Tow trucks are a necessary part of life. When vehicles break down on the roadway, motorists look to tow truck drivers and tow companies to help them take their car to receive repairs. However, tow trucks are vehicles like any other, and motorists can also suffer injuries related to accidents directly involving tow trucks.
There are several different types of tow trucks, including flatbed trucks, hook and chain tow trucks, integrated tow trucks, and wheel lift tow trucks. No matter the type, if you suffered injuries due to an accident with any kind of tow truck, you may want to consult with a Los Angeles tow truck lawyer to learn how they can help you. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 for a free no-obligation consultation with a member of our team.
Causes of Tow Truck Accidents
Tow trucks can cause unique types of accidents on the roadways that result in more serious and catastrophic injuries than those of typical passenger vehicle accidents. Some of the unique ways a tow truck can directly cause an accident with other motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians include the following:
- The towed vehicle becomes unlatched from the tow truck due to a faulty tie-down or hooking mechanism, or negligence.
- The tow truck driver operates the truck negligently by speeding, tailgating, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving while distracted, driving while fatigued, or driving in another negligent manner.
- The towing company failed to train the tow truck driver properly or ensure that the driver had appropriate credentials and training to operate a tow truck safely.
- The tow truck itself had a manufacturing defect or flaw that either directly caused the accident or caused the accident to be much more severe.
- The tie-down straps, latches, or hooking mechanisms suffered from flaws or defects.
- The trucking company failed to properly maintain the tow truck, resulting in an accident due to a tire blowout, steering failure, or other vehicle failure.
Determining Liability
CCP Section 22658 spells out the authority for tow trucks to remove vehicles, but it does not include one of the most important aspects of a tow truck case—determining liability and responsibility in case of an accident.
After this determination occurs, a victim will know who they can file a claim against to receive compensation for their medical bills, loss of wages due to their inability to return to work, pain and suffering, and property damage. An investigation may ultimately determine that the tow truck driver, the trucking company, or the manufacturer is liable for the accident and responsible for the victim’s injuries and losses.
In some cases, an investigation will determine that more than one party has responsibility for the injuries, damages, and losses of a victim. In these cases, a victim may file a claim against all liable parties. You may find it beneficial to speak with a Los Angeles tow truck lawyer. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free no-obligation consultation with a member of our team.
For a free legal consultation with a Tow Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Insurance Company Negotiations
You may have the legal right to file a claim against either the tow truck driver, the tow truck company, or the manufacturer of a defective part or component of the truck. In some cases, after a determination of liability occurs, victims feel overwhelmed regarding their next steps.
Negotiating with an insurance company can prove challenging, and in some cases, extremely adversarial. Whether you are negotiating with the insurance company of the tow truck driver, the trucking company, or the manufacturing company, make sure to consider the following as you visit with insurance company representatives:
- Never agree to have your phone calls or conversations recorded in any way. Individual pieces of your conversation can later come up out of context and provide a basis upon which an insurance company will offer lower settlement amounts.
- Never engage in small talk with insurance company adjusters. In many cases, an insurance company representative will ask seemingly harmless questions such as, “How are you today?” or “How have you been feeling?” Your answers to these questions can provide a foundation upon which an insurance company states that the fact you indicated you felt “fine” or “better” justifies a lower settlement amount. Stick only to the facts, even if it feels uncomfortable not to answer seemingly harmless questions.
- Never allow an insurance company access to the entirety of your medical records. Insurance companies often attempt to ask for all medical records of a victim hoping to find some sort of pre-existing condition that would allow them to offer a lower settlement amount—or even perhaps no settlement at all.
You only have the responsibility to provide an insurance company with the medical records that directly pertain to the accident involving the tow truck. Additionally, you should consider waiting to sign a medical release of your medical documents until your physician indicates that you have completely healed from all your injuries related to your tow truck accident.
- Never accept the first settlement amount offered by an insurance company. In many cases, insurance companies will offer extremely low settlement amounts to the victim who they know faces substantial medical bills along with lost wages due to the inability to return to work. However, the first settlement offer is typically the lowest offer an insurance company will provide.
- Understand that insurance companies will often use delay tactics. In many cases, insurance companies will intentionally postpone determinations regarding your settlement in an effort to frustrate victims so that they will accept lower settlement offers instead of waiting.
Los Angeles Tow Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
How a Los Angeles Tow Truck Lawyer Can Help
If you suffered injuries or losses due to an accident involving a tow truck, you might face overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, loss of future wages, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and property damage. CCP Section 335.1 holds that you have only two years from the date of injury to commence action against a liable party, and you may be feeling overwhelmed when dealing with insurance companies and unsure whether to accept certain settlement offers.
If you were in an accident involving a tow truck, you may want to consider contacting the legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation. Our team members can explain your legal rights and help you understand how a Los Angeles tow truck lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies to potentially secure you a settlement.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form