
We have helped over 500 injured truck drivers file Illinois workers’ compensation claims. Those drivers get injured in all sorts of ways. There are a lot of lifting injuries. Drivers who fall off the truck and hurt their leg or break an ankle. Accidents that can cause concussions and a host of other injuries.
One unique injury that box truck drivers have is that the act of driving itself poses a unique risk that can cause a back injury.
If you drive a car for work, you are most likely driving the type of vehicle that the average person does. That means you are not subject to an increased risk of injury just from driving.
Box truck drivers and other truck drivers on the other hand are different. You sit in a tight cab space. You use force to shift. And quite often you are bouncing up and down in the truck. Those acts put you at an increased risk of injury. It can be from the vehicle itself, potholes, debris in the road or other objects.
A lot of the truck drivers we have helped over the years have developed nerve damage or other problems in their back from the shock of bouncing up and down as well as from being in a tight space. Those injuries can be really serious and in the worst case scenarios can cause a driver to undergo back surgery and ultimately not be able to continue as a driver.
If this happens to you, there are a few things that are incredibly important to do:
- Report the problem/pain to your employer. You have to tell them within 45 days of when you knew or should have known an injury might have happened. So many drivers love being on their own and do not regularly see supervisors. Our best recommendation is to shoot them an email or text so it is documented. Tell the truth, but if it’s from bouncing in the cab, something like, “I’ve been bouncing a lot in the cab and my back is starting to hurt. I’m going to see a doctor.”
- Get to the doctor and make sure you are clear about what you do for work. Not every doctor understands how a truck operates. Give them a detailed description of your work space and work duties. Often back injuries are a combo of the bouncing, the lifting, jumping out of the vehicle and other acts that are a part of your job.
- Follow up with your doctor. So many drivers just want to get back on the road. If your doctor says you need physical therapy, do it. If he wants you to come back and see them in two weeks, make sure you are there. The biggest mistake drivers make in these cases is going months without treatment. That can kill a case and really harm your future.
- Get an attorney who knows what they are doing. Too many lawyers do not take the time to understand the true nature of what their clients do. That is a huge red flag. If you call a lawyer and they can not speak the same work language as you, find someone else.
We help all types of drivers, both company drivers and 1099’s who have been misclassified. And we would love to help you. There is never a fee to contact us and speak with an attorney. And there is no fee to start a case. We promise to give you straight forward, honest advice and do whatever we can to help you. Please call us any time at 312-346-5578. We can help drivers based out of Illinois, drivers who primarily work in Illinois or anyone who was hurt here while working.







