Truck drivers, commercial and non-commercial, who drive semi-trucks are required to obtain certain licenses to be able to operate such large vehicles and the machinery that comes with such vehicle operation. Furthermore, most truck drivers are also trained in how to operate their trucks and are required to adhere to strict safety standards on the road and in loading and unloading goods. However, truck accidents do occur, and, mostly due to the sheer size of trucks, they can be very lethal.

The National Safety Council reports that in 2020, 4,842 large trucks (defined as those trucks that have a gross vehicle weight of over 10,000 pounds, are used commercially or non-commercially, and do not include buses or motor homes) were involved in fatal truck accidents. According to the National Safety Council, this figure actually represents a slight decrease in truck accidents since 2019, but a 33% increase in truck accidents since 2011. In terms of the numbers of fatalities due to truck accidents, a total of 4,965 people were killed in truck accidents in 2020 in the United States.

When it comes to truck accidents that result not in fatalities, but in injuries, in 2020, the National Safety Council reports that 107,000 large trucks were involved in trucking accidents in the United States. Again, the Council reports, this represents a 10% decrease since 2019, but an increase in truck accidents of 5% since 2016. The Council further reports that a whopping 147,000 injuries occurred in 2020 as a result of truck accidents in the United States.

Truck Accident Lawyers Help Injured Motorists Get Justice for Negligent Truck Accidents

A truck accident can be caused by a number of factors, but common reasons when it is the truck driver’s fault include poor training, bad hiring practices of the trucking employer, poor truck maintenance, negligence of the truck driver, and unsecured loads on the truck, resulting in falling objects. In these cases, when a motorist is injured, they may have a personal injury case, and may be entitled to compensation for damages as a result of the truck accident. The best thing that a person can do if they are injured in a truck accident is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. The experienced Batesville truck accident lawyers at Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe provide a free and confidential consultation. During your consultation with a Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe lawyer, you can learn your rights and options, and see if they can help you get justice and compensation for injuries sustained from a truck accident. Contact the law office of Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe today to get started with your free and confidential consultation.

Source:

injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/large-trucks/

However, the life of a truck driver is not always easy. Aside from countless hours spent sitting behind the wheel, it is also strenuous work to load and unload cargo—and driving a large commercial vehicle is quite dangerous and can lead to tragic traffic accidents. Due to these conditions, it is common for truck drivers to sustain numerous types of injuries.

Unfortunately, not all truck drivers are eligible for workers’ compensation to cover the cost of injury-related medical expenses and wages that they miss out on while recovering. Workers’ comp coverage depends on what type of worker you are considered, such as an employee or an independent contractor.

If you have questions about workers’ compensation eligibility, you should consult with a local attorney in your area. Workers’ compensation benefits and coverage can vary from state to state. A local Mississippi or Louisiana workers’ comp attorney can help you review your individual policy to determine if you are eligible to file a claim.

Filing for Workers’ Compensation as a Truck Driver

Again, workers’ compensation coverage will typically depend on what type of worker you are. Generally, employers with a certain number of employees must provide workers’ compensation benefits for their drivers in Mississippi and Louisiana. So, if you drive as an official employee for a trucking company, it is likely that you are covered.

However, if you are an independent contractor or an owner-operator, you would likely not be covered under any workers’ compensation policy. If you are a fleet owner yourself, you may be required to pay for a workers’ compensation insurance policy depending on how many drivers you have under your employ.

It’s also important to note that even if you are an official employee, it is not uncommon for employers to misclassify their drivers to avoid paying for a workers’ compensation insurance policy. If you have any concerns or questions about coverage, get in touch with a worker’s compensation attorney.

What Are The Most Common Injuries Truck Drivers Sustain?

Workers’ compensation claims are prevalent in the trucking industry due to the nature of this type of work. The type of injuries that are sustained can also vary significantly from one situation to the next. However, if you are eligible for compensation, you should be able to receive benefits no matter what type of injury you sustain, so long as it is a result of work performed on the job.

Below are some of the more common injuries seen reported on workers’ compensation claims. But again, the injuries can vary depending on the individual circumstances. If an accident were to occur while driving, for example, the injuries can be more severe than what is listed below. Traffic accidents involving large trucks are known to cause serious injuries, such as head and brain trauma, lacerations, internal damage, and more.

1. Back Strain

Back strains are prevalent in truck drivers because of all the sitting, as well as loading and unloading cargo. Sitting for hours puts a lot of stress on the lower back and hips, which can easily lead to a back strain or sprain. If proper support gear is not worn or heavy cargo is not lifted correctly, you can also strain or throw out your back while dealing with shipments.

