Tow Truck Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Truck Accident Lawyer / Tow Truck Accidents

Injured in a tow truck accident? A tow truck accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help

If you or someone you love were hit by a tow truck or seriously injured due to a tow truck operator's negligence when loading or unloading your vehicle, you might be entitled to compensation. Most of us think of tow trucks as rescue vehicles on the road. However, recent studies show that tow truck operators face a serious risk of injury and death due to car collisions and other dangers on the job.

Tow truck drivers hurt on the job, whether due to a tow truck accident, faulty equipment, lack of safety standards, or other reason, may also be eligible for monetary damages. When our cars break down, have flat tires, or are involved in fender-benders, tow trucks can be there to rescue them. However, tow trucks are also large vehicles with limited sight lines and significant blind spots that can cause long-lasting injury and damage when involved in automobile collisions and truck accidents.

If you are hit by a tow truck while driving or injured on the job as a tow truck operator, you might think that all personal injury law firms are the same. However, one look at our track record, and you will see the tow truck accident lawyers at Munley law stand out above the rest. This includes our 60-plus years of experience and millions of dollars won in verdicts and settlements for clients just like you.

The tow truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have achieved million-dollar settlements and verdicts for their clients in what can be complex tow truck accident cases. If you are injured in a tow truck crash, you need a dedicated, aggressive attorney who understands truck accident law and will fight to win. We understand the difficulties trucking accident victims face and we'll help you with your claim. Schedule a free consultation today with our tow truck accident lawyer.

How Are Tow Truck Accidents Different?

Not too long ago, a 29-year-old tow truck driver from Dauphin County, PA, lost his life when he was struck and killed by a car while attempting to assist a driver on Interstate 78. It was a tragic incident for all involved and happens all too often for tow truck drivers. The nature of their job places them in dangerous and precarious situations. While tow trucks are there to assist drivers on the road, tow truck wrecks occur — for both drivers and operators — because of the dangers associated with the trucks and the job itself.

Unlike typical car accidents, which involve passenger vehicles, tow truck crashes involve a large tow truck with a flatbed or other equipment carrying another car. The extra weight and size can increase the tow truck's chances of being in an accident. In addition, cables and hooks can make a tow truck challenging to drive and lower an operator's visibility.

While it might seem counterintuitive, operators' reckless driving is one of the most significant causes of tow truck accidents. If you have ever been in an automobile accident, you have most likely seen a glut of tow trucks arrive within minutes. In fact, many tow truck drivers are paid to carry as many cars as possible. Therefore, their companies encourage them to drive recklessly, speed, go through red lights, and more. Because of this drive for profits over safety, many people are hit by tow trucks — they are side-swiped, rear-ended, and hit in their blind spots.

Drivers hit by tow trucks on the open road need tow truck crash lawyers specializing in their field. Tow truck drivers injured while going to a call need an attorney who understands their work.

Why Do Tow Truck Accidents Happen?

Tow truck crashes occur for many reasons. Some of these include:

• Driving too fast or reckless driving
• Not paying attention to the road
• Inexperienced
• Bad weather
• Slick road conditions
• Mechanical failures in the tow truck
• Breaking the law to be first on the scene
• Blocking or impeding traffic
• Not using the proper warning signs
• Drowsy driving or driving under the influence

Statistics show that tow truck driving is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tow truck drivers have one of the country's highest rates of accidents and death. While most research focuses on other first responders such as police and fire-persons, the CDC recently found that tow truck accidents caused the deaths of 191 operators between 2011 and 2016. That's 43 deaths per 100,000 workers — 15 times higher than any other private industry.

Passengers and operators involved in a tow truck wreck or hit by a tow truck need to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer. Injuries caused by such accidents can result in extensive medical expenses, loss of jobs and wages, emotional distress, and more. For these reasons, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer. Our team of personal injury attorneys at Munley law has over six decades of experience and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Tow Truck Crash?

If you are involved in a tow truck wreck that causes you serious injury, you want to go after the person or persons liable. In some cases, if the tow truck driver was driving recklessly or not following you at a safe distance, resulting in your car being hit by a tow truck, then the tow truck driver might be at fault for the accident. Any number of actions could make the tow truck operator liable, including speeding, not securing the vehicle properly, drunk driving, and more.

