August 15, 2023 | Workers' compensation

Being a semi-truck driver exposes you to many risks of injury. These go beyond the risk of being injured in a truck accident. Semi-truck drivers can be injured while carrying out various other work related tasks such as loading and unloading the truck. They can therefore suffer a wide range of injuries. Neck injuries are one of the most common types of injuries that semi-truck drivers suffer. Below, we discuss the most common types of neck injuries that semi-truck drivers suffer.

1. Whiplash

Whiplash is a type of neck strain. It is one of the most common types of injuries suffered in vehicle collisions. The injury typically occurs when the neck is snapped back and forth with great force due to the force of the impact. This sudden back and forth movement can result in damage to the bone structures in the neck. It can also result in tears in the soft tissues of the neck. This can cause chronic pain and inflammation.

Whiplash can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to heal. The challenge with this injury is that it often isn’t apparent until a few hours or even days after the actual accident. It can therefore prove a challenge to show that it was caused by the accident.

2. Cervical sprain/strain

This is an injury that occurs as a result of overstretching or overusing the muscles in the neck. The muscles or ligaments become strained or are sprained. Semi-truck drivers can suffer these types of injuries as a result of sudden movements such as in the case of lifting a heavy object or in a traumatic accident. These injuries can also occur as a result of the repetitive movements such as unloading or loading heavy items.

Cervical sprains or strains can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to heal. They can be extremely painful and cause the driver not to be able to return to work for a period of time. Workers compensation can provide such a drier with a financial cushion during this period.

3. Herniated disc

Drivers sit in their semi-trucks for prolonged periods at a time. During these periods, they are exposed to constant vibrations caused by the movement of the truck. This constant jarring can contribute to the degeneration of the cervical spinal discs. This will in turn result in the herniation of the discs in the cervical spine. Herniation occurs when the soft inner core of the spinal disc pushes through the outer layer. This causes compression on nerves in the cervical spine area. Semi-truck drivers with herniation of the cervical spine may experience chronic pain, tingling or even numbness in the shoulders and down the arms to the fingertips.

4. Muscle strains

Repetitive movements such as loading and unloading heavy items as well as prolonged sitting can result in muscle strains. Semi-truck drivers often suffer muscle strains that affect the neck and shoulders. The severity of the muscle strains drivers suffer vary. Strains can also be the result of sudden movements. For example, forceful jerking or a traumatic injury during an accident can cause these injuries.

Muscle strains can be extremely painful. They can also render the semi-truck driver immobile for some time. Drivers may therefore have to take off work for some period.

5. Degenerative disc disease

This is a degenerative condition that occurs as a result of repeated movement as well as the constant jarring of the body while driving on uneven surfaces. The impact on cervical vertebrae results in wear and tear on the bones. The vertebrae begin to degenerate. This can lead to pain and numbness as the nerves are compressed. It can also result in the loss of flexibility of the neck. Turning your head can result in extreme pain.

6. Cervical radiculopathy

This is a condition that occurs when a nerve in the neck is irritated or compressed. This often results from the herniation of the disc or the occurrence of bone spurs. It can result in pain, numbness and weakness radiating down the arm.

Consult with an Experienced Workman’s Compensation Attorney

If you’re a semi-truck driver that has been injured while carrying out work related tasks, you can seek compensation for your injuries through a workers compensation claim. While there is no requirement in the law to have legal representation for this, we strongly advise you to seek the guidance of an experienced and skilled workers comp attorney.

Having the representation of an attorney can take the stress of pursuing workers comp off your shoulders. Your attorney will represent you throughout the process. They have a better understanding of the law and what just compensation ought to be in your case. Hiring an attorney will greatly improve the outcome of your case.

Contact us to schedule free consultation.

Semi-truck Drivers and Neck Injuries