People are turning to online shopping now more than ever to meet their daily needs. Due to the highly competitive nature of the e-commerce industry, package delivery companies must continuously strive to ensure the quickest, most efficient shipping options are made available to consumers. However, as online retailers and distributors rush to meet the rising consumer demand for rapid delivery, the number of motor vehicle accidents involving delivery trucks also increases.
If you or your loved one were recently hurt in an Amazon delivery truck accident in Marietta, you could seek to recover monetary damages from the corporation depending on the surrounding circumstances. If you are suffering from losses related to your accident and resulting injuries, seek the services of a Marietta truck accident lawyer in your vicinity.
Negligence Laws in Marietta
When a delivery truck driver injures a motorist or pedestrian in a traffic accident, they may be held liable for damages resulting from the collision. However, the injured party must first show that the driver's conduct was negligent by proving the elements of negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damages. However, if a Marietta resident sustains injuries in a local Amazon delivery truck accident, they and their attorney may bring a claim against the delivery truck driver through the doctrine of negligence per se under Georgia law.
When negligence per se is the basis of an injury claim, the injured party must prove that the accident occurred due to the truck driver's violation of a Georgia traffic safety statute. The injured party must also demonstrate that they are within the class of persons the statute protects, as provided under §14 of the Restatement (Third) on Torts. If they are successful with their claim, the delivery truck driver would be considered negligent without excuse and potentially liable for damages related to the traffic wreck. However, an Amazon delivery truck operator is not negligent per se if their conduct falls under any of the exceptions provided under the statute.
Holding Amazon Liable for Delivery Accidents
Although Amazon may be held vicariously liable for any damages resulting from a collision caused by their delivery truck driver's negligent conduct, an injured party’s right to recover damages may be affected if they contributed to their accident in any way. Under §51-12-33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, if a jury finds that the injured party is 50 percent or more at fault for their injuries or damages claimed, they will be barred from recovery.
Common Injuries in Delivery Semi-Truck Collisions
Depending on the severity of the collision, someone struck by a delivery truck could sustain injuries ranging from a mild concussion to fatal bodily harm. Because Amazon semi-trucks are larger than most other vehicles on the road in Marietta, they pose a greater risk of harm to motorists or pedestrians in the event of a traffic collision. The more severe types of physical injuries a delivery truck could cause include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe abrasions or contusions
- Internal injuries (e.g., organ damage, internal bleeding, etc.)
Regardless of whether one’s injuries are moderate, severe, or even fatal, an injured victim or their family could seek financial compensation from the truck's operator and Amazon, as their employer. A well-practiced personal injury lawyer in the area could review the facts of a particular case to determine if the injured party has a viable claim against the driver or Amazon to recover damages.
Speak with a Skilled Attorney about Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents in Marietta
When a traffic accident involves an oversized delivery truck, the consequences could be severe or even life-threatening. Depending on the circumstances, victims of Amazon delivery truck crashes could seek compensation for their injuries from several potential defendants, including the Amazon corporation.
If you or someone you know was harmed by a negligent delivery truck operator, your losses deserve compensation. Call today to speak to a Marietta personal injury lawyer with experience handling personal injury cases involving Amazon delivery truck accidents.