Residents and tourists throughout Morristown rely on tow trucks every day. Tow trucks are often called upon to remove cars from accident scenes, ditches, and illegal parking spaces. They are essential when you end up stranded on the side of the road after your vehicle breaks down.

Although tow trucks aren’t as massive as tractor-trailers, they can cause significant destruction in collisions with other vehicles. The occupants of a smaller passenger car are more likely to sustain severe injuries than the tow truck driver.

If you suffered injuries in a tow truck wreck caused by someone else’s negligence, contact The Terry Law Firm as soon as possible. We provide attentive representation to people injured in truck accidents in Morristown. We’re ready to put our experience to work for you.

At The Terry Law Firm, we have fought on behalf of accident victims since 1960. We take pride in the level of service we offer our clients. You should not have to face the careless tow truck driver, the towing company, and their insurance company on your own. Our team is ready to take on responsibility for your case and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a dedicated and trusted tow truck accident attorney in Morristown, Tennessee.

Common Types of Tow Truck Accidents

The Terry Law Firm can handle a range of accident cases involving tow trucks.

Some examples of the most common types of tow truck accidents include:

  • Sideswipe collisions – A tow truck driver can experience difficulties changing lanes. They have large blind spots they must check before merging. If they change lanes without looking for other vehicles, they could sideswipe a car traveling alongside them.
  • Head-on collisions – A head-on accident can be deadly. If the tow truck driver becomes distracted behind the wheel, they could drift into oncoming traffic and the path of an approaching motorist.
  • Rollover accidents – Vehicles with a high center of gravity, such as tow trucks, are susceptible to rolling over. The sudden change in momentum of the tow truck or the driver’s hard braking can cause the truck to tip onto its side or rollover, colliding with cars in its path.
  • Underride collisions – During an underride collision, a car ends up sliding underneath the back of a large truck. The tow truck driver could slow down or brake without warning, causing someone traveling behind them to crash into the back of the truck.
  • T-bone collisions – A T-bone collision occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another. A tow truck can cause extensive damage if it crashes into the side of a small car. The weight behind the impact can crush the vehicle’s structure, trapping the occupants inside.
  • Rear-end collisions – A rear-end accident often results from tailgating. Following someone’s vehicle too closely doesn’t give the driver enough time to brake if the person in front of them needs to slow down or stop. Tow truck drivers should maintain adequate distance between both vehicles to avoid crashing into the back of a car if traffic comes to a standstill.
  • Collisions with people on foot – The roadside where tow trucks load disabled vehicles can be a very dangerous place when drivers aren’t careful. For example, a motorist with a broken-down car could be struck by a tow truck or other traffic while waiting for help. Tow truck operators are also at risk of injury if a motorist fails to move over, slow down, and leave the room.

Common Causes of Tow Truck Accidents

Like most commercial vehicles, tow trucks are much larger and heavier than a standard passenger car. Tow truck drivers must have the necessary licensing, experience, and qualifications to operate their bulky vehicles and navigate safely around passenger cars.

Although multiple regulations are in place to prevent commercial truck accidents, some tow truck drivers violate them, placing other drivers and passengers at risk of harm.

The most common causes of tow truck accidents include:

  • Reckless or negligent driving
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Fatigued driving
  • Poor truck maintenance
  • Tailgating
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Unsecured load

If your injuries resulted in a tow truck accident due to any of these or other factors indicating negligence on behalf of the truck driver or trucking company, reach out to a tow truck accident attorney in Morristown, TN, from The Terry Law Firm today. We can review the circumstances of the crash to determine if you have a case you can pursue.

Common Types of Tow Trucks

The four main types of tow trucks include:

  • Flatbed truck – A flatbed tow truck has a flatbed the tow truck driver can position a car on for transport.
  • Wheel-lift truck – Wheel-lift tow trucks have crossbars and a hydraulic boom to lift and attach a vehicle by the rear or front wheels.
  • Integrated truck – An integrated tow truck uses a mechanical arm positioned towards the center to lift and transport heavy vehicles, such as large trucks and buses.
  • Hook and chain tow truck – Hook and chain tow trucks can lift vehicles by the front or rear bumper.

A tow truck is a potentially dangerous vehicle, given its size, weight, and shape. When there’s a vehicle attached to it, however, it becomes that much more hazardous to other motorists. Accidents involving tow trucks can lead to severe injuries and fatalities, especially if the car being transported detaches from the tow truck and crashes into or rolls onto other vehicles.

Determining Liability for a Tow Truck Accident in Morristown

Multiple parties could be at fault for a tow truck accident, including:

  • The tow truck driver
  • The towing company
  • Maintenance and repair companies
  • Manufacturer of the defective truck or truck part

Tennessee is a fault accident state, meaning the negligent party becomes financially responsible for the victim’s injuries and resulting losses. You could file an insurance claim with the tow truck driver’s insurer and seek a settlement to cover your medical treatment and other expenses.

Compensation Available After a Tow Truck Accident

When you pursue an injury claim or lawsuit following a tow truck crash in Morristown, you have a right to seek compensation for the different types of losses you suffer, such as:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages and future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Wrongful death
  • Property damage

You deserve to receive maximum compensation when a negligent tow truck driver or other party causes an accident that leaves you injured. You should not be forced to pay out-of-pocket costs while recovering from your injuries.

Statute of Limitations on Tow Truck Accident Cases in Tennessee

If you want to sue the at-fault tow truck driver, towing company, or another party, you must follow the statute of limitations for accident cases. Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including those caused by a tow truck accident. That means you must file your lawsuit within one year of the crash date to pursue compensation for your losses.

One year does not give you a long time, so it’s crucial that you talk to an experienced attorney as soon as possible after the accident.

Contact a Tow Truck Accident Attorney in Morristown Today for a Free Case Review

If you sustained injuries in a tow truck accident due to another party’s negligence, reach out to the legal team at The Terry Law Firm. Get in touch with us today to learn more about your options in a free consultation with a Morristown tow truck accident lawyer.