Accidents on the job serious risk for professional drivers

On behalf of Jeffrey Frederick of Frederick & Hagle posted in Workplace Accidents on Thursday, July 16, 2015.

Drivers play an exceptionally important role in consumer and service-based societies. Delivery truck and 18-wheeler drivers make sure that goods and products make it to their destinations in a timely manner, while those who sit behind the wheels of taxis and buses transport citizens around cities and beyond. Unlike other jobs, professional drivers in Illinois are constantly on the move, which may put them at greater risk for suffering from accidents on the job.

Even the most cautious drivers are at the mercy of other motorists on the road. Despite stopping at all stop signs, yielding to vehicles with the right of way and obeying traffic signals, a single negligent or reckless driver can cause a serious accident resulting in devastating injuries. For employees who spend their work hours behind a steering wheel, being hit by a negligent driver typically constitutes a workplace accident.

However, other drivers are not the only danger that these workers face. Employers are still responsible for providing their employees with the safest work environment possible by eliminating and minimizing hazards. Vehicles usually require regular maintenance and any serious issues — such as problems with the brakes or even the alignment of the vehicle — must be addressed in a timely manner. Wrecks that are a result of faulty or negligent upkeep by an employer can also be considered a workplace accident.

Injuries eligible for workers’ compensation are typically any that are incurred in the process of completing work duties. At our firm, we know how serious the impact of car accidents on the job can be for Illinois employees who drive for a living. While workers’ compensation is typically the first step for addressing damages such as medical bills and pain and suffering, some victims of vehicle accidents can also recover recourse from a third-party — the driver who caused the wreck in the first place.