Workers' Comp for Truck Drivers and Delivery Workers

Truck drivers and delivery workers face some of the highest injury rates of any occupation — from traffic accidents, to loading dock falls, to repetitive stress from long hours behind the wheel. Many drivers are also misclassified as independent contractors, which companies use to deny workers' comp coverage. Know your rights.

Common Injuries Among Truck Drivers

The most common truck driver workers' comp claims involve motor vehicle accidents (collisions, rollovers), loading and unloading injuries (back strains, falls from trailers), slip and fall injuries at delivery locations, repetitive stress injuries (back, neck, shoulder from driving), and occupational diseases from cargo exposure (chemicals, asbestos, fumes).

Independent Contractor Misclassification

Many trucking companies classify drivers as independent contractors to avoid providing workers' comp, health insurance, and other benefits. However, classification as an "independent contractor" does not automatically bar you from workers' comp. Courts look at the economic reality of the relationship — if the company controls how you work, provides your equipment, sets your routes and schedule, and you work exclusively for them, you may be an employee entitled to workers' comp despite the "contractor" label.

Workers' Comp vs. Motor Carrier Liability

If you were injured in a traffic accident while driving for work, you may have claims beyond workers' comp: a third-party negligence claim against the at-fault driver, an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim, and potentially a claim against your employer if vehicle maintenance failures contributed to the accident. These claims run simultaneously and are not mutually exclusive.

Long-Haul Driver Back and Spine Injuries

Years of driving expose truck drivers to whole-body vibration, prolonged sitting, and awkward postures that cumulatively damage the spine. Herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis developed or worsened by truck driving are compensable. Document your driving history, hours, and when symptoms began to establish the work connection.

FMCSA Regulations and Workers' Comp

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours-of-service regulations exist to prevent driver fatigue accidents. If you or your employer violated these regulations and an accident resulted, it creates additional legal liability beyond standard workers' comp. A workers' comp attorney with trucking experience can identify all available claims.