Tow trucks are a familiar sight on American roads, often assisting disabled vehicles or responding to emergencies. While they perform vital functions, these heavy-duty vehicles can also become serious hazards, especially when operated unsafely or under poor conditions. A tow truck crash can be significantly more devastating than other vehicle accidents.
A recent tragic incident in El Paso, Texas, underscores the dangers of tow truck crashes. According to police, a yellow tow truck was unable to stop in time at an intersection on May 8, 2025, setting off a crash that involved 12 vehicles, injured multiple people, and claimed the life of a 65-year-old passenger.
At Kherkher Garcia, we represent victims of commercial vehicle accidents, including tow truck crashes. Our truck accident attorneys understand the devastation these accidents can bring. In this article, we explore the risks of tow truck operations, common causes of tow truck accidents, and how victims and their families may pursue personal injury or wrongful death claims.
Tow Truck Crash in El Paso
On Thursday, May 8, a tragic multi-vehicle accident occurred in Northwest El Paso when the driver of a tow truck failed to stop in time at an intersection, triggering a crash involving 12 vehicles. According to El Paso Police, the incident happened around 6 a.m. near Loop 375 and North Desert Road after a semi-truck and trailer became disabled on the road.
The yellow tow truck, driven by a 28-year-old, was en route to remove the disabled vehicles when it was unable to stop, resulting in a deadly chain-reaction crash. A 65-year-old male passenger in the tow truck was killed, and at least seven other people were injured.
As of May 9, the tow truck driver has not been charged in connection with the crash. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Dangers of Tow Truck Accidents
Tow trucks are larger and heavier than typical passenger vehicles, often weighing over 10,000 pounds when fully loaded. This size disparity means that when tow trucks are involved in crashes, the consequences can be far more severe than a typical accident.
Increased Risk Due to Size and Load
Because of their size and load-bearing responsibilities, tow trucks require more distance and time to come to a complete stop. If a driver is distracted, fatigued, or fails to assess traffic or road conditions, the results can be deadly. In the El Paso crash, a disabled semi-truck and trailer had blocked a portion of the roadway, and the tow truck driver reportedly could not stop in time. This highlights the real-world dangers of operating such massive vehicles.
Chain-Reaction Collisions
One of the unique dangers of a tow truck crash is the potential for chain-reaction or multi-vehicle collisions. As seen in the El Paso case, a single failure to stop or maintain control can result in a massive vehicle pileup. These types of crashes exponentially increase the risk of serious injuries and make it more complex to determine liability.
Common Injuries in Tow Truck Crashes
When a tow truck accident occurs, the injuries sustained by drivers, passengers, and pedestrians can be catastrophic. These include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): High-impact collisions often result in concussions or more severe TBIs, which can have lifelong cognitive and emotional consequences.
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: Victims may suffer partial or complete paralysis, requiring long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and adaptive living arrangements.
- Crushed or Amputated Limbs: In multi-vehicle pileups, crushing injuries are common, especially when smaller cars are pinned between large vehicles.
- Broken Bones and Internal Injuries: Rib fractures, internal bleeding, and organ damage often occur in serious wrecks.
- Psychological Trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression may follow, particularly in cases involving fatalities or disfigurement.
In the El Paso crash, at least seven people were injured, and one man was tragically killed. The toll on victims and their families is immense physically, emotionally, and financially.
Causes of Tow Truck Accidents
Tow truck accidents can be caused by a range of human and mechanical factors. In many cases, these are preventable. Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver Error or Negligence: Driver negligence is a common cause of accidents on Texas roadways, including tow truck crashes. Speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or failure to yield are common among commercial drivers. In the El Paso case, authorities are investigating why the tow truck driver could not stop in time, which may point to driver inattention or misjudgment.
- Improper Maintenance: Tow trucks must be regularly inspected and maintained. Brake failure, tire blowouts, and hydraulic issues can all contribute to crashes.
- Poor Training or Oversight: If the company employing the tow truck driver failed to provide proper training or supervision, it may be held liable for the crash.
- Unsafe Road Conditions: Fog, low visibility, and poorly marked construction zones can be especially dangerous for heavy vehicles that take longer to stop.
- Improper Loading: Towing vehicles that exceed the truck’s weight capacity or are poorly secured can affect braking, turning, and handling.
Legal Options for Tow Truck Crash Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured in a tow truck accident, or if you have lost a family member, you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim. These legal actions can help hold negligent parties accountable and secure financial compensation for your losses.
Personal Injury Claims
If you were injured in a tow truck crash due to someone else’s negligence, a personal injury claim can help you recover:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Property damage
To succeed, you must prove that the tow truck driver or another party was negligent and that their actions directly caused your injuries.
Wrongful Death Claims
In fatal accidents like the one in El Paso, the surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible driver, employer, or another liable party. Damages may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship and support
- Loss of income or financial contributions
- Emotional distress
- Medical bills incurred before the victim’s death
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Tow Truck Crash?
One of the challenges in tow truck cases is determining liability. Multiple parties may share responsibility, including:
- Tow Truck Driver: If the driver was negligent, distracted, speeding, or impaired.
- Tow Truck Company: If the company failed to train or supervise drivers, allowed unsafe practices, or neglected maintenance.
- Third Parties: Other drivers or vehicle owners who contributed to the accident.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: If defective parts or systems caused the crash.
In complex, multi-vehicle accidents like the one in El Paso, a thorough investigation is needed to identify all liable parties and preserve critical evidence.
How Kherkher Garcia Can Help after a Tow Truck Crash
At Kherkher Garcia, we have decades of experience handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims involving commercial and heavy-duty vehicles. Our legal team understands the intricacies of Texas liability laws, insurance disputes, and the tactics used by trucking companies to avoid paying victims fairly.
Here’s how we help our clients in tow truck crash cases:
- In-Depth Investigations. We immediately launch a full investigation to gather accident reports, witness statements, dash cam footage, black box data, and maintenance records to determine what really happened—and who is at fault.
- Access to Experts. We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economists to build strong, evidence-backed claims that reflect the true extent of your damages.
- Aggressive Representation. We negotiate assertively with insurance companies and defense attorneys. If they refuse to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
- Personalized Support. Our team provides compassionate, one-on-one support to victims and families navigating the aftermath of a serious crash. We are available to answer your questions, explain your rights, and fight for the justice you deserve.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims is generally two years from the date of the incident. Missing this deadline could result in losing your right to compensation. It is important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights and begin preserving key evidence.
Contact Kherkher Garcia After a Tow Truck Accident
Tow truck crashes can change lives in an instant. If you have been injured, or have lost a loved one, in a tow truck crash, Kherkher Garcia is here to help. Our team will help you get answers, seek accountability, and obtain compensation. Let our nationally recognized attorneys fight for your rights while you focus on healing.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case. To get started, call us at 713-333-1030, or submit our online contact form. We are here to help.
