Pedestrian In Wheelchair Killed In Acworth Dump Truck Accident

Investigation Underway After Wheelchair-Bound Pedestrian Killed In Cobb County Car Accident With Mack Granite Dump Truck Along Cobb Parkway

ACWORTH, GEORGIA (December 9, 2024) – A man using an electric wheelchair has tragically died in an Acworth dump truck accident on Cobb Parkway near North Shores Road.

Cobb County officials are saying that the collision took place around 6:03 a.m. on Thursday. A man was traveling in the right northbound lane of Cobb Parkway when he fell into the roadway.

A 2024 Mack Granite dump truck was also traveling northbound and failed to avoid colliding with the victim. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help him.

Sadly, he was beyond medical aid and pronounced dead at the scene. A full investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Acworth Dump Truck Accidents 

Pedestrians who are confined to wheelchairs can be particularly vulnerable to motor vehicle collisions. According to one study in BMJ Journals, “Risk of pedestrian crash death was significantly higher for men using wheelchairs (3.95/100 000 py; 95% CI 2.96 to 4.93) than women (0.73 per 100 000 py; 95% CI 0.40 to 1.06). The risk for male wheelchair users was higher than in the overall male population (p<0.001), but women’s risk did not significantly vary from the overall female population (p=0.28).” In addition to that risk, dump trucks pose another series of hazards for pedestrians.

• Dump trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of pedestrians.
• Dump trucks have a high center of gravity, which can lead to pedestrians being pulled under the vehicle.
• Dump trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds, thereby making even low-impact collisions potentially catastrophic.

Dump truck drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicle at a safe speed in order to avoid colliding with pedestrians. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-93, every driver shall exercise due care in order to avoid colliding with a pedestrian upon any roadway. Drivers shall give warning of their presence through the use of their horn when necessary. They must operate with a high degree of care to avoid hitting any child or incapacitated person. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any pedestrian collision.

• Photos of the accident site should be taken.
• Medical records related to injuries should be collected.
• Surveillance footage from nearby businesses should be reviewed.
• The logbook of any truck driver involved should be examined.

A truck company could potentially face liability for a pedestrian accident. This may be the case if the at-fault driver was performing some official act when a collision took place. For example, a truck driver may have been delivering materials to a construction site when the crash occurred. Family members of any person who died as a result of this negligence may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating Acworth Dump Truck Accidents 

We at Butler Kahn extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man killed in this Acworth dump truck accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong for the sake of this man’s family.

Do you need more information about an Acworth dump truck accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they are owed under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or would like a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 678-940-1444.

Jeb Butler

Jeb Butler’s career as a Georgia trial lawyer has led to a $150 million verdict in a product liability case against Chrysler for a dangerous vehicle design that caused the death of a child, a $45 million settlement for a young man who permanently lost the ability to walk and talk, and numerous other verdicts and settlements, many of which are confidential at the defendant’s insistence. Jeb has worked on several cases that led to systemic changes and improvements in public safety. He has been repeatedly recognized as a Georgia SuperLawyer and ranks among Georgia’s legal elite. Jeb graduated in the top 10% of his class at UGA Law, argued on the National Moot Court team, and published in the Law Review. He is the founding partner of Butler Kahn law firm. Connect with me on LinkedIn