If you or your loved one has suffered injuries because of an accident involving a tow truck, contact our Buffalo tow truck accident lawyer to learn how we can assist you. At Morelli Law Firm, we can fight to help you recover financial compensation for the losses you suffered. Call (212) 751-9800 to discuss the details of your case and for guidance on the legal process of claiming compensation following a tow truck accident.
Types of Tow Truck Accidents
A tow truck body design is meant for hauling other automobiles. As such, the vehicle is large in size and carries other equipment on-board, making it weigh more than other vehicles of a similar size. The design makes tow trucks likely to cause more damage than similar cars when involved in an accident.
Tow trucks can cause a number of different crashes, including:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Underride collisions
- T-bone crashes
- Sideswipe collisions
- Blindspot crashes
There are a number of other pieces of equipment operated by tow trucks that are subject to regulation. Failure to follow proper maintenance and use procedures in operating such equipment could also be a sign of negligence in your accident case.
According to the New York Department for Motor Vehicles (DMV), the number one cause of accidents and injuries involving tow trucks is equipment failure. Overloading of the vehicle is of particular concern. For this reason, two truck drivers are expected to maintain their vehicles and equipment within certain standards, including limitations on the vehicle’s gross weight, safe towing capacity, axle weight, and more.
Our team of lawyers can investigate the details of your case for any forms of negligence, determine a value for your case, and fight for your monetary compensation.
Common Causes of Tow Truck Accidents
Since tow trucks are large, heavy, and loaded with equipment, they can be especially challenging to maneuver. Moreover, they are often pulling other vehicles. These factors may lead to increased risks of causing an accident.
The typical factors that can cause tow truck accidents include:
- Inadequately trained or inexperienced drivers
- Overloaded vehicles
- Improper truck maintenance
- Illegal lane changes
- Driver negligence or errors
- Failure to check blind spots
- Distracted driving
- The towed vehicle becoming loose
The most common factors that your lawyer may focus on to prove negligence can include faulty equipment, shoddy repairs, inadequate maintenance, and laxity in the inspection of trucks. Tow truck company employers should also exercise due diligence and hire qualified drivers who will obey federal and state laws. For example, if the company hired an untrained driver or an individual with a history of driving while intoxicated or rage driving, you may be able to hold the company liable for negligence.
Your lawyer can help you investigate whether or not a tow truck company may be held liable for your accident. Contact a lawyer to help you determine if you have a case before you proceed to file a claim.
Buffalo Tow Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Liability in a Tow Truck Accident
The driver of the tow truck may be liable for an accident. The driver could be working as an independent contractor or could be the rig owner, in which case, it is likely that responsibility for an accident would fall to the driver of the vehicle.
However, if the driver is an employee of a tow truck company, the company should be expected to follow certain regulations set by local and state traffic laws. If the company fails to fix its truck and its malfunctions, you may be able to bring an injury claim against the company for negligent maintenance.
Your lawyer will guide you on whether to pursue compensation against the driver or the company. A Buffalo tow truck accident lawyer can help you assess what transpired and inform you whether you can bring a claim against one or several parties. Call Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a consultation.
How Our Law Firm Can Help Your Claim
If you were in an accident, you may be facing many challenges, including recovery from your injuries. You do not have to pursue your claim alone. Our attorneys can help you pursue compensation for your losses, negotiating with any insurance companies as needed. We can focus on the legal details of your case so that you don’t have to.
Our injury lawyer can protect your interests in various ways, including:
- Assessing the severity of your injuries and valuing them in monetary terms
- Identifying all at-fault parties
- Establishing negligence
- Reviewing the relevant applicable state and federal laws
- Preparing necessary documentation and ensuring you do not miss important deadlines
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Suing and defending your claim in court if necessary
Personal Injury And State Statutes of Limitations
Different states have special rules on timelines for taking legal actions against negligent parties after such an accident. The statute of limitations stipulates the period within which the aggrieved party should pursue compensation after suffering injuries.
In New York, the statute of limitations applicable to personal injury cases is three years from the day of the accident, according to the New York State Unified Court System. Failure to file a claim against the at-fault parties within that period can cause you to forfeit the right to recover compensation.
In the difficult event that the accident caused a death, the surviving members of the victim’s family could only bring a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party within two years after the day of the death.
Therefore, we recommend being in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident.
Morelli Law Firm Can Work to Pursue Compensation
Our lawyers will be able to assess a range of injuries and losses you suffered as a result of your accident, including both financial and non-financial losses. Our Buffalo tow truck accident lawyer can help you pursue several different compensatory losses, including medical costs, present and future medical needs, loss of consortium, and even pain and suffering. We will help you fight for fair compensation.
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 and we can guide you in getting started in your pursuit of justice.