Sometimes, the towing company is responsible for the tow truck accident. If the towing company did not do proper maintenance on the truck or did not hire a driver who could legally drive, for example, then you might be able to hold them liable for your injuries.

Still, in other cases, when you are hit by a tow truck, or even when you are a tow truck operator injured while on the job, you may be able to file a product liability case. While towing companies are responsible for maintaining the safety of their vehicles, sometimes faulty equipment like recalled brakes or other parts could lead to the manufacturer being liable.

What Compensation Can I Receive After a Trucking Accident?

When you or a loved one are injured in an accident involving a tow truck or injured while driving a tow truck, your pain is more than physical. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our truck accident attorneys understand that time lost from work, lost wages, emotional pain and suffering, and more takes a toll on you and your family. It's difficult to put a dollar amount on your pain and suffering, but we can help put you back on the road to healing after a tow truck wreck and make you whole again.

Our team of experienced tow truck accident attorneys will do what it takes to win you the largest settlement or verdict possible. We can help you and your family receive compensation for a variety of different things when you are involved in a tow truck accident, including:

• Lost income
• Medical Bills
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium

How Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You With Your Claim

When you are in a tow truck accident, and you or your loved ones suffer serious injuries, you need the Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys competitive advantage. Our team of experienced truck accident attorneys can make you whole again. You deserve compensation for your tow truck accident injuries. The experienced attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help.

Whether you are part of the driving public or the employee of a tow truck company, you will be going up against a tough defense in a tow truck accident case. The other side will have an adversarial team of investigators and lawyers working for them, and you need the same. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our experienced team of tow truck crash attorneys can pull together investigators, expert witnesses, creative use of discovery, and more to help you build the most robust case possible. We will take photographs, document evidence, and account for everything, including eyewitness accounts, skid marks, accident debris, fluid stains, police reports, motor carrier records, witness statements, photographs, and safety logs.

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we have a team of expert witnesses to help you win your truck accident case. These are men and women with a deep understanding and knowledge of the tow truck industry and the law, as well as engineers, medical professionals, economists, caregivers, and accident re-constructionists. They can help you build a winning case when you are hit by a tow truck.

If you were injured in a tow truck accident and need help with your claim, contact our truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tow Truck Accidents

Q: What Are the Different Types of Tow Trucks?

Not all tow trucks look alike. If you are involved in a tow truck crash, can you identify the vehicle?

We all know what a tow truck looks like. Since we were children, we learned to identify a tow truck as a friendly face that can help us in a time of need. But when you are involved in a tow truck accident and shaken up from an injury, it may be difficult to remember every detail. Here's everything you need to know about the five different types of tow trucks on the road today.

• Hook and Chain Tow Truck: These are one-ton tow trucks with a wench. As per the name, hook and chain tow trucks use hooks and chains to tow automobiles.
• Wheel-Lift Tow Truck: These are similar in concept to Hook and Chain tow trucks. The main difference is that the chains hooks up to a device that goes underneath the car and lifts the front end off the ground.
• Heavy Duty Tow Trucks: As per the name, these tow trucks tow heavy-duty vehicles such as buses or 18-wheelers. They are sturdy and have an extra axle for heavy lifting.
• Flatbed Tow Truck: A flatbed tow truck has a flatbed on the back to tow cars. It uses a hydraulic lift to tilt to the ground and lift the vehicle on the bed.
• Rollback Tow Truck: A rollback is like a flatbed, but the bed moves back and tilts. The rear end lowers to the ground like a ramp to load the vehicle.

Chat live, email us, fill out our contact form, or call for a free consultation today.

Q: What Should I Do at the Scene of a Tow Truck Accident?

A: When you or a loved one are hit by a tow truck, it can be shocking, devastating, and scary. But there are a few things you should do to protect yourself and your family to ensure your safety. Furthermore, as the shock of the accident begins to wear off, you want to make sure that you do not admit fault to anyone, even in passing. That means never saying “I'm sorry,” as much as you may want to. Here's a list of things to do when involved in a tow truck accident:

• Stay calm. Remain in your vehicle if it is safe.
• Turn your hazards on to signal to others.
• Call 911, no matter how minor your injuries are.
• Seek out medical attention.
• Take down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all parties involved.
• Take down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all witnesses.
• Write down the names and badge numbers of any police officers at the scene.
• Take photographs of your vehicle and the tow truck.
• Photograph any injuries.

