When a vehicle breaks down or is in an accident, a tow truck comes to clear traffic. Tow trucks can be used to tow malfunctioning vehicles off the road to maintenance companies. However, they can also be dangerous if not used safely and properly. Tow trucks are large vehicles that are commonly carrying another vehicle as well. They can be difficult to maneuver if the driver is not adequately trained.
If you were involved in a tow truck accident, an Abbeville tow truck accident lawyer may be able to help you with your case. You might be entitled to receive compensation for the damages you sustained in the accident. Our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can review your case for free. Call today at (337) 777-7777 to get started.
Tow Truck Accident Causes Can Stem from a Variety of Reasons
Being a tow truck driver is a surprisingly dangerous profession. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), workers in the tow trucking industry suffered 6,400 work-related injuries or illnesses that resulted in time missed from work from 2011 to 2016.
Accidents can be caused by a variety of reasons. Tow trucks are complex vehicles, often carrying at least one other vehicle. Causes for tow truck accidents may include:
Unsecured Load
One of the most dangerous things a tow truck driver can do is to secure their load improperly. They are carrying a significant amount of weight. If the vehicle they are towing is released from the tow truck, it can crash into another vehicle.
Speeding
Speeding is especially dangerous when carrying extra weight. Excessive speeds would give the vehicle more momentum if they were to crash. Speeding also decreases the amount of time the driver has to react to obstacles.
Tired Driving
Tow truck drivers work odd hours, often having to work on-call and at night. If a tow truck driver is too tired, they might not react as quickly to driving hazards as they would have if they were more rested. They might also risk falling asleep at the wheel, causing a serious accident.
Driving While Intoxicated
Driving while intoxicated is not only dangerous, but it is also illegal. Alcohol consumption can impair your decisions while you are driving. It can also reduce your reaction time if you are faced with obstacles in the road.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is an issue for many people on the road. Anything can be a distraction, such as the radio, a cell phone, passengers, or food.
Improper Maintenance
Properly maintaining a vehicle is especially important in a tow truck. If a tow truck is not properly maintained, it can malfunction in the middle of the road.
Road Conditions
Road conditions are one of the few things we cannot control. If a road is slick, a tow truck could go sliding at the slightest of turns. Because of the added weight, a tow truck has a greater risk of sliding off the road.
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You Need to Gather Evidence to Support Your Case
As stated by the Louisiana Civil Code (CC) § 3492, you generally have up to a year from the date of your accident to file your lawsuit.
Once you file your lawsuit, you can begin collecting evidence to support your case. Evidence is needed to prove who is at fault in your tow truck accident. Depending on how your accident occurred, there might be a variety of helpful evidence available to you, such as:
- Photographs of the vehicle damage
- Doctor statements
- Mechanic statements
- Expert testimony
- Eyewitness statements
- Video surveillance
If you were in a tow truck accident, an Abbeville tow truck accident lawyer can help you by gathering evidence for your case. Our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can work with you and determine your legal options. Call us today at (337) 777-7777 for a free case consultation.
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24 hours a day • 7 days a week
You Might Be Entitled to Multiple Compensatory Damages
If you suffered damages or injuries due to a tow truck accident, you might be entitled to receive compensation to cover the costs. Any vehicle accident can be expensive and stressful. A lawyer can help you fight for your compensation. You might be entitled to compensation that covers:
Medical Bills
If you suffered injuries, you already know the medical bills can add up quickly. From emergency room visits to doctor’s visits, any injury can be costly.
If your injuries have the potential to need further medical treatment, such as surgery or physical therapy, you may be compensated in advance for these expenses as well.
Vehicle Repairs or Replacement
If your vehicle was involved in the accident, you might be entitled to compensation to cover the cost of repairing your vehicle. If your vehicle was totaled, you may be able to get compensation for the value of your vehicle to buy another vehicle.
Time Missed from Work
Any time you missed from work may be considered when determining fair compensation. Time is money, and you should not have to be short a paycheck because of an accident caused by a negligent party.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering involves any physical or emotional pain you went through because of your accident. This can be hard to put a dollar amount on, but it should not go unnoticed.
Decrease in Salary
If you had to switch careers due to your accident, you might have a lesser salary than you had before. For example, if you had to switch from a manual labor job to a desk job, your salary might be smaller than it was prior to the accident.
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How a Lawyer Can Help
If you were injured in a tow truck accident, you might be entitled to receive compensation. An Abbeville tow truck accident lawyer can help you fight for your rights. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you need.
We can take over the communication between the involved parties, their insurance companies, and their lawyers. You should only have to focus on recovering. Let our team do the rest. Call (337) 777-7777 today for a case consultation. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get started reviewing your case.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