2. Carpal Tunnel and Tendinitis

Having your hands and arms in one positing for an extended period, such as holding onto a steering wheel, can also lead to tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel and tendinitis can affect many areas of the body, but it is most commonly seen in the fingers, hands, wrists, and elbows of truck drivers.

3. Repetitive Stress and Strain Injuries

Other areas of the body can become strained when you perform the same motions over and over again for your job, which is common in the trucking industry. Overexertion or overuse of a muscle or part of the body can lead to a strain, especially if you don’t take proper care of your body and stretch after sitting for long periods of time behind the wheel.

5. Broken Bones

Fractures or broken bones are also common injuries for truck drivers who deal with heavy and dangerous cargo. If safety precautions are not adhered to, cargo can fall or come loose while you are loading or unloading at a dock. Or, you could slip and fall, which can cause a bone to fracture or break. Broken bones also happen often when traffic accidents occur.

Connect with an Experienced Mississippi and Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you are injured on the job, whether it is the result of an accident or a repetitive stress injury from sitting behind the wheel for long hours, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can cover medical expenses and a portion of your wages that you may miss out on while recovering from your injury.

Unfortunately, not all truck drivers are covered under a workers’ compensation policy, so it’s important to talk to your employer or with an experienced attorney to determine your eligibility. If your employer denies your benefits, but you believe you are eligible, contact an attorney right away.

For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Mississippi or Louisiana, contact Lunsford, Baskin, and Priebe, PLLC. After-hours visits are available.

Every trucking accident is different and some lead to serious or even fatal injuries, so you may need to take certain steps out of order to ensure your health or the health of another person.

1. Remain at the Scene, But Don’t Talk About the Accident

If you were involved in a trucking accident or if you were a witness to the accident, you should stay at the scene unless you’re injured. People involved in accidents are required to exchange insurance, driver’s license information, and contact information. Although you need to interact with the other drivers involved, you should avoid discussing the accident. You could say something that hurts your case, or you may apologize or take responsibility even if it wasn’t your fault.

2. Call 911

You need to call 911 in the event that the accident injured someone or is blocking traffic. If you’re uninjured, you likely need to speak with a police officer about the accident. Try to take note of the officer’s name and badge number. Answer their questions truthfully but never admit that an accident is your fault.

3. Receive Medical Attention

Your health should be your number one priority after a wreck, and you should still seek medical treatment for minor injuries. Some injuries may not become evident until days or even weeks after the accident. Even if you don’t have significant pain or discomfort, you should visit a doctor and inform them that you were involved in a traffic accident. They’ll be able to proactively check for common injuries that people sustain after vehicular wrecks.

4. Don’t Discuss the Wreck With Anyone Else Involved or Their Insurance Company

Anything you say to another driver that was involved in the wreck or their insurance company can be used against you. Insurance adjusters may attempt to contact you and ask you questions regarding the accident. You should not discuss the accident unless you already have a lawyer and they’re with you.

5. Never Admit Fault

Authorities and insurance companies will investigate the accident. You should never admit fault because even if you were partially to blame, there could be another contributing factor to the wreck that you don’t know about. When law enforcement and others ask you questions about the wreck, do not apologize (which implies guilt) and do not admit fault.

6. Gather Information and Evidence

If possible, try to gather evidence and document the scene of the accident while you’re there. You can gather information from eyewitnesses, collect the first responders’ badge numbers, and write down the license plates of those involved in the wreck. Additionally, you can take pictures on your smartphone. All of the information you gather can support your claim. If you’re unable to collect evidence when the wreck occurred, you can return to the scene later and gather information.

7. Don’t Discuss the Accident on Social Media

It may be tempting to discuss the accident on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, but it can severely hurt your case. Even if you see a news report or article online about the wreck you were involved in, do not reshare the posts and don’t comment on them. Anything you post online can be used against you in court. For example, if you say that you’re feeling well after a wreck, an insurance company could use that against you as evidence that your injuries were not severe.

8. Don’t Sign Anything Without a Lawyer

The trucking company involved in the wreck or the insurance company of someone involved may attempt to have you sign paperwork. You should have a legal professional look over documents before you sign them. Otherwise, you may unintentionally admit fault or limit the amount you can recover. A company may offer you a settlement check if you sign their documents, but your lawyer needs to look it over, especially because you may be entitled to a much larger settlement.

9. Call a Mississippi Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’re involved in a trucking accident, you need expert truck accident lawyers at your side to help you with your case. A skilled Mississippi truck accident attorney can help you recover compensation for vehicle damages, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of consortium, and more.

The truck accident and personal injury attorneys at Lunsford, Baskin, and Priebe, PLLC, have helped numerous victims of vehicular accidents receive the money they deserved. For legal assistance in Mississippi, contact our Jackson office at 601-488-3975 or click here to schedule a free case evaluation.