Commercial truck drivers have an immensely difficult job. Not only are they responsible for a vehicle that ways dozens of tons, they also have to safely navigate it across our highways, manage the cargo, and continually stay focused mile after mile, day after day. As a result, commercial truck drivers actually have a pretty dangerous job. Drivers are injured in many different ways, whether it’s involvement in accidents or even just the repetitive constant motions that are performed while driving. Let’s take a closer look at four of the most common types of injuries that truck drivers sustain while on the job.
- Commercial truck accidents: The more you drive, the more likely it is you’ll be involved in an accident, and for commercial truck drivers who conquer tens of thousands of miles per year, the math speaks for itself. Truck accidents can lead to serious and even permanent injuries, which may entitle a driver to workers’ compensation benefits.
- Overexertion injuries: This is an extremely common injury type, not just for truck drivers but for drivers in general. In fact, overexertion injuries are the most common type of workplace injury in the country. These injuries often occur when someone lifts something wrong or too heavy, pushes, pulls, or becomes injured by simply trying to do too much.
- Injuries from driving for long periods of time: Have you ever gone on a road trip and noticed that your back aches, your knees hurt, your fingers felt numb, and gripping the steering wheel became more difficult after several hours? Imagine dealing with that every single day, and you’ve got a glimpse into the life of a truck driver. Drivers experience fatigue related injuries to their joints, including their knees and hands, plus added pressure on their neck and back.
- Repetitive motion injuries: Truck drivers actually have a fair number of repetitive motions you might not think about. The turning of the steering wheel, pushing and pulling of the shifter lever, adjusting the radio, and even the gripping of the steering wheel are all constant, repetitive motions for truck drivers that can lead to serious damage over a long period of time.
Are you a commercial truck driver? Have you suffered an injury on the job? Put a skilled and experienced Sacramento workers’ compensation attorney on your side! Call Smolich and Smolich today at (916) 571-0400 to schedule your free initial consultation.