Studies and research reveal that most of the fatal injuries in the transportation sector happen from careless driving and not following road signs. That means that your trucking drivers can be among these people who suffer these accidents and injuries while at work. And, you know it; Workplace injuries affect the working ability of your drivers besides paralyzing their careers altogether. But, what exactly do your drivers expose themselves to?
Washington trucking lawyers explain below some of the risks that individuals in the trucking industry are exposed to:
Musculoskeletal disorders and Truck-related injuries
These disorders target the upper body, back, and neck. The disorders arise from strains when unloading and loading boxes, cans, and heavy stuff from and on the truck. Working on the truck tires and using loaders can also bring about the problem. On truck-related injuries, these are the ones that a driver can sustain when using the truck. These injuries arise when drivers lose control when driving or upon collision with other vehicles.
Falling from elevated grounds and Hit by object
Trucks are usually high than most vehicles and missing a step when getting on the truck can cause fatal fall. Drivers can also fall on stairs or into openings and be prone to workplace injuries. Also, these injuries occur when a driver is delivering boxes to people in a tall building. The resultant injuries from this kind of falls include knee and back sprains. Also, when truck drivers are handling containers or hitching trailers, they risk being hit by falling objects. These objects could include bars, chains, vehicle parts, and boxes. The objects harm the body parts they hit, and that can cause long-term pain.
What Happens after an Injury?
When a truck driver suffers a workplace injury, they have two options that they can take for legal action. These steps that one can take are:
Filing a compensation claim: When you file a worker’s compensation claim, you deserve to obtain compensation from the employer. That only applies if your contract is not independent of the company’s operations. This compensation allows you to obtain compensation even if there is no direct link of the employer to the accident. The benefits a truck driver can reap include covering medical costs and compensation for lost wages.
Filing a lawsuit: The rules in the worker’s compensation clause prohibit an employee from suing their employer for workplace injuries. Nevertheless, when another party is responsible for workplace injuries, the victim has the option of filing a lawsuit. Personal injury lawsuits offer the affected parties benefits that workers’ compensation does not offer. You must, however, provide sufficient proof that the third party is solely responsible for the hurt.
Workplace injuries affect the truck driver and their earning ability as a result. Therefore, it is essential that once a truck driver has had a workplace injury that they seek the help of trucking lawyers in Washington. You will save yourself the emotional and financial stress that a workplace injury can impose on you. The trucking layer will represent you in court to ensure that you get full compensation and in time before you can get back on your feet.
