The profession of commercial truck driving can be difficult and risky while hauling goods and cargo from one part of the country to the other.
If you are a commercial truck driver and have sustained injuries in an accident while on the job, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. You may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses incurred, lost wages, and other expenses related to the injury. An experienced Missouri work injury lawyer can explain to you the complete process and help you in receiving the deserved compensation.
Hazards of Truck Driving
Truck drivers face many hazards while on the job. Many hazards are quite obvious whereas others are not. There are various situations that can result in injuries to a truck driver including:
- Collision with another vehicle – The severity of the injuries will depend on various factors such as the speed of impact and the angle at which the collision takes place.
- Slip and fall – A truck cabin is quite high and the danger of slipping and falling during climbing in or down from a cabin is always there.
- Back injuries – A driver is always at risk of injuring his or her back while loading and hauling cargo. If the load is heavy, proper posture must be maintained so that the back is not adversely affected. Mechanical help should be utilized for loading very heavy cargo.
- Falling cargo – While inspecting, hauling, or loading cargo, there is always a risk that the cargo may slip and fall. In case the cargo falls on the driver, minor to severe crush injuries can result depending on the weight of the cargo and the body part that it falls on.
Sprains, Strains, and Back Injuries
A big risk to the health of a truck driver is the continuous sitting posture maintained while driving the truck. This is punctuated with short periods of exertion which is due to the manual effort used during loading and unloading of cargo. This can cause various injuries like sprain, strain, and other back injuries.
Complications of Commercial Trucking Accidents
There are various complications that can arise in accidents involving trucks. For example, a trucker belongs to one state, employed by a trucking company of another state, and he or is involved in a trucking accident in a third state; the case becomes complicated deciding which state to file the compensation claim. It is essential to seek legal guidance from a Kansas City workers’ compensation lawyer who has adequate experience of handling trucking accident claims. Call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (816) 399-3706 for a free consultation.