Tow trucks play a vital role in keeping our transportation infrastructure running. They clear accident scenes to reduce traffic jams. They also help stranded motorists get their disabled vehicles to the shop. But because tow trucks are large, heavy, and carry specialized equipment, they also carry risks. When tow trucks cause or become involved in accidents, the consequences to other drivers can be severe. Here's everything you need to know about the risks that tow truck accidents pose to other motorists.
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Why Are Tow Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
Tow truck accidents pose a higher risk to other drivers primarily because tow trucks are so much heavier than passenger vehicles. The weight difference is even greater when a tow truck is transporting another vehicle. The extra weight increases a tow truck's stopping distance and magnifies collision forces.
Tow trucks are also much harder to control, particularly in tight spaces. Their length creates a larger turning radius, making them harder to maneuver on residential roads and crowded highways. Tow truck drivers must also contend with larger blind spots compared to passenger vehicles.
It's also worth noting that tow trucks typically operate in environments that already have higher accident risks. For example, they work near accident scenes and along busy highways. There, they often have to rejoin traffic that's already moving at highway speed.
The Top Causes of Tow Truck Accidents
The top causes of tow truck accidents typically fall into one of two categories. One is operator error. The other is equipment failure. Here are the most common examples:
Failure to Secure Towed Vehicles
When picking up a vehicle for transport, a tow truck operator should perform several safety checks to ensure that they've properly secured the vehicle they're towing. If they don't, vehicles may shift, become unstable, or even detach from the tow truck. Shifting towed vehicles can make a tow truck impossible to control and lead to accidents. When towed vehicles detach, they create an immediate roadway hazard that other drivers may not have time to avoid.
Sudden, Unexpected Stops and Maneuvers
Tow trucks often stop along busy highways to assist stranded motorists. This can cause tow trucks to suddenly slow down, pull off the road, or pull onto the road with little warning. Tow trucks typically use flashing hazard lights to warn other drivers and encourage extra caution. And tow truck drivers must follow the same traffic regulations as everyone else. Regardless, the unique nature of the tow truck's role on the roads makes accidents more likely.
Blind-Spot Accidents and Wide Turns
The average tow truck needs more space to turn than a typical passenger vehicle. That required space increases when they're towing a vehicle. Drivers who misjudge their vehicle's turning radius can run other drivers off the road or collide with them. A tow truck's larger blind spots can also lead to lane change accidents, particularly when other motorists travel in areas the tow truck driver can't see.
Equipment Malfunctions
Like other heavy-duty commercial vehicles, tow trucks need constant maintenance and inspection to operate safely. Because of the work they do, they're more prone to issues like worn brakes, steering issues, and damaged tires. Plus, a tow truck's specialized equipment takes a lot of punishment. Wear and tear on winches and wheel lifts can cause sudden failures unless maintenance workers spot and fix mechanical defects.
Common Injuries From Tow Truck Accidents
Accidents involving tow trucks can cause severe injuries both to their drivers and the drivers of any involved vehicles. The size and weight of a tow truck often make the resulting injuries even worse. Here are some of the most common injury types:
- Soft tissue injuries: These include muscle tears, ligament damage, bruising, and whiplash, and are the most common injury type.
- Internal injuries and broken bones: Internal damage to organs and broken bones commonly result from tow truck accidents due to the extreme forces involved.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries may also accompany whiplash and impact injuries, leading to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and partial or complete paralysis.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Blunt force trauma to the head can cause concussions or even more severe brain injuries, affecting memory and cognition over the short or long term.
Tow truck accidents can also cause fatalities. Severely injured crash victims can face lengthy recoveries, leading to lost income and ongoing medical expenses. In some cases, their injuries can have lifelong effects.
Tow Truck Accident Liability
Tow truck accident liability isn't always straightforward. The responsibility can lie with multiple parties, and assigning blame isn't simple. Legal responsibility for an accident depends on its specific circumstances, as well as any actions that contributed to it.
Some of the parties often found liable for tow truck accidents include:
- Tow truck drivers: Speeding, distracted driving, improper loading, or unsafe driving may contribute.
- Tow truck companies: The owner of a tow truck that gets in an accident may be liable for its driver's actions or for neglecting maintenance and training or failing to adhere to safety regulations.
- Third-party maintenance providers: Sometimes, tow truck companies rely on third parties for vehicle maintenance, and they can be liable for maintenance problems that contributed to an accident.
- Equipment manufacturers: The maker of the tow truck or its specialized equipment may be liable if a design defect contributed to the collision.
After an accident, witness statements, maintenance records, and the condition of involved vehicles may help determine fault. In some cases, multiple parties may share liability.
When to Seek Legal Help
Any time you're involved in a tow truck accident, consulting a lawyer is a good idea. An experienced truck accident lawyer like the attorneys at Peterson Law Office have the training and knowledge to resolve thorny liability issues and protect your rights. That can be especially important if you've suffered severe injuries that may have consequences beyond the accident itself.