Chattanooga Tow Truck Accident Attorneys
Representing Victims of Tow Truck Accidents in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama
We rely on tow trucks to retrieve our vehicles when they break down or are totaled in car accidents. While these commercial vehicles are not typically as large as tractor-trailers, their size and weight do make them a formidable force that can cause catastrophic injuries in a collision. When you are injured in a tow truck wreck that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation under the law, but you will likely need legal professionals who understand how to strategically navigate commercial vehicle cases.
At The Hamilton Firm, we offer aggressive, effective, and ethical representation to individuals and families harmed by tow trucks in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Having secured over $100 million in settlements and verdicts, our trial-tested team has a proven track record of success, and our Chattanooga tow truck accident lawyers want to put our many decades of combined legal experience to work for you. We endeavor to provide an exceptionally personal level of service and attention, which is why you will work closely with one of our attorneys throughout our handling of your case. Obtaining an optimal outcome is our top priority, and our legal professionals will leverage our extensive resources and detail-oriented approach in our fight to maximize your recovery.
Schedule a free case evaluation by calling (423) 454-3288 or contacting us online. Our firm does not charge any legal fees unless we win or facilitate a favorable outcome.
Trucking and car accidents can take a toll on your life. Our attorneys are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
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Common Causes of Tow Truck Accidents
Tow trucks are designed to make driving safer by efficiently removing inoperable or illegally parked cars from busy roadways, including highways like the I-75. The reality is that these trucks are not immune from getting into accidents themselves on the way to retrieve a vehicle or after picking one up. In many instances, these collisions will be the result of one or more parties’ negligence.
Our Chattanooga tow truck accident attorneys are prepared to assist you if your wreck was caused by:
- An inexperienced driver. Only licensed and trained drivers should operate tow trucks. They should also be familiar with how to drive their specific vehicle, as there are several types of tow trucks, including flatbed trucks, wheel-lift trucks, integrated trucks, and hook-and-chain trucks.
- Excessive speeding. When a tow truck driver speeds, they may attempt to turn too fast or be forced to abruptly stop, which can cause an underride accident if the vehicle behind the truck does not have adequate time to stop.
- Improper turning. Even a tow truck that is not transporting a vehicle needs more space and time to safely complete turns. This is especially true when a vehicle is affixed or aboard, as turning too quickly or sharply can trigger a rollover or even cause the immobile vehicle to become untethered.
- Improper loading of a vehicle. A vehicle must be correctly loaded onto or affixed to the tow truck. Improper loading can result in the vehicle coming loose during a trip, upsetting the balance of the truck, or even sending the vehicle careening into traffic.
- Fatigued driving. A tow truck driver’s work is repetitive and exhausting over time. If a tow truck driver does not observe hours of service regulations and take mandatory rest breaks after a certain number of consecutive hours worked, they are more likely to lose focus and make damaging errors.
- Distracted driving. Tow truck drivers must devote their full attention to their surroundings when traveling to a vehicle, affixing it to their truck, and transporting it to its destination. Texting while driving or becoming distracted in any other manner will increase the odds of an accident.
- Intoxicated driving. A tow truck driver operating their vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is far more likely to drive recklessly.
- Equipment failure. If the tow truck is not regularly inspected or maintained, it may experience a tire blowout or brake system failure at a crucial moment, potentially triggering an otherwise avoidable crash.
Who Is Liable for a Tow Truck Accident?
Liability for any kind of commercial truck accident tends to be more complex than a typical auto accident. Parties in addition to or other than the tow truck driver may be at fault, and you will need a seasoned legal advocate to help you make sense of the likely multiple layers of ownership and insurance coverage. Our team at The Hamilton Firm works quickly but meticulously, interviewing witnesses and preserving crucial evidence that will be used to build your case. We will leave no stone unturned in our effort to identify all responsible parties who can be held accountable through legal action.
Depending on the cause of the accident and other factors, one or more of the following parties may be liable for a tow truck accident:
- The tow truck driver
- The towing company or broker
- The owner of the tow truck
- The tow truck or vehicle component manufacturer
- Parties responsible for vehicle maintenance, repairs, and inspections
- Insurance companies for various parties
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Tow Truck Accident Lawsuit?
You must take swift action in the aftermath of a tow truck accident, as each state enforces deadlines for how long you have to file lawsuits in these cases. If you wait too long, you will be barred from recovering any compensation, no matter the strength of your claim.
Tennessee gives tow truck accident victims just one year from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit. Georgia and Alabama give victims two years from the date of the accident to start the legal process.
Accidents sustained in tow truck accidents are sometimes fatal. In Tennessee, parties with standing have one year from the date a victim passed away to bring a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. Parties with standing in Georgia and Alabama have two years from the date of death to initiate legal action.
What Damages Can I Recover for Tow Truck Accident Injuries?
In a successful tow truck accident lawsuit, you can obtain compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are compensatory damages, which are expenses you incurred because of the accident. Non-economic damages are meant to financially compensate you for difficult to quantify impacts of your injuries.
Our Chattanooga tow truck accident lawyers will stop at nothing to get you maximum compensation for all losses, including:
- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- Ongoing or permanent disability
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
If your tow truck accident injuries prevent you from coming to our office, one of our attorneys can come to your home or the hospital. Contact us online or call (423) 454-3288 to schedule an initial consultation today.
Our pledge
To Our Clients
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To exhibit the highest degree of ethical conduct in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility.
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To preserve the client’s confidences learned during the lawyer-client relationship.
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To work with other participants in the legal system to make it more accessible and responsive.
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To respect the client’s decision on the objectives to be pursued in their case, as permitted by law and the rules of professiona
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To keep clients informed and provide them with copies of important papers.
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To return phone calls promptly.
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To charge a reasonable contingency fee and to explain in advance how that fee will be determined and how expenses will be paid.
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To handle their legal matters competently and diligently, in accordance with the highest standards of the legal profession.
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To treat clients with respect and courtesy.
Experience The Hamilton Firm Difference
Where you’re not a number, you are our priority.