We’ve all seen them. As soon as there is a wreck, the two trucks come screaming in like vultures. They are everywhere, just like flies on…. Well, let’s just say they’re everywhere. You may have seen them whiz by you at up to twice the legal speed limit. Are they doing this because they have the RIGHT to speed, like a police car or fire truck? No, they are speeding out of pure greed—because they want to be the first one on the scene to they can grab a car to tow.
Remember, if you were struck and injured by a tow truck, you need a law firm that knows the law and how to get you every penny you deserve. Our attorneys have been getting maximum recoveries on tow truck accident cases for decades, so call us right now at 1-800-898-4877 or contact us by clicking HERE to discuss your case for free.
SECRET #1—They are NOT like ordinary trucks!
Remember that tow trucks are built to haul other heavy vehicles, so they are massive and heavy themselves. With all the winches, cable, and other equipment on board, they can often weigh twice as much or more as other vehicles their size. According to the rules of physics, the heavier a vehicle is traveling at a given speed, the more damage that vehicle will cause in an accident.
Given the fact that most tow truck accidents occur when they are speeding, this just magnifies the forces involved in the collision. For these reasons, tow truck accident injuries are some of the most serious that we see in our firm. These accidents can leave you with piles of medical bills and serious pain that keeps you home from work—or even in the hospital for a lengthy stay. All in all, a tow truck accident can disrupt your life in many ways. It’s only natural that you want to recover as much money as you can to compensate you for your losses.
But tow truck accidents can prove more complex than regular car accidents for different reasons. You need the right legal representation in these cases. The offices of Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law have been handling tow truck accidents for decades, we know all the rules of the game, and we know how to maximize your recovery after a tow truck crash. Please call today and read on to learn more about the secrets to winning your tow truck accident claim.
SECRET #2 – Who’s Responsible? (This Might Surprise You!)
Like any type of traffic accident, the first thing you need to figure out is: Who is responsible for your losses? Tow truck accidents can happen in different ways—the truck could collide directly into your vehicle, the car on the tow truck could come loose and crash into your car, the truck could run you off the road, and more.
You need an experienced attorney to determine liability by closely examining the circumstances of the crash and collecting evidence of who had a part in causing the crash. This can take many resources. As a crash victim, you may not even know where to begin. Part of our job in representing tow truck accident victims is to perform that investigation.
A few different parties may face liability in a tow truck case, including:
- Tow truck drivers – All tow truck drivers should receive proper training on how to drive this type of truck and how to use all of the equipment on the truck. Drivers should also always drive the tow truck safely. When a driver makes a mistake or an error in judgment and crashes, any injured party can hold the driver responsible for negligence. Common examples of tow truck driver negligence include distracted driving, drunk driving (no, really, we’ve seen this!), speeding, violating traffic laws, not properly securing a car on the tow truck, and more.
- Towing companies – Here’s one big secret: The towing company wants you to focus on what the driver did and not what the company did—or failed to do! Towing companies may face liability for a towing accident in different ways. First, if the tow truck driver is an employee of the towing company, you can hold the company strictly liable for the negligence of the driver. However, keep in mind that many tow truck drivers either own their own rigs or work as independent contractors. An attorney should examine whether to hold the company strictly liable. Also, towing companies should never hire drivers they know are dangerous or unqualified. If someone’s driving record shows a history of road rage or drunk driving, a company shouldn’t hire that person. If that driver then gets in another accident, the company could face responsibility for negligent hiring. Finally, if a company doesn’t regularly fix its trucks and the truck malfunctions, you can sue for negligent maintenance and hold the company liable for your medical bills and other losses.
Once we identify the liable parties, we handle the entire insurance claim process for our clients. Companies and their insurers will do everything possible to limit your claim—but we will stand up for your rights against them. You can trust that we will not back down when fighting for the recovery you deserve after a tow truck accident. We can handle insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits (if necessary) for you so that you can focus on getting your life back on track after your injury.
SECRET #3—Tow Trucks Are NOT Entitled to Special Treatment Like Police Cars and Fire Trucks
While tow trucks are considered emergency vehicles, they are generally NOT entitled to the same laws of governmental immunity that govern police cars, fire trucks, and many ambulances. Oftentimes, “sovereign immunity” makes claims against a police car or fire truck very difficult.
Most tow trucks, however, are privately owned and privately operated. This means that they are subject to the same rules regarding negligence and expectations of reasonable operation as the rest of us. When they cause an accident, they can (and should) be held liable, just like us. Also, they often have commercial insurance policies, so the amount of coverage is much greater. This allows you to recover a much larger amount of money if you are seriously injured—but only if you have an attorney who understands the laws and how the coverage works.
Our Tow Truck Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help You
The attorneys of Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law are nationally recognized tow truck accident lawyers who have protected the rights of injured victims for more than 20 years. If you were injured because of the negligence of a tow truck driver, whether you were struck, or injured because of a lost load, call our office right now to schedule a free consultation! Because we take all of our personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. To schedule your case evaluation, call us today at (800) 898-4877 or contact us now by clicking HERE.
