Tulsa sits directly on a major truck route that connects heavy freight traffic in the region with the Midwest at large, and dangerous truck accidents are not uncommon. Truck drivers are vulnerable to being injured in the course of their work, and truck accidents are one of the primary causes. If you’re a trucker who has been injured on the job, our experienced Tulsa workers’ compensation lawyers for truck drivers will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the compensation you deserve.
Truck Drivers Face Serious Risks On The Job
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the risks associated with the occupation of trucking. All the following apply:
- Truck drivers experience higher rates of both fatal and nonfatal injuries and illnesses, as compared to other private industry jobs.
- When injuries prove fatal, they tend to be caused by truck accidents.
- Nonfatal work-related injuries, on the other hand, are more likely to be caused by falls, overexertion, and contact with objects.
Having trusted legal representation on your side is always advised.
Truck Drivers And Workers’ Compensation Coverage
If you’re a truck driver who works for a trucking company, you should be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Many trucking companies, however, attempt to classify truck drivers as independent contractors to try to cut costs and avoid providing benefits like workers’ comp. Often, this amounts to worker misclassification, and related cases are heard by Oklahoma federal courts.
Some of the telltale signs that a truck driver is misclassified as an independent contractor include all the following:
- The trucking company sets its exact work hours and delivery times and implements specific check-in routines.
- The trucking company specifies the route that the trucker must take.
- The trucking company requires the driver to wear a branded uniform, to display the company logo on their rig, or to attend required meetings.
- The trucking company uses GPS to continually track the driver’s location and job performance while they’re on duty.
- The trucking company is in the position of denying requests for time off.
- The trucking company doesn’t allow the trucker to haul for other trucking companies.
- The trucking company requires the driver to buy or lease a specific truck or to use a repair shop they’ve designated.
If You Were Injured In A Truck Accident
Workers’ comp is a no-fault system that covers employees for injuries on the job regardless of who is at fault. This means that, if you’re injured in a truck accident that is attributed to your own negligence, your employer’s negligence, or a third-party’s negligence, you’re covered. If, however, the truck accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, you can file a personal injury claim along with your workers’ compensation claim.
Reach Out To Our Experienced Tulsa Workers’ Compensation Attorneys For Truck Drivers Today
Our accomplished Tulsa workers’ compensation lawyers for truck drivers at ASH LAW are proud to serve clients throughout Oklahoma, and we have earned an impressive reputation for providing effective legal counsel in the process. Learn more by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 918-599-0001 today.
