There are thousands of large trucks on the roads every day. That includes tow trucks that move vehicles from one location to another in Roswell. When something goes wrong, it can lead to an accident with serious consequences.
After a tow truck accident, you might need help from a Roswell tow truck accident lawyer. Our experienced lawyers at John Foy & Associates understand the toll this type of collision can have. We know what it takes to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.
We have over 20 years of experience working on these types of cases. We’ll go over your accident and your rights during a FREE consultation. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started today.
Types of Tow Trucks
There are several types of tow trucks, each with its own advantages. Common types include:
- Flatbed
- Wheel lift
- Hook and chain
- Oversized towing
Each tow truck type can be hazardous if the driver isn’t careful. These vehicles are much larger and bulkier than others. If the driver is inexperienced or negligent in some way, they can cause a serious accident.
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How Tow Truck Accidents Happen
Some hazards are unique to tow trucks. For example, an accident might happen because of:
- Too-heavy towing loads
- Defective equipment
- Breaking chains
Truck driver carelessness might also contribute to the accident. Types of driver negligence include:
- Driver fatigue
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Backing up unsafely
Tow truck drivers often have unusual schedules. Vehicles need towing at all hours of the day and night. This can lead to long shifts and grueling hours. If a driver doesn’t get enough rest, the fatigue can lead them to cause an accident.
Drivers must also be careful when loading other vehicles onto the tow truck. Maneuvering a vehicle onto a tow truck is complicated, and the driver must be properly trained. Once the vehicle is loaded, the driver must carefully operate the truck through traffic. A fully-loaded truck can be incredibly heavy, increasing the risk of an accident.
Examples of Tow Truck Accidents
Tow truck crashes can happen in many different ways. When a driver is negligent or something goes wrong, it can lead to:
- Jackknifing accidents
- Fallen cargo accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Rear-end or head-on collisions
- Unsafe lane change accidents
Large trucks have large blind spots. If a driver isn’t careful to make up for the blind spot, they can collide with a car in an adjacent lane.
Tow truck accidents can also happen due to vehicle defects. For example, defective brakes can lead to brake failure. Broken securement devices might cause vehicles to fall from the truck. If this happens, the damage can be catastrophic.
Liability in a Tow Truck Accident
Everyone on the roads in Roswell has a “duty of care” to drive safely. If a driver is not careful, it’s known as negligence. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-1-2, negligence is a lack of ordinary care. When someone is negligent and it leads to an accident, that person or party is liable for the damages.
Commercial drivers have an even higher duty of care. When a tow truck driver is on the road, they must be incredibly careful to avoid causing harm. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.
The details will determine who is responsible for your tow truck accident. The liable party could be:
- A tow truck driver whose negligence led to the accident
- A trucking company, if the driver is an employee
- A vehicle manufacturer, if defective truck parts led to the accident
- A maintenance company, if poor maintenance led to the crash
Tow truck drivers are either employees or independent contractors. If the driver is a contractor, they could be personally liable for the accident damages. However, the trucking company is probably at fault if they employ the driver. If another issue led to the crash, such as a defect, another company could be responsible.
You will need to determine who was at fault for your accident. In some cases, more than one party might be at fault. From there, you’ll know where to file a claim for compensation.
Talk to a Roswell tow truck accident lawyer after your accident. They can identify the at-fault party and help you file an insurance claim or lawsuit. A lawyer will know how to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
To learn more during a free consultation, call our team at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Tow Truck Accident Injuries
An injured person in a tow truck accident can suffer greatly. It’s common for victims to have serious or life-threatening injuries. Those injuries might prevent the victim from returning to work for a long time—if at all.
If you were injured in a tow truck accident, always document your injuries. After getting treatment, see a doctor if you experience any additional pain or worsening symptoms. Also, don’t wait to get medical attention after the collision.
Common injuries from a tow truck crash include:
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations
- Injuries that lead to death
Too many people lose their lives in tow truck accidents. If a family member died, you might have a wrongful death claim. Our lawyers can help you and your family seek the compensation you deserve.
Talk to a Roswell Tow Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Tow truck accidents are often severe, if not catastrophic. If you or a loved one were a victim, you have legal rights. You can file a claim to seek compensation for your accident damages. At John Foy & Associates, we can help fight for the recovery you deserve.
Our lawyers have over 20 years of experience helping accident victims. As the “Strong Arm” in Georgia, we are not afraid to stand up to insurance companies. Contact us today to learn your options during a FREE consultation.
Call (404) 400-4000 or fill out the form on our contact page to get your FREE consultation.
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