Tow Truck Accident Lawyer in West Houston

Types of Trucks Operating in the Commercial Trucking Industry

If you or a loved one gets injured in a tow truck accident in West Houston, you probably have dozens of questions running through your mind. Questions such as who handles the medical bills? Is the driver or commercial trucking company responsible for getting your vehicle back in working order? What’s the next best line of action?

Dealing with all these issues while trying to heal from any severe injuries that restrict your income flow can be frustrating and depressing. To prevent this from happening, you should get a good West Houston 18-wheeler injury attorney with experience in dealing with the legal ramifications of big truck wrecks.

Types of Tow Trucks

Overall, five types of vehicles operate in the commercial trucking industry. These are:

• Boom Tow Truck: The vehicle uses an adjustable boom to pull out vehicles, such as a big rig or an SUV, from ditches or areas where the driver can’t get the car out off. They also tow 18-wheelers that have lost their front or rear wheels.
• Wheel Lift Tow Truck: Also called spectacle lift, this vehicle uses a hydraulic hoist and a metal clamp to fit under the car and tow it to safety. The wheel-lift raises the front or rear end off the ground while towing.
• Repo Tow Truck: Also called an integrated or self-loader vehicle, this vehicle is a blend of the boom and wheel lift tow truck.
• Flatbed Lorry: Also called the rollback, the flatbed has a hydraulically powered flatbed that can incline beside the truck that needs towing.
• Lift Flatbed Tow Truck: The lift flatbed is also a blend of the boom and wheel-lift mechanism. It lifts vehicles vertically from a stationary post onto the flatbed.

As you can see, there are many types of tow trucks, but they do have one thing in common: all tow trucks must abide by the towing administrative rules. In West Houston and Texas more broadly, these rules are in place to protect civilians, operators, workers, and property from accidents, damage, and death. 

What Causes Tow Truck Accidents?

Various factors could lead to a trucking wreck. Here are six of the most probable causes:

1. Truckers have worked past the federally mandated hours and the FMCSA guidelines to prevent driver fatigue. Overwork can lead to them sleeping off at the wheel.
2. The equipment is poorly maintained or defective.
3. The vehicle attachment to the towing truck is loose.
4. The drivers are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
5. The driver is careless or doesn’t have enough experience to operate a vehicle under pressure.
6. The towing company overworks their drivers or denies them rest days (this is a major issue in the trucking industry).

West Houston Tow Truck Accident Attorney

Call an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers in West Houston

If you were in a truck crash, and the towing driver or company is at fault, you have a right to hold them liable for your injuries and any financial damage. At The Stephens Law Firm, we serve all the West Houston areas. We understand the pain and financial burden these incidents can cause, especially if you lost a loved one, if that’s your case, contact a wrongful death attorney in West Houston, and we help you protect your rights. Call a vehicle wreck attorney in West Houston to help with your commercial truck accident.