Truck Driver Personal Injury Attorneys in Inglewood, CA

Inglewood, California is a vibrant and thriving city with a diverse economy and strategic position in the transportation and logistics sector. The city is home to the iconic SoFi Stadium, a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue near the bustling Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

With its prime location, Inglewood is a crucial hub for moving goods and supplies, making truck drivers an integral part of the city’s economic growth. They are responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of products and materials, supporting various industries such as retail, manufacturing, construction, and more.

However, like many regions across the country, Inglewood faces a shortage of qualified truck drivers. This shortage disrupts operations in multiple industries, causing delays, increased costs, and limited availability of essential goods.

Addressing the truck driver shortage is crucial to maintaining the efficiency and productivity of Inglewood’s economy. Despite the importance of their role, truck drivers in Inglewood often encounter obstacles such as unfair working conditions, inadequate wages, and safety concerns.

In such situations, it becomes essential for truck drivers to have access to legal assistance from a reliable truck driver injury lawyers in Inglewood who can protect their rights and help them navigate potential injury claims.

Trucking Challenges in Inglewood

Inglewood is a thriving city where truck drivers play a critical role in keeping the wheels of commerce turning by transporting goods and materials to businesses across the region. Despite the importance of their work, the trucking industry often faces challenges in attracting new talent.

One common concern is inadequate wages. Many potential truck drivers are dissuaded by the notion that the compensation in the industry may not align with their financial expectations.

Another factor contributing to the hesitation is the demanding nature of the job. Long hours on the road, time away from home, and potential safety risks can deter individuals from pursuing a career as a truck driver.

Another crucial aspect that deserves attention is truck drivers’ mental and physical well-being. Extended periods on the road can lead to sedentary lifestyles, fatigue, and stress-related health issues.

At Truck Driver Rights, we understand the issues faced by truck drivers in the Inglewood area. Our experienced attorneys specialize in addressing wage disputes, unfair working conditions, and personal injuries related to truck driving.

Wage and Hour Issues

Low wages are a significant concern among truck drivers in Inglewood. Some drivers are compensated based on piece-rate systems, which may not adequately reflect the hours worked or additional tasks performed beyond driving.

The per-mile and per-load pay schemes don’t always account for hours devoted to jobs that aren’t included in piece-rate pay, which can disadvantage truckers. Drivers need to be informed of the piece-rate compensation law for this reason.

Piece-Rate Compensation Laws

According to the California Labor Code, piece-rate workers must receive compensation that doesn’t fall below the state’s minimum wage ($13 to $14 per hour as of August 2021) when divided by the number of hours worked.

For example, suppose a driver completes an eight-hour round-trip delivery. In that case, they should receive at least $104 to meet the minimum hourly wage requirement.

Additionally, truck drivers must know they’re entitled to separate compensation for non-piece-rate hours. These hours involve working on vehicle maintenance and repairs, mandatory training and meetings, loading and unloading, and travel delays brought on by bad weather.

Hours of Service Regulations

Truck drivers in Inglewood are protected by Hours of Service regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations include:

  • 30-Minute Driving Break: After eight hours of continuous driving, drivers must take a mandatory 30-minute break. They can utilize this time to complete on-duty duties other than driving, such as inspecting the car or getting gas.
  • Adverse Driving Conditions Provision: In the event of hazardous driving conditions, truckers may extend their 11-hour driving limit to two hours. These include car accidents and bad weather, such as persistent rain or snow.

Contact a truck driver attorney immediately to receive legal help if your employer is underpaying you or making you work unreasonable hours even though you raised the issue with them.

Health and Safety Risks

Truck drivers in Inglewood face various health and safety risks due to the nature of their work. Long hours of solitary driving and being on the road for extended periods can affect their physical and mental well-being. Some of the health risks truck drivers may experience include:

  • Fatigue and Overexertion: Spending long hours on the road can lead to fatigue and overexertion, which increase the risk of accidents.
  • Musculoskeletal Issues: Truck drivers often experience chronic body pain, particularly in the back, neck, and shoulders, due to extended periods of sitting and repetitive motions.
  • Mental Health Challenges: The isolation and stress of long-haul trucking can contribute to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
  • Cardiovascular Conditions: Sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary choices can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity among truck drivers.

Federal rules like the Surface Transportation Assistance Act give truckers certain rights to safeguard drivers from unsafe working conditions. These include the ability to:

  • Refuse to drive under adverse weather conditions that may compromise safety.
  • Refuse to drive while suffering from illness or fatigue that may impair driving abilities.
  • Refuse to operate an unchecked, overloaded, or faulty vehicle that may jeopardize road safety.
  • Refuse to violate Hours of Service regulations, ensuring that drivers have sufficient rest periods and avoid driver fatigue.
  • File a complaint against their employer with the Department of Transportation if they believe their rights have been violated.

Dependable Legal Assistance for Inglewood Truckers

If you are a truck driver in Inglewood, CA facing under-compensation, unsafe working conditions, or other labor violations, you must seek legal assistance promptly. Our truck driver injury lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of truck drivers.

We offer aggressive representation in mediations, lawsuits, and class actions to help you seek fair compensation, recover lost wages, and address legal issues related to commercial truck driving.

Our experienced lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case, assess labor violations, or discover negligence pertaining to injuries sustained while on the job. We understand the complexities of trucking industry regulations and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact Truck Driver Rights at 877-700-0009 or complete the free consultation form on our website to schedule a consultation with our dedicated legal team. Your well-being and rights as a truck driver matter to us, and we are here to provide the aggressive representation you need.

Protect your rights as an Inglewood truck driver. Contact Truck Driver Rights today.

Tap 877-700-0009 to call our office or complete Free Consultation to speak to a lawyer.