How to be Safe on the Road: Tips for Delivery Drivers

Thursday, August 2, 2012

How to be Safe on the Road: Tips for Delivery Drivers

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Knowing how to be safe on the road is a matter of great importance to truck and package delivery drivers, particularly long haul truckers. Delivery drivers and other such workers characteristically suffer from lower back pain and other work-related injuries due to the nature of their jobs. In fact, many truck and package delivery driver injuries are unique to their industry.

For that reason, there is a high prevalence of worker’s compensation claims for back pain among truck drivers. Here are a few of the most common injuries to look for:

• Arm and Hand Tingling
• Back Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Strains and Sprains

Truck and package delivery driver injuries are prevalent in the industry, because drivers often work long hours and are required to do heavy lifting in addition to driving. Long haul truckers are also susceptible to upper extremity injuries resulting from sleeping on their side in cramped quarters, driving with one elbow supported by the window frame and resting one hand on the constantly vibrating gear shift. Additionally, routine maintenance, loading and unloading of the vehicles is strenuous for both types of truck drivers and leads to truck and package delivery driver injuries.

There are a variety of other ways that a delivery drivers and truckers can suffer injury while on the job, including:

• Equipment malfunctions
• Injuries from falling off a loading dock
• Injuries from falling off a trailer
• Strains from tightening down a load
• Stress from the pressure to drive longer hours

The best way for drivers to avoid these common injuries and understand how to be safe on the road is to:

• Avoid repetitive motion if possible
• Get adequate rest
• Keep fit by exercising regularly
• Take care of yourself on days off
• Use good lifting techniques – bending at the knees and lifting

Even when employing the above techniques, most drivers will experience delivery driver type injuries over the course of their career. When injuries escalate to a point where they are unbearable and preventing the driver from doing their job, it is worth exploring worker’s compensation for back pain or other injuries.

You may be entitled to compensation from multiple sources if you were injured while driving or performing other duties as a semi truck, tractor trailer or commercial vehicle driver. To get an understanding of your options, you should speak with a personal injury attorney.

Many insurance companies will pay for your medical bills, and they even may pay you while you’re off of work. However, what they likely won’t tell you is that you’re also entitled to a lump sum settlement. This lump sum can be worth thousands of dollars, or much more.

If you have been hurt at work, it is important that you seek legal assistance to receive the compensation you deserve. Studies show that claimants who “go it alone” (file without the help of an attorney) get two to three times less than what they get with good legal counsel on their side. Knowing how to be safe on the road is important for your health and career, but if you have already been injured at work, giving an attorney a call can increase your chances to recover compensation for your injuries.

When you contact us for a Free Workers Compensation Case Evaluation, you’ll immediately be connected with an experienced attorney, who will go to work filing your claim.