Tow Truck Accident Lawyer
Last updated Monday, November 18th, 2024
If you were hurt in a tow truck accident in Connecticut, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. But legal help is available. The experienced Connecticut tow truck accident lawyers at Wocl Leydon can guide you through the legal process and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
At the law firm of Wocl Leydon, we can explain your legal options and build a strong case to hold the tow truck driver, towing company, or another liable party accountable for what they cost you. We are prepared to negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement and take them to court if they won’t agree to one.
Contact our Connecticut tow truck accident lawyers now for your free case review.
Get Your FREE Case Review,
In Person or Virtually Online
Types of Tow Trucks
Different tow trucks are designed to handle different vehicle and towing requirements. Some of the most common types of tow trucks include:
- Flatbed tow trucks – Trucks with flatbed platforms that can load vehicles onto the bed with a winch and haul them when they are not running or drivable
- Wheel-lift tow trucks – Trucks with devices that lift the front or rear wheels of vehicles off the ground and then pull them to the appropriate location
- Boom tow trucks – Trucks with booms or cranes that lift the front or rear of the towed vehicle off the ground
- Integrated tow trucks – Trucks with combinations of different towing devices, such as winches, booms, and wheel lifts, that can handle a range of situations
Common Causes and Types of Tow Truck Accidents in Connecticut
Many factors can contribute to tow truck accidents. Some of the most typical causes include:
- Speeding – If a tow truck driver exceeds the posted speed limit, it is harder for them to maintain control of the truck, especially when towing another vehicle.
- Distracted driving – If a tow truck driver is using their phone, eating, or otherwise not paying attention to the road, they are far more likely to crash.
- Impaired driving – Tow truck drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even extreme fatigue have an impaired ability to drive safely.
- Driver error – Tow truck drivers who neglect to use their turn signals, check their blind spots, or obey traffic laws are unpredictable and put other drivers at risk.
- Inexperience – Inexperience-related tow truck accidents can occur when new drivers lack experience operating a tow truck.
- Mechanical defects – The tow truck might experience mechanical defects, such as brake failures or tire blowouts, that can lead to an accident. The towing equipment could also fail and cause the towed vehicle to detach.
- Improper loading – If a tow truck driver fails to load or secure the other vehicle properly, the vehicle can detach from the tow truck in transit and cause a wreck. An improperly balanced towed vehicle can make the truck unstable, cause the driver to lose control, and result in a collision.
When tow truck drivers fail to drive safely or obey the rules of the road, they can be liable for various types of tow truck accidents, such as:
- Tow truck rollover accidents
- Rear-end tow truck collisions
- Head-on tow truck collisions
- Side-impact tow truck collisions
- Tow truck jackknife accidents
- T-bone tow truck accidents
- Tow truck hit and run
- Tow truck override accidents
- Tow truck unhitching accidents
- Tow truck pedestrian accidents
- Tow truck bicycle accidents
- Multi-vehicle tow truck accidents
Get Your FREE Case Review,
In Person or Virtually Online
Tow Truck Accident Injuries and Potential Compensation
Tow trucks are massive vehicles that impart significant force when they strike other vehicles or road users. As a result, tow truck accident victims commonly sustain serious crash injuries, like:
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Seatbelt and airbag injuries
- Abdominal and internal injuries
- Dislocated or broken bones
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Emotional and psychological injuries
- Fatal injuries and wrongful death
If you were involved in an accident with an at-fault tow truck driver, you could seek monetary compensation for the following types of losses:
- Hospital bills and other medical costs you have due to the accident
- Future medical expenses due to accident-related injuries
- Lost wages from any time you miss work due to the accident
- Projected losses in future earning potential due to long-term injuries
- Pain, suffering, diminished quality of life, and other subjective losses
- Incidental costs, such as out-of-pocket expenses for medical travel
Determining Liability for a Tow Truck Accident in Connecticut
Our attorneys will look at a range of evidence as we build a case for compensation. Such evidence might include the following:
- Photos of wreckage, visible injuries, and the surrounding crash scene
- Videos of the collision from dash cams or traffic cameras
- Information from the police crash report and any relevant toxicology tests or citations
- Statements from reliable eyewitnesses who saw the accident occur
- Testimony from experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists
- The tow truck driver’s cell phone, GPS, and vehicle maintenance records
- The towing company’s screening, hiring, training, and dispatch records
What Should I Do After a Tow Truck Accident?
If you get hurt in a tow truck accident in Connecticut, taking the following steps can protect your health and legal rights:
- Seek medical care to have a doctor diagnose, treat, and document your injuries.
- Follow your doctor’s care plan to promote the healing process.
- Gather evidence from the crash scene, including photos of the wreckage, contact and insurance information from the other driver, and statements from eyewitnesses.
- Hang on to medical bills, proof of income, and other crash-related documents.
- Document your recovery by starting a journal to record your observations.
- Watch what you say to the tow truck driver, the towing company, the insurance company, and any other parties until you speak with an attorney.
- Avoid sharing any information or photos online while your claim is pending.
- Discuss your case with a trusted attorney at Wocl Leydon and let us handle the details.
Contact Our Experienced Connecticut Tow Truck Accident Attorneys
Were you hurt in an accident with a tow truck that wasn’t your fault? The Connecticut personal injury lawyers at Wocl Leydon are ready to help you with your injury claim. We represent injured people throughout Connecticut. Contact our firm now to discuss the details of your case in a free initial consultation session with a Connecticut tow truck accident attorney.