Since you make your living driving, it is imperative you do all you can to protect yourself from being injured on the job. Whether you are driving a big rig on highways across the nation or are a delivery driver in your town or city, all it takes is one accident to find yourself out of work for months and facing thousands of dollars in medical bills. To keep this from occurring, here’s how you can protect yourself on the job.
Wear Your Seatbelt
While perhaps the simplest thing you can do to protect yourself on the job, wearing your seatbelt will also be one of the most effective methods of keeping you from being seriously injured or even killed. Should you be involved in an accident, your seatbelt will keep you safe and sound in your seat, instead of having you smashing against your vehicle’s windshield or being ejected from your vehicle.
Slow Down at Turns and Curves
When you are approaching a curve or preparing to make a turn, always try to slow down as much as possible. Especially important if you are driving a large truck, slowing down can keep you from striking or being struck by a car that is determined to get ahead of you. Should you do all you can and still find yourself involved in an accident, consult with a car accident lawyer regarding a possible lawsuit. This is especially important if you believe you are not at fault for the accident.
Don’t Drive Distracted
Even though your typical workday is very busy, don’t try to drive distracted by texting or talking on your cell phone. If you do, you are making yourself an accident waiting to happen. Should you need to send or reply to a text message or make a phone call, pull over in a safe area and take care of these tasks.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Long a problem for many commercial drivers, getting enough sleep is something that will go far in keeping you from being injured on the job. Should you drive a big rig and make deliveries across the U.S., you know all about being tired while behind the wheel, as well as the tight deadlines you often face for making deliveries to customers. Nevertheless, try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night, and don’t be afraid to pull over and take a quick nap if you find yourself about to nod off while behind the wheel.
Rather than find yourself fighting with insurance companies in an effort to gain compensation for medical bills and other damages, take these tips to heart and avoid being injured on the job.