TOW TRUCKS: A BIG HELP OR ACCIDENT IN WAITING?
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We all know that tow trucks are usually around when there’s a problem: when someone breaks down, gets into a car accident or for a jump start. What we also hear about – especially here in California – are accidents caused by tow trucks.
— Earlier this year a dramatic story unfolded in Norway. A truck was being towed down a snow covered mountain when the tow truck lost control and fell down a 200-for hill.
— Five people perished – including the tow truck driver – when a tow truck struck a passenger vehicle in Pennsylvania.
— A tow-truck driver allegedly drank 72-ounces of beer before he went out on a call to aide a distressed vehicle. He wound up striking the woman who called for the tow truck, and the woman died later that day.
We think of tow truck drivers as safe things on our roads and for the most part they are. BUT! – and think about this – tow trucks are big, incredibly heavy vehicles that spend a lot of time on the road and are often driven by men/women who work long, stressful hours. This – like 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, buses and any other vehicle that spends a lot of time on the road – can be a recipe for disaster, which in this case means a higher volume of negligent, injury-laden accidents.
ARE LAWSUITS INVOLVING TOW TRUCKS ANY DIFFERENT?
Two truck related personal injury lawsuits can be entirely more complex than say a straight-forward car accident. There can be many, many variables involved in a tow truck accident and as many variables for why the tow truck driver, tow truck owner and any other related parties, corporations or product manufacturers that could be liable for the accident. For instance if you are driving behind a tow truck that is towing a car, the car comes loose and hits your vehicle. In this instance the driver, the two truck company and even the manufacturer of the towing mechanisms on the tow truck could all be part of the lawsuit. Another factor of this example could be whether or not the property damage and personal injuries sustained are due to the tow truck or the vehicle that was dropped from the tow truck.
Most important thing is that…
YOU NEVER, EVER HAVE TO GO THROUGH A LAWSUIT ALONE
…if you think you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, train accident, plane accident, motorcycle accident or any form or fashion of personal injury, and you’d like to know your legal and financial rights, then pick up a phone for a free, confidential intake call.
REMEMBER: AFTER AN INJURY, DON’T SIGN ANYTHING AN INSURANCE COMPANY WANTS YOU TO SIGN UNTIL YOU HAVE CONSULTED AN ATTORNEY.
