If you suffered injuries in a collision involving a tow truck, questions about fault can complicate your recovery. Insurance coverage may also be difficult to resolve when the accident involved a commercial vehicle. Tow truck accidents in San Diego can occur during transport or while an operator is working near traffic, making liability harder to determine. A truck accident attorney from our firm could help preserve evidence and clarify your options.
At CaseyGerry, we have represented injured people since 1947. Our lawyers understand that tow truck collision cases can involve serious injuries and complex insurance issues. Responsibility may also extend to the towing company. We use careful investigation and modern tools to understand what happened so you can make informed decisions about your personal injury claim.
A tow truck can present risks that are not factors in every motor vehicle crash. Its size can affect maneuverability, while towing equipment may create additional hazards during transport. The vehicle the truck is towing can also affect how the truck handles on the road. Meanwhile, unsafe driving or the improper use of towing equipment can increase the risk of an accident.
State law also addresses the danger around stationary tow trucks. Under California Vehicle Code § 21809, a driver approaching a stationary tow truck displaying flashing amber warning lights must use due caution and, when practicable and safe, move into a lane that is not immediately adjacent. If changing lanes is unsafe or impracticable, the driver must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed. This rule may be relevant when another motorist strikes a tow operator, customer, or vehicle at the scene of a tow truck collision in San Diego.
Liability can extend beyond the person driving the tow truck. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1714, people must generally use ordinary care in managing their person or property. Depending on the facts, a tow operator, towing company, or another driver or responsible party may share fault for injuries resulting from a towing vehicle crash in San Diego.
A towing company may face scrutiny over vehicle maintenance, driver training, and dispatch practices. The inspection and use of towing equipment may also be a focus of the investigation. A lawyer from our team could review the following:
At CaseyGerry, we also have two full-time investigators who help our attorneys examine complex accident evidence. Identifying every potentially responsible party could be important when multiple insurance policies or business entities are involved.
San Diego tow truck crashes can cause injuries that require significant medical care. Recovery may take time, especially when the injury affects your ability to return to work or resume normal activities. These effects can also continue after the initial treatment ends. When evaluating a claim, our attorneys consider the full impact of the injury in order to clearly document the resulting losses.
Timing also matters. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 generally gives you two years to file an action for injury caused by another person’s wrongful act or neglect. Other deadlines may apply in certain circumstances. A lawyer from our team could track the applicable deadline while preserving evidence that may become harder to obtain as time passes.
A commercial towing vehicle claim may require careful investigation to determine how the crash happened. Insurance coverage can affect how the claim moves forward, especially when responsibility extends beyond one person. Since tow truck accidents in San Diego may involve complex liability issues, our attorneys could evaluate the evidence and explain your legal options. We could also help you pursue compensation available under the law.
At CaseyGerry, we bring more than seven decades of experience to complex injury matters. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how our team could help you understand your options and determine the next steps in your case.