A 19-year-old Delta Airlines employee continues to recover after being run over by a truck while directing a plane on the tarmac at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport last Saturday night. After the driver of the truck realized they had struck the young woman, he and other workers ran to help. The injured worker was transported to Grady Hospital with a concussion, fractured skull, neck and brain damage. Family members report that she is conscious, has seen video footage of the accident, but has no recollection of it. Family members say the young woman, who just the night before had gathered with family to remember a loved one who was killed in a drunk driving accident in 2018, now requires round-the-clock care and doctors are uncertain how long her recovery will take.
The driver who struck the woman stated that he had been looking at his tablet when driving and was not paying attention when the accident occurred. Delta released a statement, noting that the company was investigating the accident and takes the safety of its employees and customers seriously. The Atlanta Police Department was also investigating.
While pedestrian accidents on an airport tarmac caused by distracted drivers are relatively rare, distracted driving is a major cause of all types of accidents on roadways throughout Atlanta. In fact, according to a study by Life360, Atlanta tops the list for cities with the most distracted drivers, with drivers being twice as likely to drive while distracted during the afternoon commute than the morning commute, and with adult drivers interacting with their smartphones nearly as frequently as teens do.
If you sustained injuries as a result of an accident involving a distracted driver, an experienced attorney from Cambre & Associates can help you understand your legal options for seeking compensation for the financial and psychological costs of your injury, Contact us for a free case evaluation.