Tow Truck Accidents Attorney in Pacoima, California
Accidentes de Grúas en Pacoima — Abogados de Accidentes de California
Experienced tow truck accidents representation for Pacoima and Los Angeles County
Accidentes de Grúas en Pacoima — Abogados de Accidentes de California
Experienced tow truck accidents representation for Pacoima and Los Angeles County
Free Consultation: Call 661-383-9387 today. No fee unless we win. Hablamos Español: 661-669-7362
Tow truck accidents can be especially dangerous due to the size and weight of these vehicles, the equipment they carry, and the hazardous conditions in which they often operate on freeway shoulders and busy highways.
In Pacoima, a large neighborhood in the northeast San Fernando Valley, one of the most dangerous areas for traffic fatalities in Los Angeles, tow truck accidents are a constant reality. With a population of approximately 100,000 and traffic on San Fernando Road, Van Nuys Boulevard, Osborne Street, I-5, SR-118, conditions are ripe for serious accidents that can change lives forever.
At Car Accident Lawyers of California, Attorney Paula J. Khehra, Esq. has over 10 years of experience handling tow truck accidents cases in Pacoima and throughout Kern County. Our firm has recovered over $100 million for accident victims. With a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating and recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 10 consecutive years (2017–2026), your case is in the best hands.
Beyond tow truck accidents, we represent victims of car accidents, semi-truck accidents, freeway accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents in Pacoima.
Our attorneys know the roads, intersections, and traffic patterns in Pacoima. We know which stretches of San Fernando Road, Van Nuys Boulevard, Osborne Street, I-5, SR-118 are most dangerous, we're familiar with the Pacoima commercial district along Van Nuys Boulevard, Ritchie Valens Park, the San Fernando Road corridor, and the areas near the I-5 freeway and SR-118 interchange, and we understand the local factors that contribute to accidents. We also know the Los Angeles County Superior Court — San Fernando Courthouse and local legal procedures that give your case a strategic advantage that out-of-area firms cannot match.
Tow truck operations in Pacoima serve both the busy I-5 corridor and the industrial streets where commercial vehicle breakdowns are frequent. San Fernando Road's high accident rate means tow trucks are regularly dispatched to accident scenes on this corridor, often working in heavy traffic conditions with limited space.
The areas where tow truck accidents most frequently occur in and around Pacoima include San Fernando Road in the industrial corridor where broken-down commercial trucks and minor collisions generate frequent tow operations on narrow streets, the shoulders of I-5 between Osborne Street and Roxford Street where accidents on this congested stretch keep tow trucks in constant operation, the industrial zones on Montague Street where heavy tow trucks remove commercial vehicles from loading areas, and Foothill Boulevard at railroad crossings where stuck vehicles require emergency towing.
Understanding the California laws that apply to your tow truck accidents case is crucial to maximizing your compensation:
CVC §22513 — Tow truck operators must comply with specific California regulations regarding the use of flashing amber lights, proper positioning, and safety procedures when operating on highways.
CVC §22651 — Governs the circumstances under which vehicles may be towed, including towing company responsibilities for securing towed vehicles properly.
CVC §21809 — California's "Move Over" law requires drivers to slow down and, if safe, move over a lane when approaching a tow truck displaying flashing amber lights on the side of a highway.
CVC §27700 — Towed vehicles must be properly secured to prevent them from breaking free during transport, which can cause devastating accidents.
Civil Code §1714 — Tow truck operators owe a duty of care to other motorists and must operate their vehicles safely and maintain their equipment properly.
Victims of tow truck accidents in Pacoima frequently suffer serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment. Common injuries include: Crush injuries from improperly secured towed vehicles, traumatic brain injuries from collisions with stationary tow trucks, spinal cord injuries, severe fractures from high-speed impacts with tow truck equipment, lacerations from tow cables and equipment, burns from vehicle fires at accident scenes, and wrongful death.
