Workers’ Compensation for Commercial Truck Drivers in Arizona

Many of the country’s largest trucking companies are based in Arizona. Central Arizona Freight, ABF Freight, and even Northland Trucking Inc. employ hundreds or more residents who call Arizona home. If you or someone you love works as a commercial truck driver and were seriously injured while on the job, you may have the right to financial compensation. However, getting the insurance company to approve your claim for benefits may take more work than you expected. An experienced Phoenix work injury lawyer could simplify this process for you. If you hope to protect your right to financial support through your employer, it is important to understand your rights and your employer’s responsibilities.

Common Accidents and Injuries Truckers Face On the Job

Truck drivers may be at an increased risk of suffering serious injury or death while on the job. First and foremost, driving commercial trucks can be risky. These types of motor vehicles are far bigger and weigh more than standard motor vehicles. In the event of a collision, truckers may be more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain damage
• Amputation
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Broken and fractured bones

There is also the risk that comes with loading and unloading the big rig. Repetitive stress injuries, slip and fall accidents, back injuries, and exhaustion are common among truck drivers, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). No matter what type of job accident you were involved in, if your injuries occurred within the scope of your employment, you could be deserving of financial support while you recuperate and are temporarily unable to work.

Truck Drivers May Be Entitled to Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Arizona

According to the Industrial Commission of Arizona, any employer with one or more employees is required to carry Workers’ Compensation protection coverage. It does not matter whether you work on a full or part-time basis. If you are an employee of the company, you should be protected by workers’ compensation benefits. It should be noted that this coverage does not extend to independent contractors per Chapter 0139 – 562R.

Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits Truck Drivers Could Collect

Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider will be expected to pay for your workers’ comp benefits. Once your claim is approved, you should start receiving your benefits shortly thereafter. The most common Workers’ Compensation benefits awarded include:

• Wage replacement benefits – Generally, you can collect around 2/3 of your average weekly income in the form of disability benefits.
• Medical benefits – The insurance company should cover every single medical expense that relates to your work-related trucking injuries.
• Vocational rehabilitation benefits – If your injuries prevent you from being able to continue your work as a truck driver, the insurance company may cover the cost of job training or further education.
• Death benefits – If a loved one passes away from a work-related accident as a truck driver, their surviving family members may be entitled to disability benefits and coverage of the decedent’s funeral and burial expenses per XXX.

Your Arizona Workers’ Compensation Claim Could Be Denied

Despite the fact that your trucking company may be required to protect you with Workers’ Compensation protection coverage, that does not mean the insurance company will pay out on your claim without putting up a fight. You may be surprised to find your application denied or the insurance adjuster delaying the processing of your claim. Bad faith tactics like these should be taken seriously.

After reviewing the insurance company’s reasons for denying your claim, you may be able to get the insurer to overturn their denial by simply providing them with additional supporting evidence or correcting mistakes on your application. However, if they continue to deny the Workers’ Comp benefits you are entitled to, you may need to consider taking further legal action.