If you are a truck driver or other trucking company employee, it may seem that the most obvious work-related risks exist on the road. And it’s true that truck drivers are commonly injured in traffic crashes—there were 83,000 injury crashes involving large trucks in 2017 alone. Trucking employees, however, face other significant work-related dangers that may not be as well known. Upon departure or arrival, truck drivers are often located in a terminal, warehouse, or other worksites. These locations pose unique risks to truckers, and those who are injured can be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, even though they were not driving at the time of the accident.
In North Carolina, attorney Bob Bollinger and the legal team at The Bollinger Law Firm represent truckers who have suffered injuries at worksite and loading locations. A Board-Certified Specialist in NC Workers’ Compensation Law, Bob understands the challenges truckers face and the ways in which the workers’ compensation system can protect them after an injury. If you or someone you love has suffered an injury in an accident at a terminal, warehouse, or worksite, call our Charlotte office today to learn more about who we are and how we may be able to help.
Common Terminal, Warehouse, and Worksite Accidents in North Carolina
Job sites and loading locations can be loud, busy places. With a rush to get goods delivered as quickly as possible, it can be chaotic, and accidents can happen. Some of the most common accidents include:
- Loading and unloading accidents. Many drivers are expected to contribute to the loading or unloading process, and even those who aren’t can face risks as large cargo is moved nearby. From lifting injuries to being hit by cargo, there are many dangers in a terminal or warehouse.
- Slips, trips, and falls. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the injuries that are most likely to result in missed work are often caused by falls. These are also common accidents; in 2016, fall incidents for truck drivers increased more than 25 percent, Worksites can be slick or uneven. Tools and cargo that have not been properly stored can create tripping hazards. Additionally, truck cabs are high, and climbing in and out of the cab often can create risks.
- Vehicle maintenance accidents. When truckers arrive at a destination or before departing on a trip, they are expected to inspect their vehicles and make adjustments or repairs. The parts of a commercial truck are extremely large and heavy; even raising the hood can be a risky task. Additionally, maintenance can expose drivers to hazardous chemicals or contents that may be hot or under pressure, furthering the risks.
- Collisions with equipment. Companies typically use machines to most effectively transfer materials inside cargo terminals and warehouses. Truck drivers have suffered severe injuries from being hit by or colliding with forklifts, cranes, and front-loaders. There have also been reports of containers slipping from these machines and falling onto truckers and other employees, causing serious injuries and even death.
While these types of accidents are the most common, injuries can result from a wide variety of circumstances. Even if you aren’t sure if you are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim, don’t hesitate to reach out to Bob Bollinger and the staff at The Bollinger Law Firm. We can answer your questions at our free strategy session and help you decide how to best move forward.
North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available for Many Types of Trucking Injuries
North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits are available for truck drivers and other trucking company employees who suffer many types of injuries in terminal, warehouse, and worksite accidents. Often, after these accidents, truckers experience:
- Spine injury
- Amputation
- Shoulder injury
- Knee injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
These injuries can require extensive, often invasive, medical treatment and ongoing care. It can be difficult for injured workers and their families to address the physical and financial demands of this care without help from the workers’ compensation system. While you are out of work and healing from an injury, you should be able to focus on what really matters—recovering as fully as possible. Your employer's workers' compensation insurance company may work hard to make this difficult for you. They don't want to pay on a claim if they can help it and they will fight you every step of the way. They will make sure you know that they are in control—they can even tell you what doctor you have to go to. But you can take back some degree of control by hiring an experienced workers' compensation attorney.
At The Bollinger Law Firm, attorney Bob Bollinger is here to help injured truckers obtain the medical care and wage replacement benefits they need. He can even help you choose your doctor. He has successfully presented more than 100 cases to the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and, as a Board-Certified Specialist in NC Workers’ Compensation Law, he has the knowledge and experience to help your family find the best possible outcome in your case. If you or someone you love has suffered an injury in a trucking-related accident, contact us to schedule a free strategy session or request a free copy of our workers’ compensation educational materials.