Truck drivers not only spend vast amounts of hours on the road, increasing their chances of a traffic accident, but they are also expected to load and unload cargo and to assist in the truck’s maintenance, which can result in injuries. Every truck driver should be aware of the common types of work-related injuries this occupation puts them at a high risk for.

We have compiled a list of some of the most frequently sustained injuries truck drivers suffer from while on the job:

• Injuries caused by trucking accidents: Truck accidents are some of the most severe traffic accidents that occur due to the size, weight, and force with which it can strike, leaving drivers to cope with permanent damage or even death. If a negligent driver caused the accident, you might even be able to file a personal injury against the at-fault party in addition to your workers’ compensation claim.

• Injuries caused by loading and unloading trucks: Having to constantly move and lift heavy materials can take a toll on a worker, resulting in back, neck, knee, hand, and shoulder injuries, or even a heart attack. It is also not uncommon for drivers to fall or trip off the truck or loading dock while they are moving heavy cargo. To try to avoid some of these injuries, drivers should always use appropriate equipment to assist them in lifting heavier items whenever possible.

• Injuries caused by driving for long periods of time: Even a long car ride can cause a person to feel the aching pain that sitting for too many hours can cause. Unfortunately, for truck drivers, this is a constant reality. Truck drivers who spend more than 10 hours a day behind the wheel can develop excruciating neck pain and experience agonizing pressure on their back. Despite the fact that there are regulations in place to prevent truck drivers from spending excessive amounts of hours behind the wheel without a break, some employers flout the rules and put pressure on drivers to push themselves beyond these limits.

• Injuries caused by repetitive motions: Constantly turning, steering, and gripping the wheel can sometimes cause carpal tunnel syndrome to develop over time. Additionally, the frequent use of brakes can cause chronic knee pain. If truck driving causes you to develop this condition over time, or aggravates a pre-existing condition, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Remember, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, so even if your negligence was partly responsible for causing the injuries you suffered, you could still be entitled to receive workers’ compensation, which could pay for your medical expenses and provide wage replacement benefits while you take time off to recover.

Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Orange County

If you were injured while on the job, or performing a work-related task off-site, you could be eligible for important workers’ compensation benefits that could assist you throughout this difficult time. At Alvandi Law Group, P.C., our Orange County workers’ compensation attorneys have served Southern California for over 30 years and would be honored to serve you as well.

Our firm handles a vast range of work-related claims, including those that involve catastrophic injuries, brain injuries, vehicle accidents, toxic exposure

Call our office today at (800) 980-6905 to schedule a free case review.