Many hours on the road and strenuous activities related to truck driving can often take a physical and mental toll on those working as California truck drivers. That’s why laws and safety standards protect truck drivers from being pushed to the limit. Unfortunately, despite the government’s best efforts taken to ensure that professional drivers get the rest they need and the protection they deserve, accidents happen, and truck drivers remain vulnerable to serious, life-altering work-related injuries.
The best course of action for professional truck drivers who suffer an on-the-job injury is to file a workers’ compensation claim with the California Department of Workers’ Compensation. This post will discuss the common work-related injuries among California truck drivers filing for workers’ compensation.
Top Five Truck Driver Injuries Eligible Under California Workers’ Comp
Here are five of the most common work-related injuries that California drivers face, which are typically covered under workers’ compensation:
1. Strains or Sprains
A strain or a sprain can occur when the body experiences some sudden force that will pull or tear a tendon or muscle. Often called overuse injuries, these injuries result from the continuous strain that the truck driver’s body will experience while on the road.
A driving injury may range from superficial contusions and bruises to more severe injuries such as hernias. These injuries typically occur when the truck driver is forced to make sudden movements while attempting to avoid a crash. Other factors that may play a role include age, physical well-being, and posture.
2. Tennis Elbow, Tendinitis, and Carpal Tunnel
Tennis Elbow, Tendinitis, Carpal Tunnel, and other repetitive motion strains can really affect just about any part of a truck driver’s body but most commonly affect the hands, fingers, wrists, and arms. Repetitive motion strains are just that; muscle and joint strains that result from repetitive motions over time.
One of the most common examples of repetitive motion strains affecting truck drivers is steering the vehicle and stretching tissues in the driver’s arms and wrists, resulting in tissue damage, nerve compression, pain, inflammation, or swelling.
3. Slip and Fall Accidents
It’s not easy to be a professional truck driver. It is a job that requires lots of multitasking and good coordination. Among the many hazards that truck drivers will face are ramps, stairs, spills, and unfamiliar environments. One misstep can result in the truck driver losing their balance, slipping, or falling.
Slip and fall accidents are common work-related injuries among California’s truck drivers.
4. Motor Vehicle Accidents
It should come as no surprise that a truck driver is especially susceptible to motor vehicle accidents and are putting their lives at risk every time they are on the road, especially when driving in urban environments. The most common accidents involving truck drivers are usually single collisions involving a vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian.
Truck drivers injured in a work-related traffic accident may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, in California, the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim is two years from the date of the crash. So, you must file your claim promptly if you have been involved in a work-related truck accident.
5. Workplace Injuries
Like every other California worker, an injured truck driver is eligible to receive workers’ comp benefits if they suffer workplace injuries. For example, suppose a truck driver lifts a heavy object as part of their job description, accidentally drops the object on their foot, and is injured. In that case, they might be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
How Truck Drivers Can Get the Workers’ Comp Benefits They Deserve
Workers’ comp insurance protects injured workers by providing coverage for medical care and loss of income due to their injury. As long as the injury occurs while the truck driver is working, they may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
If you are a truck driver that has been injured on the job, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Next, you should know your rights as they relate to California’s workers’ compensation program. As with any workers’ compensation claim, there are lots of moving parts associated with claims related to truck driver injuries. The best way to navigate the claims process is to work with a workers’ compensation attorney.
The legalities surrounding workplace injury claims, especially for truck drivers, can be very complicated, so seeking counsel from a workplace injury attorney is crucial.
If you are a truck driver injured at work, contact the workers’ compensation experts from Aoudi Law.
Our experienced team of workers’ compensation professionals has helped countless California truck drivers get the compensation they deserve following an on-the-job injury. Call or text 714-386-9874 today for a free consultation.
