Towing safety risks are the hazards created when one vehicle pulls another, whether that is a family towing a trailer or a tow truck hauling a disabled car. Extra weight and length change how a vehicle brakes, turns and handles wind. Roadside tow work adds the danger of passing traffic. This guide covers the most common risks and who may be liable when a towing crash happens.
What Are the Common Safety Risks Involving Tow Trucks?
Tow trucks create risks for their operators and for everyone around them.
- Roadside work zones. Operators hook up vehicles inches from moving traffic. Distracted or speeding drivers can strike them.
- Improperly secured loads. A car that is not chained or strapped correctly can shift or break free.
- Overloading. Towing a vehicle beyond the truck’s rated capacity strains brakes and steering.
- Longer stopping distances. A loaded tow truck needs more room to stop than a regular vehicle.
- Driver fatigue. Tow operators often work long shifts and overnight calls.
- Damage during the tow. Poor hookups can damage the towed vehicle or injure bystanders.
Georgia’s Move Over law protects tow operators. Under O.C.G.A. Ā§ 40-6-16, drivers approaching a stopped tow truck with flashing lights must change lanes if safe. If they cannot, they must slow below the speed limit and be ready to stop.
Common Hazards When Towing a Trailer
Equipment Failure
Hitches, couplers, safety chains and trailer lights all have to work together. A worn coupler or a missing safety chain can let a trailer break loose. Underinflated or old trailer tires can blow out at highway speed. Check every connection before each trip.
Sway and Loss of Control
A trailer can start to sway from crosswinds, passing trucks or too much speed. Poor weight distribution makes sway worse. Many trailer guides recommend placing about 60 percent of the load toward the front. If sway starts, ease off the gas and avoid hard braking or sharp steering.
Braking and Stopping
Extra weight means longer stopping distances. Leave much more following distance than usual. Heavier trailers may need their own brakes and a brake controller in the tow vehicle.
Turning and Backing
Trailers cut corners tighter than the tow vehicle. Swing wide on turns and watch for curbs, signs and pedestrians. Backing up takes practice, so use a spotter when you can.
Driver Inexperience and Fatigue
Towing demands more attention than normal driving. New towers should practice in an empty lot first. Take breaks on long trips, since fatigue slows reactions.
How to Stay Safe When Towing
- Stay within the tow vehicle’s rated towing capacity.
- Use the right hitch class and cross the safety chains under the tongue.
- Test brake lights and turn signals before every trip.
- Check tire pressure on both the vehicle and the trailer.
- Drive slower and leave extra space ahead.
- Use extended mirrors if the trailer blocks your view.
Who Is Liable for a Towing Accident in Georgia?
Liability depends on what went wrong. A driver who loads a trailer poorly or tows too fast may be at fault. A tow company may be liable for an untrained operator, a poorly secured load or a bad hookup. Its employer can also be responsible for an operator’s negligence on the job. A parts maker may share fault if a defective hitch or coupler failed.
Georgia uses modified comparative fault, so each party’s share is weighed. You can recover if you are less than 50 percent at fault. Our guide to tow truck driver vs. car owner liability covers disputes over towed vehicles. For crashes with large commercial vehicles, see our Atlanta truck accident lawyer page.
FAQs
What are the most common safety risks involving tow trucks?
Being struck while working roadside, loads breaking free, overloading, long stopping distances and operator fatigue.
Do I have to move over for a tow truck in Georgia?
Yes. If a stopped tow truck has flashing lights, change lanes if safe. If not, slow below the speed limit.
What causes trailer sway?
Too much speed, too little weight on the tongue, crosswinds and passing trucks. Slow down gently to regain control.
How long do I have to file a towing accident claim?
Usually two years under O.C.G.A. Ā§ 9-3-33.
Related reading covers truck accident compensation and how a truck accident lawyer helps.
Talk to an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer
Towing crashes often involve several parties and insurers. The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Humphrey & Ballard Law can sort out who is responsible. We also help families who lost a loved one in a crash. Call 404-446-9854 or contact us for a free review of your towing accident.