You are not required to give a statement to the other driver's insurance company. You should only discuss the accident with the police and your insurance company. And under no circumstances should you leave the scene of the accident.

Q: What Are the Most Common Injuries That Occur in a Tow Truck Accident?

A: While no one likes to think about injuries, being involved in a tow truck accident can cause serious harm to a person. Some of the more common injuries include:

• Fractures and broken bones
• Head injuries
• Brain injuries
• Internal injuries (bleeding, soft tissue damage, organ injuries)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Amputation

Even minor injuries may cause something more serious down the line. Because of this, you should always seek medical attention right away after a tow truck accident.

Q: What If I Can't Afford a Tow Truck Accident Lawyer?

A: Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys charges tow truck accident clients on a contingency basis. That means that the attorney is only paid if he or she wins money damages for you. This makes it possible for anyone to hire the best possible legal representation. It also gives you the same caliber attorneys that insurance companies, transportation companies, and other defendants can hire.

Nothing is more devastating than being hit by a tow truck. Injuries may be life-threatening, and medical costs can amount to tens of thousands of dollars. This is even more impactful if your insurance does not cover all of your expenses. We are here to help. If you've been injured in a truck accident, then don't wait much longer.

Q: What Should I Do After I Am Hit by a Tow Truck?

A: The days after a tow truck accident can feel like a blur. While you may still be in a state of shock, there are a few things that you should take care of right away while they are still fresh in your mind. Here's a list of things you should do after a tow truck accident:

• Obtain your tow truck crash police report.
• Have your insurance company perform a valuation of the damage.
• Keep track of all of your out-of-pocket expenses.
• Write down any work or activities you miss.
• Detail thoroughly all of your doctor's visits.
• Maintain copies of any test results, prescriptions, treatments, or other relevant medical information from the doctor.

In the days after a tow truck accident, an insurance carrier may attempt to settle with you. Never accept a settlement without a lawyer. It's also a good idea to keep track of all of your medical symptoms in a journal.

Q: What should I look for when hiring a tow truck accident lawyer?

A: When you are involved in a tow truck accident, you need an experienced truck accident attorney. Your lawyer has the skills and experience to compete against a powerful law firm and win you the compensation you deserve. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we recommend you lookout for the following when choosing an attorney:

• Experience: Find a tow truck accident attorney who understands the ins and outs of the law
• Success: Find a truck accident attorney with a track record for winning
• Comfort: Find a tow truck accident lawyer who listens to you

Our team of experienced tow truck accident attorneys will do what it takes to win you the largest settlement or verdict possible. We can help you and your family receive compensation for everything you need when involved in a tow truck accident.

Q: I Am a Tow Truck Driver That Was Hit By a Car. Can I Sue?

A: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accidents are the number one cause of death among tow truck drivers. Although the majority of states have Move Over Laws, which require motor vehicle drivers to slow down or change lanes when approaching an emergency vehicle, many drivers are unaware these laws exist.

If a tow truck driver gets into an accident, they do have the option to sue the third party for their injuries. They also have the option to file a workers' compensation claim with their employer, if the accident happened while they were working. Workers' compensation benefits will pay for their medical costs and lost wages they experience because of the workplace accident.

Contact our tow truck driver accident lawyer to learn your legal options following an accident.

Contact a Tow Truck Accident Lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation

Automobile accidents of any kind can cause serious emotional and physical pain and suffering. But tow truck accidents can turn your life upside down. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our team of experienced attorneys wrote the book on tow truck crashes. We understand how your injuries can affect your livelihood, your family, and your emotional well-being.

For more than 60 years, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has been the go-to firm for injured workers and their families. The tow truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are recognized nationwide as leaders in truck accident law. No firm is more experienced or successful in handling truck crash cases.

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we believe that cost should not stand in the way of justice for the injured. Therefore, we do not collect a fee for our services unless we recover benefits for you. As our client, you will not have to pay anything up front or out of your pocket.

Chat, email, or call us today to arrange a free consultation with a tow truck accident lawyer.