San Antonio Tow Truck Accident Attorneys

Local Roads. Local Risks. Local Lawyers.

Tow trucks roll through San Antonio every single day—from helping stranded drivers on IH-35 near downtown to clearing wrecks off Loop 410 by Lackland AFB. They’re essential, but when they’re rushed, overloaded, or driven carelessly, they can cause devastating accidents.

At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, we don’t just see statistics. We meet families who can’t work because of spinal injuries, kids who need months of rehab, and drivers whose cars are totaled because a tow company put profits before safety.

A Different Kind of Road Hazard

Unlike passenger cars, a tow truck is essentially a moving piece of industrial equipment. It doesn’t just carry its own weight — it often carries another disabled vehicle strapped to its flatbed or dangling from a wheel-lift. This combination makes tow trucks some of the most dangerous vehicles on San Antonio’s roads, especially when drivers cut corners or companies skip safety checks.

Consider the risks:

• Poorly secured cars sliding off flatbeds: On highways like IH-35 or Loop 410, even a slight shift in weight can send a vehicle tumbling into traffic, crushing smaller sedans or SUVs.
• Sudden wide turns on local streets: Tow trucks often swing wide on Bandera Road in Leon Valley or Commerce Street downtown, blocking entire lanes and forcing drivers into dangerous evasive maneuvers.
• High-speed wreckers racing to calls: Companies dispatch drivers across Loop 1604 at all hours. A wrecker operator speeding to the next job can easily lose control, especially in heavy traffic near Stone Oak Parkway or Medical Center intersections.

These aren’t minor “fender-benders.” Tow truck accidents often result in life-threatening rollovers, crushed passenger vehicles, spinal injuries, and wrongful death claims. Victims deserve experienced legal help to navigate the aftermath.

Real-World Scenarios in Bexar County

Tow truck accidents in San Antonio don’t just happen on freeways — they occur everywhere from the Pearl District to Southtown to suburban Helotes. Here are just a few examples our firm has seen:

• Late-night accident near the Pearl: A fatigued tow truck driver hauling two vehicles rear-ended a line of commuters heading home from downtown restaurants. Victims reported neck, back, and traumatic brain injuries.
• Rainy morning on Loop 1604: An improperly chained SUV slipped from a flatbed during a curve, skidding into oncoming traffic and triggering a multi-vehicle crash. This type of accident highlights the dangers of rushed or careless loading practices.
• Tow yard negligence in Bexar County: Cars stored at a yard off IH-10 near Boerne weren’t properly secured. One rolled into traffic, causing another wreck and multiple property damage claims.

Every one of these situations leaves victims asking the same question: Who pays for this damage — me, or the tow company? Our tow truck accident lawyers in San Antonio make sure the burden doesn’t fall on the innocent driver. Our attorneys aggressively investigate, prove fault, and fight for compensation in Bexar County courts.

Beyond Medical Bills: The Ripple Effect

The damage caused by a tow truck wreck extends far beyond the first trip to the ER. Clients across San Antonio tell us about the lasting ripple effect these accidents have on their daily lives:

• Missed paychecks and job stress: When injuries force time off work, employers may push back, creating financial strain. Lost wages are a major part of a personal injury claim.
• Expensive therapy and uncovered costs: Physical therapy, chiropractic care, and long-term rehab often stretch beyond what insurance covers. A settlement must include these hidden future expenses.
• Psychological trauma: Victims describe anxiety, flashbacks, and fear of driving again, especially after being hit by a large tow truck. These emotional damages deserve compensation just as much as physical ones.
• Family strain: One accident can change how a household operates. Spouses take on caregiver roles, kids lose support, and families struggle with bills.

A fair settlement or verdict should reflect the entire ripple effect of a San Antonio tow truck accident — not just immediate medical costs. Our tow truck accident attorneys near me build cases that account for lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, future care needs, and long-term family impact.

