Under most circumstances, an approaching tow truck is a welcome sight for someone dealing with car trouble or whose vehicle has been damaged in a wreck. At worst, it is a neutral sight for everyone else going about their day. Unfortunately, some tow truck drivers are not as responsible behind the wheel as they should be, which sometimes leads to other people getting hurt by no fault of their own.
If negligence by a tow truck operator has left you seriously injured, you may be able to take legal action against them and the company that employs them. However, filing suit over tow truck accidents in Prairieville can be very challenging if you try to do it alone, so getting the help of a skilled truck accident lawyer at Tomeny | Best should be a priority before you start any legal proceedings.
How Negligence Can Lead to Tow Truck Injuries
Whether someone is driving a tow truck or any other type of motor vehicle, they have a duty of care under Louisiana state law to follow all traffic regulations, watch out for other vehicles and people near them, and generally act reasonably behind the wheel. Under the legal theory of negligence, anyone who breaches that duty by committing a traffic offense, driving aggressively, or simply not paying attention to their surroundings can typically be held at fault for any injuries their misconduct results in other people sustaining.
Tow truck drivers in particular also have a duty to ensure that they are performing the tasks associated with their job in a safe and responsible way. So, if a tow truck driver in Prairieville causes a traffic accident because a vehicle they were towing came loose and fell into the path of an oncoming car, that tow truck driver would likely be considered at fault for that wreck just as they would have been if their own truck had been directly involved in the collision.
Holding a Tow Truck Company Liable for a Crash
Another thing worth emphasizing about lawsuits over tow truck wrecks in Prairieville is that in many cases, tow truck companies can be held liable for the negligence of their employees. This is possible under the doctrine of respondeat superior, which basically imposes vicarious liability on employers whose agents act irresponsibly to further their employer’s business interests.
Alternatively, tow truck companies can sometimes be directly at fault for a crash involving one of their vehicles based on their own negligence. For example, a company with negligent hiring practices may hire a tow truck driver with multiple DUI convictions, or they may provide trucks with serious mechanical problems to drivers who are unaware of them.
Talk to a Prairieville Attorney About a Possible Tow Truck Accident Claim
Auto accidents involving tow trucks can be just as complicated to file suit over as other wrecks involving commercial vehicles, and even more complicated than usual in some ways. What is consistent across every claim of this nature is the fact that support from legal counsel will almost always be essential to getting paid everything you deserve.
You have help available after your tow truck accident in Prairieville from the dedicated truck accident lawyers at Tomeny | Best. Call today for a consultation.
