Accidents and injuries can happen in any job. However, the nature of some occupations is more dangerous than others. One such occupation is that of a truck driver. Trucks are heavy vehicles and huge in size. Therefore, it is difficult to maneuver such vehicles. Truck drivers have to be extremely careful when on the roads. Most of these drivers are employed by huge trucking companies and are therefore entitled to worker’s compensation benefits in case there is a workplace injury or illness.
All you need to know about compensation for truckers before reaching out to Workers’ Compensation lawyers:
- What accidents lead to worker’s compensation claims: Truck drivers are often on the roads due to the nature of their professions. This increases the chances of truck accidents. Some of the common risks that truckers face on a daily basis and that lead to worker’s compensation claims are – loading and unloading cargo, falls from loading docks, handling heavy equipment, etc.
- Immediate steps to take after an injury: Truckers must take immediate steps after an accident. The injured trucker must establish communication with his supervisor and inform him about the accident and injuries in detail. This is a crucial step in your claims process. Many trucking companies have strict terms and policies about reporting injuries within a specified time frame of 24 hours. As a trucker, you must not miss out on this.
- What does worker’s compensation cover: As worker’s compensation is a “no-fault” type of insurance, it covers all kinds of injuries. The worker’s compensation differs from state to state. However, most of the points are similar to all states. These are – medical costs associated with the job-related injury, any rehabilitation or physical therapy expenses, permanent total disability benefits if there is a loss of a body part. Also, if there is temporary total disability, the victim gets two-thirds of the average weekly wage if the employee is unable to work during the recovery process.
Truckers are one of the most dangerous professions. The commercial trucks that they drive are mostly used for logistics and are huge in size and weight. This is why they are more prone to accidents while at work. Therefore, when a trucker gets injured while working they are eligible to get worker’s compensation benefits. This no-fault system helps these truck drivers recover from the damages and injuries in the way of financial compensation. Worker’s compensation cases are complicated and will require the involvement of a worker’s compensation attorney.
