Life on the Line: What Happens When the Job Puts You in Harm’s Way
Each day, thousands of employees risk their lives to earn a living. For some, it comes with the job — literally. Truck drivers are among those who face the risk of injury every day. They spend hours on the road, dealing with uncooperative weather, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and occasionally treacherous driving conditions.
Despite the thrills of open-road driving, truck drivers are at high risk on the road. But what happens when that job endangers their lives? What do they do to protect themselves when a truck driver injury occurs?
Exposed to Many Dangers
Truck drivers are among the most dangerous occupations in the world. Truck driving is one of the top occupations with the highest rate of injuries and fatalities, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Long hours, physical strain, accidents, and even mental fatigue contribute to that risk.
Such accidents can happen at any moment since other drivers are negligent, the roads are dangerous, or a car doesn’t have all its parts working properly.
Truck drivers are also vulnerable to musculoskeletal injuries, as their job requires physical labor that involves heavy lifting, repetitive motions, and long durations of remaining seated. They may suffer emotional or psychological strain from the pressure of having to meet deadlines and from the loneliness of long-distance driving.
Things To Do After a Truck Driver Injury
A truck driver injury can have ripple effects. An accident injury at work can have serious implications for your ability to earn a salary, especially if these injuries result from physical work requirements.
This may lead the truck driver to lose his or her ability to work, resulting in lost wages. Depending on how bad the injury is, the driver could also be subject to long-term physical limitations, which could affect their quality of life.
Many times, the instinct is to visit a doctor. But handling the financial and legal consequences can be much more complex. Truck drivers work either for a trucking company or as independent contractors. This raises an issue of liability. Is it the company’s job to maintain the vehicle? Was the accident caused by the other driver? Is there something wrong with the vehicle that caused the injury?
Do You Need a Truck Driver Injury Lawyer?
This is the point at which a truck driver injury lawyer comes into play. These attorneys specialize in assisting individuals who have been injured in truck-related catastrophes. If the injury occurred because of a road accident or workplace injury, the injured party can go legally by hiring a lawyer.
A truck driver injury lawyer will first evaluate the specifics of the case to identify who was at fault. Investigate the truck’s maintenance records, analyze the driving behaviors of other drivers involved in the accident, and review any safety violations. They’ll help you pursue payment for things like medical bills, missed wages, and other expenses related to your case.
If a truck driver is an employee of a company, he or she is probably covered under their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. However, workers’ compensation doesn’t always compensate for the full extent of the damages, and the injured driver may seek additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Therefore, a truck driver injury lawyer is the absolute best person to help. They can help you discover all potential sources of compensation (including third parties and advocate for the best possible outcome.
How Truck Drivers Protect Themselves
Although legal help is critical following an injury, truck drivers can take actions to protect themselves on the job. First maintaining proper training and certifications ensures drivers understand safety protocols and how to respond when situations can be hazardous.
Having the truck roadworthy also requires regular maintenance of the vehicle. Drivers should also ensure that they are taking breaks to avoid getting fatigued and for their own state of health — both physical and mental — before embarking on long hours on the road.
Truck drivers should document their working conditions and report unsafe conditions to their employers. The documentation can be invaluable for helping ensure coverage in case of a future injury or accident, establishing that the driver was following proper safety protocols.
Truck drivers are vital to the economy but face high risks. In case of injury, it is very important to know what legal and financial options you have. Hiring a truck driver injury lawyer can be the difference in receiving the amount required to heal from an injury and move on. Some dangers come with the job, but with the precautions, legal help, and a focus on safety, truck drivers can safeguard themselves and their livelihoods.
