Unfortunately, drivers of all types of commercial trucks break industry safety regulations far too often. Driver negligence can have severe consequences that can last for the rest of a victim’s life. When an accident involves a massive tow truck, those consequences can be even more devastating. Seeing a tow truck can be a huge relief when you’re stranded, but that can quickly turn into a nightmare if the truck causes a wreck.
The truck accident lawyers with Penn Kestner & McEwen will be ready to help if this has happened to you. We’ll be here for you all the way. If you have any questions, we’ll be more than happy to answer them. We’ll also work extremely hard to get you every penny you deserve for the suffering you’ve had to endure.
You can get in touch with us for a free consultation by using our online form or giving us a call at (800) 732-3070. Please don’t hesitate. The faster you reach out, the faster we can get to work helping you obtain full and fair compensation.
Safety Hazards of Tow Trucks
Tow trucks, just like all other commercial vehicles, can be extremely dangerous. When a driver is distracted or impaired, the dangers increase exponentially. These are just a few of the hazards that a tow truck can present.
Blind Spots
One of the worst things about tow trucks is that they have huge blind spots. The size of their blind spot can vary. If they’re towing a large vehicle, the blind spot will likely be larger as well. This can affect even the most experienced driver, who can have difficulty determining where other vehicles on the road are located.
While many modern tow trucks have cameras to make this job easier, the majority of them don’t. But when a driver is inexperienced, even cameras oftentimes don’t help. This can increase the chances of an accident taking place. This is just one of many instances where the company that hired the unqualified driver could face significant liability.
More Distance to Slow Down
When a truck is as big as a tow truck, it needs more time and space in order to be able to slow down. They need even more when a road is wet or icy. That’s obviously a huge problem when the driver is making some sort of mistake, such as speeding. Any car that is in the truck’s path will very likely suffer catastrophic damage – and anyone inside that car will probably suffer severe injuries.
Wider Turns
A tow truck also needs plenty of space to make a turn. They will swing out wider as a result, and anyone who doesn’t realize that fact could very well be involved in a collision. This is an especially big concern when a tow truck has to make a sudden turn on a city street.
Tow Truck vs. Semi-Truck: Evaluating the Dangers
There is no more dangerous vehicle on the road than a commercial truck. Whether it’s a semi or a tow truck, you don’t want to be anywhere near them while you’re driving. Even if the driver isn’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or committing some other form of negligence, a truck could experience a failure of the brakes or tires.
But tow trucks and semi-trucks have something else in common. They typically carry extremely expensive insurance policies. It’s not at all uncommon for these policies to be worth $1 million or even more. That’s why trucking companies and their insurers fight so hard when an accident takes place. The stakes are high – they’re going to do everything they can to keep from having to pay an injury victim.
Tips to Stay Safe Around Tow Truck Drivers
In a perfect world, it would be easy for motorists to be able to avoid tow trucks completely. In reality, it’s almost impossible. There’s going to be some situation when you’re behind the wheel and you simply have to grit your teeth and share the road. If this is the case for you, keep the following in mind.
- Be alert at all times. You have no idea whether the cargo the truck is towing has been properly secured. There’s no way you can possibly know whether or not the driver has gotten enough rest, or is behind the wheel while exhausted. Pay close attention to the truck – without taking your eyes off of the rest of the road, of course. Be ready to take evasive action if anything odd starts to happen, such as the truck starting to drift into your lane.
- If possible, stay as far away from the tow truck as you can. If you have any reason to feel uncomfortable, take the nearest exit off of the highway, or take a different route if you’re on a city street. If you notice any sort of erratic behavior on the part of the driver, then you’ll not only want to get off the road as fast as possible, you’ll also want to call the police. You could very well save someone from a horrible fate if you do.
- Check the truck’s mirrors. This is the best way to tell whether or not you’re in the driver’s blind spot. Can you see the driver’s face? If not, then they probably can’t see your vehicle. Don’t hesitate to slow down a little if you think this is the case. Yes, it will take longer to get to your destination, but you’ll have a much better chance of getting there safely.
Were You Involved in an Accident with a Tow Truck? Call Penn Kestner & McEwen Today
A truck accident can be one of the most complicated types of personal injury cases. As you’ve already learned, a lot of money can be at stake. The reason tow truck insurance policies are so expensive is that the injuries caused by tow truck accidents are often horrible.
You want an attorney who has the skill and experience it takes to handle this kind of case. That’s exactly what you’ll find when you turn to Penn Kestner & McEwen. Get a free case review by contacting us online or calling (800) 732-3070.
