Truck Driver Labor and Personal Injury Attorneys in Redmond
Redmond, home to Microsoft and Nintendo of America, has humble roots. In the late 1800s, the Bicycle Capital of the Northwest enjoyed its abundance of forest cover and bodies of water providing jobs for the local fishermen and loggers. And as the demand for related goods and services rose, merchants also started populating the market.
However, the economic crisis in the 1920s prompted the closure of lumber mills. This forced loggers to seek alternative ways to earn, which gave rise to the agriculture sector in the city.
Now, Redmond is growing rapidly, thanks to the commercial boom in the ‘90s and the advent of more tech companies and retail shops. Along with the expansion, however, comes growing pains, such as traffic congestion and urban sprawl.
The trucking industry, in particular, feels the weight of these consequences. Heavy traffic worsens the already unfavorable working conditions of truck drivers, especially in terms of wages.
Wage and Hour Laws
Truck drivers operate under unique pay structures. The employer has the deciding power when it comes to their drivers’ wages, although there are laws that regulate how they should be compensated. Most companies pay truck drivers according to the number of miles they’ve driven or the amount or percentage of load they’ve delivered. The per-mile, per-load, and per-percentage-of-load systems aren’t illegal, but these don’t always reflect the compensation truck drivers deserve.
These structures don’t account for the hours the driver spends stuck in traffic, doing repairs and maintenance on the vehicle, waiting for deliveries, and taking breaks. These are technically still part of their jobs, yet they don’t get compensated for these.
From the drivers’ perspective, these hours are valuable time they can’t get back. So to make up for the lost time, they push themselves to meet deliveries and other requirements. They work extra-long hours, skip breaks, and maybe even overspeed to meet scheduled drop-offs and pick-ups.
The outdated pay plans not only deprive truck drivers of the compensation they deserve, but these also pose health and safety risks for truckers. Fortunately, the state of Washington has set legislations to prevent the mistreatment of truck drivers.
According to the Hours of Service regulation, truck drivers can only work a 14-hour shift if it follows 10 consecutive hours of off duty. Additionally, only 11 hours of that 14-hour duty should be spent on the road. The remaining three hours is dedicated to non-driving tasks, such as meetings, training, pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections, fleet huddles, and others.
The Hours of Service rule dictates that truck drivers must have paid 10-minute breaks every four hours. They’re entitled to a mandatory 30-minute break by the eighth hour of their duty. Moreover, employers can’t require truckers to work for five consecutive hours or more without a meal period.
As a general rule, truck drivers cannot work a total of 60 hours in seven consecutive days.
Employers who still follow the per-mile or per-piece pay system are obligated to provide separate pay for rest and meal breaks, overtime, non-driving duties, and other forms of compensation.
Employers who evade federal and state wage laws should be held responsible.
Our Redmond lawyers offer aggressive representation in wage and hour lawsuits. We will help you build a solid case, whether it’s an individual or a class action lawsuit. Since truck drivers are also exposed to hazardous conditions at work, our lawyers also offer guidance and representation in personal injury claims.
Work-Related Personal Injury Lawsuit
Under federal and state laws, freight and trucking companies must never compromise the health and safety of their drivers for any reason or circumstance. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states trucking remains as one of the most dangerous industries. Out of all occupations, semi-trailer and heavy truck drivers have the third highest rate of non-fatal injuries and illnesses.
Some of the common work-related injuries truck drivers sustain are bruises, fractures, cuts and lacerations, strains and sprains, soreness and pain, and multiple traumatic injuries. Even when they’re not on the road, truckers are still exposed to danger. For instance, increased wait times at loading docks boost truck crash rates. Some drivers may try to make up for the time they spent waiting by overspeeding, which raises their chance of causing an accident.
The tough work conditions and unfair pay systems force truck drivers to prioritize their jobs over their health. The fact that most commercial truck accidents are due to overfatigued or sleep-deprived drivers prove this point. This may be considered as negligence on the employer’s part.
For example, a fleet manager forces truckers to meet unrealistic deadlines and carry heavy workloads per day due to cost-cutting or driver shortage. The driver ends up falling asleep on the wheel and causes a collision that injures multiple parties. The employer may be held liable for the incident
Another example of an employer’s negligence is forcing truckers to drive despite severe weather or a faulty vehicle part. These unsafe conditions put the truck drivers, other motorists, and even pedestrians at risk, yet the dispatcher chooses to send the truckers on the road.
You can file for a personal injury claim if you get into a road accident because of your employer or fleet manager’s negligence. And our Redmond lawyers are here to help you.
We will guide you throughout the process and strengthen your claim so that you can receive a favorable settlement for your injuries.
Serving Redmond Truck Drivers
As Redmond continues to move on an upward trajectory, the supply chain will become heavily reliant on truck drivers. It is the responsibility of freight and trucking companies to comply with labor laws. Responsible companies attract more people to enter the trucking industry, keep the highways safe, and ensure that truck drivers are healthy and motivated to perform.
Despite being the prime movers of the country’s economy, the trucking workforce still does not get the rightful treatment and compensation they deserve. Truck Driver Rights is here to make sure that you are aware of your rights as a trucker. We empower you to seek justice from employers who undermine your well-being and safety.
If you or any of your coworkers have been subject to unfair wage systems or have sustained injuries while on the job, don’t be afraid to demand for your rights. Get in touch with us, and our team of lawyers at Redmond will strive to get you the settlement you deserve. We handle cases on work-related personal injuries and compensation rights violations, such as missed rest and meal breaks, working off the clock, and unpaid overtime.
Having worked with many truckers in the state, our knowledge and experience in handling such cases will give your case an edge.
Call Truck Driver Rights or complete the Free Consultation Form today.