Personal Injury and Wage Lawyers for Truck Drivers in Torrance, CA

Torrance plays a key role in the movement of people and goods in the South Bay Region. Bordering the cities of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and other smaller communities, it is often a stopover or main route for residents, professionals, and long-haul trucking companies.

Thanks to Torrance’s unique location, mobility of goods has become instrumental to the city’s economic growth.

Torrance’s designated truck routes include the Principal Arterial−Hawthorne Boulevard−and most Major Arterials in the city. These roadways are specifically designed to accommodate heavy trucks that transport both raw materials and finished products.

With high commercial freight activity concentrated in the region, it’s unsurprising that Torrance is home to interstate fleet trucking companies of all sizes. As with any type of industry, many issues may arise for truckers when it comes to hours, benefits, wages, and even personal injury claims.

At Truck Driver Rights, we help truckers in Torrance understand their rights as workers and navigate various employment issues. Our attorneys specialize in work-related personal injuries, mismanagement lawsuits, and insurance and benefits claims.

Truckers get taken advantage of every day, but we are here to ensure their rights are protected. We help truckers file claims against parties who caused their injuries or employers who deny wages.

If you or someone you know has been treated unfairly or experienced an injury while on duty, contact us now and get the legal assistance you need.

Common issues faced by drivers

Trucking is one of the most dangerous jobs there is today. Truckers face various challenges on the job and are required to be on the road for hours regardless of the weather or economic and political climate.

Below are common issues that truck drivers may face throughout their career:

• Unfavorable contracts for independent operators
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Poor highway infrastructure
• Low hourly wages and benefits
• Long hours on the road (up to 14 hours on duty)
• Lack of training opportunities
• Extremely tight or strict schedules
• Exposure to reckless and negligent motorists, pollution, inclement weather, truck engine trouble, and other road risks.
• Employer’s neglect or refusal to comply with law-mandated driver’s rights

Safety and health risks

Apart from employment issues, truckers also have to deal with chronic fatigue, mental and physical stress, and long hours of solitary work.

Long-haul truck drivers may develop health problems because of their work environment. If they endure a medical condition that impairs their driving ability, they could lose their commercial driving license.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), long-haul truck drivers are at risk of developing conditions because of their work environment. Such health problems include:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Other health issues associated with fatigue, stress, smoking, and low physical activity

Oversight in vehicle maintenance and lack of driving refreshers and defensive driving training may also leave drivers vulnerable to accidents and injuries.

Truck drivers involved in accidents may also be left with brain trauma, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries that require extensive medical treatment. Such injuries will not only result in lost wages and costly medical bills, but may also leave truckers permanently impaired.

No matter how strictly you abide by traffic laws, there is no guarantee that motorists and other truckers will exercise the same caution on the road. When victims suffer from accidents caused by reckless drivers or negligent employers, they need to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Right to seek compensation

Truck drivers who sustained injuries while on duty may be qualified to file claims for the following:

• Workers’ compensation claim – Workers’ compensation is provided by an employer and covers lost wages and medical expenses. Truckers who are injured within the scope of employment may qualify for this benefit in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of their right to sue their employer for negligence.
• Personal injury claims – Since California is a pure comparative negligence state, all negligent parties in an accident will be held at fault and asked to pay for damages. If the victim is discovered to be partly at fault, the judge or insurance firm will deduct the amount of compensation based on their level of negligence.
• Claims against multiple parties – Victims in accidents caused by the negligence of more than one individual may receive damages from all offending parties.

Attempting to file a claim on your own can result in costly delays and missteps. While it’s possible to file a claim without an attorney, getting legal help can expedite the legal process and ensure your case is handled well.

Trucker’s rights at work

Worker’s rights are in place to prevent abuses by those in power, and every truck driver must be aware of these rights to ensure they are not violated.

California law mandates the following regulations:

• Hour Driving Window – Truckers may work for 11 consecutive hours, but only after being off-duty for 10 consecutive hours before.
• 30-Minute Breaks – Truck drivers are entitled to a 30-minute break after driving for eight straight hours.
• 11-Hour Driving Limit – Under the 14-Hour Driving Window rule, a truck driver may only drive for 11 out of those 14 hours while on duty. Once a driver has worked for 11 hours, he has to rest for 10 straight hours before returning to work.

Should your employer fail to comply with these rules, you are entitled to file a complaint against them. Our personal injury and wage attorneys have over twenty years of experience helping truck drivers in Torrance seek compensation when necessary. We represent truckers in mediations, lawsuits, and class actions. Rest assured that your case will be managed with utmost swiftness, precision, and efficiency.

Book a free consultation now and get aggressive representation in personal injury claims and wage- and HR-related disputes.