Avoiding Common Truck Driver Injuries and What to Do if You Are Injured on the Job
Truck driving is one of the most common jobs in many U.S. states, with roughly 11,000,000 commercial trucks operating on American roads in 2018, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). That same year, an estimated 2,715,640 truck drivers were employed in the United States, and each of those drivers was susceptible to truck driver injuries, ranging from slips and falls to sprains and strains. Sadly, approximately 918 truck drivers sustained fatal occupational injuries in 2018.
The trucking industry is one of the most important sources of employment in the U.S. With so many trucks and truck drivers on the road, it is clear why this industry faces more occupational injuries than many others. If you can’t avoid an accident and are injured on the job, when you submit a claim for workers’ comp, Shultz Legal can assist you to explore all your options.
Common Injuries and How to Avoid them
Falls, Slips, and Trips
Approximately 61% of annual delivery truck driver falls, slips, and trip injuries are due to floors, walkways, and ground surfaces. To avoid common risk factors for falls, slips, and trip injuries, always be sure to:
- use additional lighting if it is dark outside,
- consider the weather conditions,
- wear proper shoes for the environment, and
- be sure you evaluate the conditions (Is the floor wet/slippery? Is there a handle to hold on to?) before entering a walkway or new area.
Contact with objects or equipment
Coming into contact with other vehicles was the source of 28% of nonfatal occupational injuries. For delivery truck drivers, this figure was 31%. While you cannot always avoid accidents, always do your best to leave enough room between you and the vehicle in front of you, do not attempt to drive if weather conditions are poor, and always wear your seatbelt.
Overexertion
Forty percent of injuries reported in the United States were due to lifting containers, such as boxes or packages, and 34% were due to lowering objects. To avoid overexertion injuries, we recommend always lifting and lowering objects properly and resting when needed. Before lifting anything, try to warm your body up by doing light stretching or exercising.
What to Do if you are Injured
Accidents happen. But if you find yourself in a situation where you are injured on the job, there are several steps to ensure you receive proper attention and care. One step may be to file a workers comp claim, which is sometimes a lengthy process that may require a workers’ comp hearings. Shultz legal has represented hundreds of workers to help them navigate this process. If you are unsure whether you need legal representation, we are happy to discuss your options. Contact us today!
Shultz Legal: What We Do
You have likely heard of workers' compensation, also known as workers comp. Workers’ comp is insurance that provides cash benefits and/or medical care for workers who are injured or become ill as a direct result of their job. To apply for workers’ comp, you must go through a specific process and submit a claim to qualify for this support. In some cases, your claim may be denied. So, hiring a workers’ comp attorney is your best bet to ensure that you receive the support you deserve. This article will discuss what we do and how we can help if you ever find yourself in a work-related accident or injury.
As workers’ comp attorneys, we represent you and provide you with all the support you need throughout the entire workers’ comp process so that you can focus on healing from your injury. Once you or any worker is injured, you will have a specific amount of time to gather documentation and submit a claim. The claim is then reviewed and either approved or denied. Sometimes in this process, a hearing is required.
From the moment you call us, our job is to help evaluate the situation, determine the best course of action, and then represent you throughout the entire process. With our many years of experience, we are experts on the nuances often overlooked by those choosing to represent themselves.
Some of the many ways we assist you and all our clients include:
- Answering any questions or concerns while guiding you through the entire workers' comp process
- Assisting you in accurately completing all the necessary forms by their deadlines
- Communicating with the workers’ comp insurer on your behalf and any supervisors that may need updates
- Helping you to arrange medical appointments and care
- Gathering the appropriate medical evidence to support your claim
- Negotiating the settlement you deserve
- Representing you at your workers’ compensation hearing should one be required
- Assisting you in appealing the decision should your claim be denied
Shultz Legal is more than just a law firm. We are a group of people who care about helping those who experience workplace injuries and believe everyone is entitled to the benefits and protection they deserve. As one of our clients explains, “The Shultz team was responsive, quickly helped me get doctors' appointments lined up and scheduled and kept me informed every single step of the way.”
