Auto Accidents and Delivery Trucks

Posted in Truck Accidents on September 3, 2019

As Amazon, eBay, and other online shopping giants have emerged over the last few decades, there have been more and more delivery trucks on the roadways of Georgia. A recent NPR report said that 92% of Americans have shopped online. However, accidents involving delivery trucks can be devastating. They can lead to severe injuries for the truck drivers as well as passengers in other vehicles involved.

What causes Georgia delivery truck accidents?

There are various causes for these accidents. In many cases, the cause can be broken down to three things – driver negligence, company negligence, and vehicle failure.

• Driver negligence can include:
  • failing to yield the right of way
  • speeding
  • distracted driving
  • driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
• Company negligent can include:
  • failing to properly inspect and maintain vehicles
  • poor hiring and training policies
  • forcing drivers to work more than they should
  • forcing drivers to complete routes faster
• Vehicle failure can happen due to poor maintenance, failure to inspect, and defective vehicle parts. When any part of a large delivery truck malfunctions, it puts the drivers and others on the roadway in danger.

What can happen in a delivery truck crash?

These trucks can weigh as much as 20,000 pounds when loaded with packages, compared to a passenger vehicle with an average weigh of 4,000 pounds. When a collision occurs, it is not uncommon to see serious injuries, including:

• Broken and dislocated bones
• Severe lacerations
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions

Catastrophic injuries can also occur, including paralysis, loss of a limb, significant disfigurement, or other injuries that impair a person’s daily activities.

A delivery truck accident victim will incur major medical expenses and likely not be able to work while they recover. Lost income, as well as other hidden accident expenses can jeopardize the financials of victims and their families.

Who is liable for truck driver or truck company negligence?

If you or a loved one are injured due to the negligence of a truck driver or their company, your claim will likely be against the company. However, figuring out exactly who the driver works for can be complicated because many major companies like UPS and FedEx hire independent contractors to handle some of their deliveries. Your attorney will need to thoroughly examine the evidence of the case to determine which company is ultimately liable for your damages.

It is important that you are compensated for all of your accident-related expenses. This can include both economic and non-economic damages:

• Coverage of current and future medical expenses
• Recovery of lost wages if you are unable to work
• Coverage of physical therapy if needed
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Possible punitive damages against any negligent party

In the aftermath of a delivery truck accident

Be sure you seek medical treatment immediately after a truck crash. If you are seriously injured, let EMS take you to the hospital. Even if you do not feel any immediate pain, please understand that many injury signs and symptoms do not develop for hours or days after a crash. Let a doctor make a determination as to the extent of your injuries. Make sure you obtain as much evidence as possible from the scene, including photographs of the causes of the accident, all damage and injuries, as well as eyewitness names and contact information. Contact a Georgia truck accident attorney as soon as possible.