Technology That Cuts Both Ways

Modern tow trucks in San Antonio aren’t just steel and chains — they’re equipped with GPS tracking and AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location) systems. While these tools were designed to help companies dispatch trucks more efficiently, they also create a digital paper trail that can make or break a legal case.

Our attorneys know how to subpoena and interpret this data to prove negligence. Examples include:

• Speeding near Stone Oak and Loop 1604: GPS logs often reveal that drivers were traveling well above posted speed limits to rush to their next call. In heavy suburban traffic, this kind of reckless speed creates deadly risks.
• Idle time near Tow Yards: AVL records sometimes show tow trucks sitting idle for long stretches instead of being taken in for mandatory inspections or maintenance. This can prove a company ignored safety requirements.
• Shortcut routes through neighborhoods: GPS data can show when drivers cut through residential streets in Alamo Heights, Southtown, or Leon Valley to save time, putting pedestrians, cyclists, and children at risk.

These systems were meant to protect companies — but in reality, they give victims and their lawyers the evidence needed to hold negligent operators accountable in Bexar County courts.

At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, we work with data analysts and accident reconstruction experts to dig through digital records. When GPS shows speeding, harsh braking, or dangerous detours, we use it to build a stronger case and push for maximum compensation.

Why Hire a San Antonio Tow Truck Accident Attorney?

Insurance adjusters will act fast—sometimes within hours—after a wreck. They may pressure you to settle before you even know the full cost of your injuries. Having a lawyer levels the playing field.

At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, we:

• Investigate crashes with accident reconstruction experts.
• Dig into GPS, logbooks, and tow company safety records.
• Negotiate aggressively and, if necessary, take cases to trial in Bexar County courts.

Get Help Today

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Call Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers at (210) 893-0000 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We fight tow truck cases across San Antonio, Leon Valley, Helotes, Stone Oak, and all of South Texas.

We Don’t Settle, We Win!

Frequently Asked Questions About Tow Truck Accidents in San Antonio

Q: What makes tow truck crashes more complicated than other wrecks?

Unlike 18-wheelers, tow trucks often carry another disabled vehicle. That means there are two sets of hazards—the heavy tow truck itself and the car it’s hauling. If the load isn’t secured, victims can be struck by a vehicle falling off a flatbed or dragged during a wheel-lift failure.

Q: Can a towed car come loose and cause a crash?

Yes. Improperly chained vehicles can roll off a flatbed or swing into other lanes during turns. In San Antonio, where tow trucks often operate on tight roads like Alamo Heights and King William, even a small shift in weight can cause a collision.

Q: Who is liable if both the tow truck and the car being towed cause damage?

Liability may fall on the tow truck driver, the towing company, and in some cases the owner of the towed vehicle (if it had defective tires or leaking fluids that caused the wreck). Our team investigates all parties to ensure full accountability.

Q: What special equipment failures cause tow truck wrecks?

Flatbed winches snapping, hydraulic lifts failing, and chains breaking mid-drive are common culprits. These mechanical failures often trace back to poor maintenance by the tow company.

Q: Are tow truck accidents common around crash scenes?

Yes. Ironically, many happen when a tow truck is clearing another accident. On San Antonio freeways like IH-10 and Loop 410, tow trucks often block lanes, creating chain-reaction crashes when drivers can’t stop in time.

Q: Can pedestrians or bystanders be injured in tow truck incidents?

Absolutely. Tow trucks sometimes operate in parking lots, apartment complexes, or downtown streets. Pedestrians and cyclists face unique risks if a car rolls off or if the truck maneuvers without proper visibility.

Q: Does San Antonio regulate tow truck operations differently?

Yes. San Antonio has city towing ordinances, including requirements for licensing and safe practices. If a company violates these local rules and causes a wreck, it strengthens the victim’s legal case.

Q: What if my own car was damaged while being towed?

That’s still a valid claim. Even if you called the tow truck yourself, the company owes you a duty of care. If their negligence caused additional damage—or worse, injuries—you may pursue compensation.