of an accident and the degree of damages that the accident causes.
- Flatbed tow truck: A flatbed tow truck uses a hydraulic lift to pull a vehicle onto the flat bed of the tow truck.
- Hook and chain tow truck: A hook and chain tow truck uses a wrapped chain to tow vehicles. Because this system is not good for front-wheel drive cars, this type of tow truck is primarily used to tow junked vehicles.
- Wheel-lift tow truck: A wheel-lift tow truck uses a metal yoke to lift a vehicle by its front or rear wheels. This system is generally not considered as safe as that used by a flatbed tow truck.
- Integrated tow truck: An integrated tow truck has a core-mounted tow arm and numerous axles. This type of tow truck is used to tow trucks or buses.
Causes of Tow Truck Accidents
Tow truck accidents are frequently the result of driver error or mechanical malfunctions, but there are many factors that can lead to this type of collision. Some of the most common causes of tow truck accidents involving our clients include:
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue (often linked to hours of service violations)
- Inexperience or inadequate driver training
- Improperly loaded car
- Tow malfunction
- Vehicle malfunction
Tow Truck Damages
Damages in a tow truck accident tend to be pretty significant. Aside from the property damage that a tow truck accident causes, they often result in personal injuries, which in turn lead to financial losses. Victims of tow truck accidents may be due financial compensation for the full extent of their losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses related to injuries
- Lost wages
- A loss of wage-earning potential
- Pain and suffering
Who Is Liable for Damages?
Since tow trucks are operated by employees of a towing company, accident victims often are not sure who should provide compensation for resulting losses. Our legal team will investigate the details of a tow truck accident to determine the person or party that should be held accountable. Depending on the cause of the accident, liable parties may include:
- The tow truck driver
- The owner of the towing company
- The owner of the tow truck
- The tow truck mechanic and maintenance provider
Contact Us
If you have been injured in a tow truck accident, you have likely suffered significant losses. The truck accident attorneys at Moody Law can help you collect financial compensation for those losses. To learn more about our legal services, send us a message at your earliest convenience, or call (863) 733-9090.