FACTS

Causes of tow truck injuries

Maintenance neglect. The hydraulic system, engine, and suspensions are some parts that should be checked before setting out for duty.

Mechanical or equipment failure. An engine failure can occur or a belt that latched onto the vehicle being towed could snap in the middle of a transport, causing the towed vehicle to fall off the bed into the center of the highway.

Driving while under the influence. Some tow truck drivers may operate their tow truck while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Such substances impact the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle, raising the risk of a motor vehicle accident.

Driver error. Tow truck drivers can make driving errors. like turning a corner too sharply, causing the tow truck to tip and a vehicle to rear-end the tow truck.

Being crushed by rolling and tipping vehicles.  Vehicles requiring a tow are heavy, often imbalanced, and susceptible to rolling.

Fatigue.  Limiting the number of hours in a shift and requiring days off and vacations can help make sure your drivers perform at their best while on the clock.

Strains and breaks.  Drivers that are not using proper safety procedures to lift and haul equipment can sustain severe muscle strains.  Using durable, lightweight equipment designed with ergonomics can reduce injuries and make tasks easier to accomplish.

STATS

• Motor vehicle incidents were the leading cause of towing industry worker deaths, accounting for 64 percent.
• Contact with objects and equipment (34 percent) and overexertion and bodily reaction (32 percent) were the leading causes of nonfatal injuries.
• Men accounted for 97 % of the deaths and 94 percent of nonfatal injuries.
• Tow truck accidents statistically fall under the number of truck accidents recorded each year. Injury Facts reports that, in 2018, 4,862 large trucks were involved in a fatal accident, with large trucks accounting for 9% of all vehicles involved in fatal accidents.
• Tow truck accidents are the number one cause of death for tow truck drivers. Experts estimate that there are 43 tow truck fatalities for every 100,000 workers in the industry.
• According to the Statewide Towing Association of Massachusetts, a tow truck operator dies on the job every six days, and at least 60 such fatalities occur every year.