Truck Driver Labor and Personal Injury Attorneys in Tacoma
The Port of Tacoma has turned Washington into a booming economic hub. It’s now one of the top container ports and a center for international trade in North America. Being one day closer to Asia than other ports in the country, its biggest marine operations include moving billion-dollar imports and exports and metric tons of crude oil.
The Seattle Metro Area also has a thriving intellectual workforce, compelling startups and big tech firms like Microsoft, Amazon, and Nintendo to take up residence here. In the South Sound, the export, technology, and construction boom are fueling its trucking industry. Thousands of truck drivers roll in and out of Tacoma, making sure their cargo reaches its destination on time.
While the growing logistics demand offers opportunities for truck drivers, it could also put them under unfair and unsafe work situations. This is where Truck Driver Rights steps in.
Aggressive Representation for Tacoma’s Truck Drivers
On top of having to drive for extended periods, the trucking profession can be mentally and emotionally demanding as well. As key players in the supply chain, it’s important to make sure that they receive fair compensation and treatment from their employers.
Our truck driver attorney in Tacoma Joshua Haffner will stand with you in all legal matters, including compensation and benefits, personal injury, insurance, and class action litigation. Our firm is committed to keeping the trucking industry responsive to the health and well-being of its workforce and compliant with state and federal regulations.
We follow a client-centered, results-driven approach to representation and litigation. We can handle cases of all scales and sizes, from individual personal injury claims to wage and hour class action lawsuits. We offer aggressive representation, guidance, and advocacy on a “no-win, no-fee” basis, which means that you will only pay our attorneys if they win.
Rest assured that we will strive to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Wage and Hour Class Actions
America’s truck drivers have a unique pay structure. While they enjoy better salaries than most, the pressure to meet deliveries on schedule could lead to overwork and fatigue. State and federal laws mandate that drivers should have 10-minute breaks every four hours on the road. But some drivers would skip breaks to meet an unreasonable quota or put in more mileage for extra pay.
In some cases, shipment companies tend to overlook the rules regarding the number of hours a driver needs to be on the road to meet targets. Many employers also violate the following wage and hour rules:
- Deny overtime pay for non-driving tasks, such as pre- or post-inspections, huddles, and training
- Deduct driver pay for minor accidents such as flat tires
- Deduct lease payments, insurance, and maintenance costs from your wages
- Refuse to negotiate your per-load rate
If you and your fellow drivers believe that you’re not given proper wages or overtime pay in line with the legislation, have been denied breaks or forced to work under precarious situations, we can help. We will defend your rights, whether it’s an individual claim or wage and hour class action lawsuit.
We are compassionate when addressing the plight of drivers, but aggressive when holding transport companies responsible for their disregard of the law. With our guidance, you and your coworkers can get heard and receive the settlement and wages you deserve.
Personal Injury Claims and Lawsuits
Most long-haul truck drivers can spend up to 14 hours driving in a day, skipping breaks or meals to meet the schedule. This goes against the Hours-of-Service regulation that an individual can only drive a maximum of 11 hours per shift over a 14-hour window.
On top of battling severe road conditions, truck drivers also need to ensure that their freight is in mint condition. This lifestyle is not ideal, which explains why most truck accidents involve a sleep-deprived or over-fatigued driver.
It’s the employer’s job to prevent these risks by adhering to wage and hour statutes and prioritizing the health and safety of their drivers. Yet many drivers are still unaware of their rights, such as their right to refuse to drive during inclement weather or the right to refuse a malfunctioning vehicle or equipment. These rules are designed to prevent work-related injuries or accidents.
If you get into a road accident because of your employer or dispatcher’s negligence, you can file for a personal injury claim.
We will assist you in navigating this complex area of the law and strive toward a favorable settlement. Having served truckers in Tacoma for decades, we can gather the necessary documents and evidence to build you a strong case.
Safety Violations
Other than these statutes, there are other employment-related laws that truck drivers are not aware of and employers overlook.
For example, if your contract grants you a certain number of days for home time and your dispatcher forces you to get back on the road before your home time ends, you may file a claim through the Equal Rights Opportunity.
If you need to go home for a doctor’s appointment or if all your family members are sick and your employer stills demands you to work after knowing about your situation, that’s a violation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Family Medical Leave Act. The Surface Transportation Assistance Act also gives you protection for these activities:
- Refusing to drive when impaired due to illness or fatigue
- Refusing to drive an unsafe or defective vehicle or one that exceeds highway weight restrictions
- Refusing to violate speed limits
- Making a complaint about such violations to the U.S. DOT
- Refusing to violate hours-of-service regulations and speed limits
- Refusing to falsify a logbook
Serving Washington’s Truck Drivers
The trucking workforce continues to be a critical cog in the state’s economy. In a 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, there are over 52,740 registered heavy and light truck drivers in Washington alone. We are here to make sure they are aware of their rights and that they can seek justice and compensation from employers that undermine their safety and wellbeing and deny them of their rights.
With Tacoma’s logistics industry facing increasing demand and a shortage of drivers, it’s critical for employers to be compliant with labor laws. Doing so not only attracts more people to pursue the trucking profession, but it also keeps our highways safe and drivers healthy and productive.
If you and your coworkers have been subject to these employment and safety violations, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We will inform you of your rights, understand your case, and explore every option possible to get results.
We work tirelessly and efficiently so you can get back on the road without your safety and well-being compromised.
Call Truck Drivers Rights today or complete the Free Consultation Form.
We look forward to hearing from you.