Truck drivers are among the most-used carriers of freight to and from a wide variety of industries, including industrial manufacturing plants, warehouses, trade shows, construction sites, and even residential living. But does that mean that truck drivers are invincible? Of course not. However, there are a few precautions you should know about when it comes to personal injury law. Here’s what you need to know about 5 Truck Driver Personal Injury advice !
1: What is Occupational Disease?
In the U.S. there are many diseases that have developed over time in the workplace. Despite their name, these diseases have more to do with your lifestyle habits than they do with a lack of work-environment control. A common occupational disease is known as MERS (modified by air strainers) – which is an outbreak of respiratory illnesses caused by breathing in dust particles that are generated when driving a truck (specifically diesel truck).
Occupational diseases can be treated and prevented if you take care of yourself and practice good hygiene whenever you’re on the job. Ask your employer or fellow employees how they stay healthy while on the job.
2: How Do I Report A Trucking Accident?
If you’re hurt in a trucking accident, it’s important to know how to report the incident to your local authorities. You can report the accident by calling your local police department and letting them know. You should also be sure to contact your insurance company and give them a heads up about what happened. Additionally, you can file for compensation with your state’s workers’ compensation board.
3: Do Truckers have Workers Compensation Insurance?
That depends, it all depends on the state that you work in. Most states will have a mandatory requirement for workers compensation insurance for those driving trucks. If you live in one of these states, your employer is required to pay for workers compensation insurance for their employees.
However, if you’re not eligible to receive workers comp and you’re injured while driving a truck, you could be liable for medical bills that exceed $1000. You can never be held responsible if your employer provides coverage against this type of liability.
4: How do I get Time and a Half Pay for Driving a Truck?
That depends, it all depends on how many miles you’re driving. Truckers usually drive around 50,000 miles per year in order to keep their jobs – that’s roughly 10 hours a day at the office and 8 straight hours of driving every day. So if you’re working with your employer to work 10 hour days, 500 days a year, your employer would be entitled to pay you for that extra time if need be. In addition, if you are an owner-operator (you have your own vehicle) this is an additional perk that most trucking companies offer their drivers as well. Truck drivers who own their truck can earn around $1000 – $2000 more a year by driving 10 hours a day, 500 days a year.
5: Do Trucks Have the Same Minimum Wage Standards as Other Industries?
That depends, it all depends on how many hours you’re working. In most cases, truckers are required to drive their vehicle 8-10 hours per day in order to make the rest of their mortgage or rent payments for that month. So if you’re working 10 Hours a Day, 5 Days a Week for 52 Weeks that’s about 260-300 hours per year. If an hour isn’t enough time to earn minimum wage pay (which is $7.25/hour in most states), then you’re entitled to time-and-a-half pay.
Some trucking companies will pay their drivers $15 per hour, which means you’ll be making $28.50 an hour if you’re working full-time. However, this is not the norm – and most trucking companies adhere to the federal standard for minimum wage ($7.25/hour).
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