Alhambra Truck Driver Personal Injury and Wage Attorneys

With a population of more than 84,500 people, Alhambra is a city with a well-established economy. More than 43,000 people are employed in various industries, such as health care & social assistance, education, accommodation & food service, management, finance & insurance, and transport.

The city’s economy is smaller than that of large cities like Los Angeles, but it’s steadily growing. The median household income rose 8.49% from 2019 to 2020, reaching $66,593.

In 2020 more than 302,900 men and more than 15,300 women were employed in the driver and sales worker industry, with average full-time salaries ranging around $49,791 for men and $36,739 for women.

Like all world economies, Alhambra’s also took a hit during the pandemic, but now that things have cleared up, we see a growing demand in the workforce. In fact, one of the most required services is truck driving.

Alhambra Truck Driving Community

Drivers are an integral part of any community. Without their service, there will be no exchange of goods such as fresh produce, other foods, clothing items, housing items, construction items, and more. Without truck drivers, the whole economy could collapse.

Imagine a scenario in which the production of goods remains as is, but there is no delivery system. Warehouses would become overcrowded, fruits and vegetables would rot on the farms, and people would not have access to essential goods.

Because of this, drivers are in high demand following the nationwide truck driver shortage in the US. There are countless online listings for truck drivers in Alhambra, CA, from companies offering various incentives and benefits, but workers are still reluctant to apply.

The main reason for this is that despite their high demand, truck drivers still face low wages and uncertainty regarding their safety. Currently, the Alhambra, CA truck driver wage ranges between $44,885 and $60,707, which is well below the median household income.

That’s precisely why Truck Driver Rights is here – to offer legal assistance in cases where truckers are mistreated in terms of payment, work hours, or injuries.

Legislation and Problems with Wages and Working Hours

Low remuneration is a problem at any job, but truck drivers experience it more than other workers. It is quite common in this industry for employees to get piece-rate pay. This means that drivers receive payment only when they achieve a certain workload, for example, deliver x number of loads.

Currently, in the US, employers pay drivers in one of three ways. Either by the hour, per mile, or a percentage of the load they deliver.

However, hourly pay is usually avoided for these positions. This poses a huge problem for truck drivers because they don’t get paid for working hours. Lunch breaks and time spent in traffic aren’t included in the salary. The usual Alhambra, CA, truck driver wage is no exception.

Certain systems are in place to protect truck drivers from violations and mistreatment, but some drivers are unaware of them. Truck drivers must know their rights as workers.

Some laws protecting truck driver rights include legislation on the size and weight limit for trucks, service hours, safety equipment, and pace rate compensation.

Truck Size and Weight Limit

Although Californian law doesn’t state a specific number regarding the vehicle’s size and weight. The general guidelines for trucks are as follows:

• The transportation vehicle should be 40 feet long
• If there is a trailer attached, the total length should not exceed 65 feet
• The gross weight should not 20,000-20,500 per axle

Not following these guidelines increases the risk of accidents and injuries.

Hours of Service

On average, truck drivers work 60 hours a week which puts them at risk for drowsy and distracted driving. The hours of service law protects truckers from long hours and helps prevent accidents due to driver exhaustion. According to this law:

• Drivers can work up to 12 hours after a 10-hour rest period for intrastate trips and up to 14 consecutive hours after a 10-hour rest period for interstate trips. The hour limit is applicable regardless of whether the time is spent driving.
• Drivers must take a 30-minute break period within 8 hours of driving.
• Drivers cannot work more than 60/70 hours spread over 7 /8 days.

Health & Safety Risk

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), long-haul truck drivers face greater risk of developing the following conditions due to the constant fatigue and long hours of solitary work:

• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Diabetes

Safety Equipment

California law obliges all commercial vehicles to undergo regular inspection and ensure regular maintenance. Trucks must have a fully charged fire extinguisher and emergency reflectors in a visible location. The rest of the equipment needs to comply with the standards of the US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Piece Rate Compensation

Laws on piece rate compensation protect workers who receive piece rate payments from being exploited by their employers. These laws ensure truck drivers get paid for time spent in non-driving work, such as loading and unloading, work breaks, time spent in traffic, and vehicle preparation.

According to the California Labor Code, piece hourly pay rates should not fall under the minimum hourly wage. This means the hourly Alhambra, CA truck driver wage must be at least $14. The hourly rate is calculated by dividing the amount of the salary by the number of hours spent working, which should not exceed 60.

Alhambra, CA Truck Driver Wage and Injury Legal Representation

Truck Driver Rights is here to fight for the rights of truck drivers, to help them get the payment they deserve, and ensure they are safe and protected. We represent truckers in lawsuits related to wages, working hours, and work-related personal injuries.

With the help of our lawyers, you can solve all your legal problems, such as retrieving lost wages, receiving payment for the injury suffered, and regulating your work schedule. Our team is led by Joshua Haffner, a lawyer with over 20 years of experience defending truckers injured or wronged by their employer.

If you’re a trucker needing legal assistance, contact us for a free consultation.