Seek medical attention immediately — visit Providence Holy Cross Medical Center (Mission Hills), Olive View-UCLA Medical Center (Sylmar), Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center right away, even if injuries seem minor. Delayed symptoms are common, especially traumatic brain injuries and soft tissue injuries that may not manifest until hours or days after the accident.
Document everything — photograph the scene, your injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, and any hazardous conditions. Get names and phone numbers from all witnesses.
Report the incident — call 911 to create an official record. A police report is crucial evidence for your claim.
Do not give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without first consulting an attorney. Insurance companies use your own words against you to minimize your compensation.
Contact Car Accident Lawyers of California at 661-383-9387 for a free consultation. We serve Pacoima and all surrounding communities. Hablamos Español: 661-669-7362.
Accidents involving tow trucks in Pacoima present unique compensation opportunities due to the commercial nature of these operations and the multiple sources of liability available.
Employer vicarious liability (respondeat superior) — Tow truck operators work for towing companies that are legally liable for their employees' actions during the course of employment. This means that in addition to suing the tow truck driver, you can sue the towing company directly. Commercial towing companies typically carry insurance policies with significantly higher limits than personal auto policies — often $1 million or more — meaning more money is available to compensate your injuries.
Negligent hiring, training, and supervision claims — If the towing company hired a driver without properly checking their driving record, failed to provide adequate training in safe tow equipment operation, or failed to supervise their employees, you can bring independent negligence claims against the company. These claims can uncover a pattern of negligence that significantly strengthens your case.
Unsecured load liability — If your accident was caused by a vehicle breaking free from the tow truck or by tow equipment failure, liability may extend to the operator who secured the load, the company that provided the equipment, and the manufacturer if the equipment was defective. Move Over law violations (CVC §21809) — California requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when passing stationary emergency vehicles and tow trucks with warning lights activated. If you are a tow truck operator injured because a driver violated this law, that violation constitutes negligence per se — automatic proof of negligence that dramatically strengthens your case.
Medical expenses — including emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical care. Lost wages — income lost and diminished future earning capacity. Pain and suffering — physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life. Punitive damages — available when the towing company demonstrated a conscious disregard for public safety, such as allowing unlicensed drivers to operate commercial vehicles.
Yes. California requires all tow truck companies to maintain commercial liability insurance. The minimum amount varies by service type, but tow trucks operating on highways generally require policies of $750,000 to $1 million or more. This means funds are available to compensate your injuries. Our attorneys will identify all applicable insurance policies to maximize your recovery.
Yes. If a tow truck damaged your vehicle during towing — for example, damaging the brake system, steering, or lights — and this contributed to a subsequent accident, both the tow company and the operator may be liable under California negligence law. It is crucial to document your vehicle's condition before and after towing and report any damage immediately.
Tow trucks in California are regulated under CVC §22513 and must meet strict requirements: use flashing amber lights when parked roadside, maintain reflective safety equipment, operate only with current CHP licenses and permits, and follow specific hookup and towing procedures. Violation of any of these regulations can be evidence of negligence in your case.
Liability can fall on the tow truck driver, the towing company (under respondeat superior), the company that hired the tow truck, or even the vehicle owner if the towed vehicle was not properly prepared for towing. If a tow truck was operating on behalf of a government agency (such as a CHP-contracted tow), the government entity may also bear liability.
CVC §21809 requires drivers approaching a tow truck displaying flashing amber warning lights on the side of a highway to move over to an adjacent lane if safe to do so, or slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed. Violation of this law is evidence of negligence if a driver strikes a tow truck or its operator.
Absolutely. Under CVC §27700 and general negligence law (Civil Code §1714), tow truck operators must properly secure all towed vehicles. If a vehicle breaks free during transport and strikes your car, the tow truck operator and their employer are liable for all resulting damages including vehicle repair, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Tow truck operators do not have the same emergency vehicle exemptions as police, fire, or ambulance vehicles. They must obey all traffic laws including speed limits. If a tow truck operator was speeding or driving recklessly to reach a call, they and their employer are fully liable for any accidents they cause.