Georgia Transportation Workers Injury Attorney

Overexertion and Musculoskeletal Injuries

A huge portion of transportation injuries come from lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and working in awkward positions. Truck and delivery drivers regularly handle freight, packages, dollies, pallets, straps, and liftgates. Cargo handlers and ramp agents move luggage, cargo containers, and equipment under time pressure, often in cramped spaces or awkward positions.

This commonly leads to lower back strains, shoulder injuries (including rotator cuff problems), neck strain, hernias, and knee injuries. Even prolonged sitting and constant vibration can contribute to back and hip pain. A common pattern is a sudden injury during what should be a routine task—yanking on a stuck door, pulling a pallet jack over a threshold, or pushing a heavy cart that catches on uneven pavement.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Falls in transportation usually aren't dramatic plunges from heights, but they're extremely common and can cause serious damage. Drivers climb in and out of cabs dozens of times a day—missed steps, wet shoes, icy footholds, and poor lighting lead to broken ankles, knee injuries, wrist fractures from trying to catch yourself, and back injuries.

Delivery drivers and cargo handlers constantly walk on ramps, loading docks, and warehouse floors where surfaces might be slick from rain, oil, or debris. Bus drivers have their own fall patterns: slipping on depot steps, tripping in parking lots, or falling in terminals.

Motor Vehicle Crashes and Sudden-Stop Trauma

For drivers, one of the most serious injury categories involves roadway incidents: collisions, rollovers, jackknifes, rear-end crashes, and running off the road. Workers' comp claims from these accidents can include whiplash, concussions, broken bones, internal injuries, and PTSD-like symptoms after traumatic events.

Even without an actual crash, "sudden stop" injuries are common—especially with buses—when a driver slams on the brakes to avoid a collision and gets jolted, or thrown against the seat belt or steering wheel. These incidents often lead to claims involving both physical strain and psychological stress.

Struck-By and Caught-Between Injuries

Transportation involves busy, high-risk work zones: loading docks, freight terminals, warehouse floors, maintenance bays, and airport ramps. Workers can get struck by moving vehicles (yard tractors, forklifts, tugs), swinging trailer doors, shifting loads, or falling cargo.

Caught-between injuries frequently involve hands and fingers: pinches from latches, crushed fingers in doors, injuries from coupling and uncoupling trailers. These claims often mean fractures, tendon damage, nerve injuries, and extended time off work because grip strength and hand dexterity are essential for these jobs.

Repetitive Trauma from Vibration and Sustained Postures

Long hours of driving expose workers to whole-body vibration and staying in the same position for extended periods, which can aggravate back problems and create chronic neck and shoulder complaints.

Repetitive tasks—scanning packages, gripping the steering wheel for hours, pulling straps, cranking dollies, operating hand tools—contribute to cumulative trauma like tendonitis in the elbow and forearm, shoulder impingement, and wrist and hand symptoms. Mechanics frequently develop repetitive strain injuries from constant tool use, torquing, and working in awkward positions under vehicles.

Maintenance and Repair Injuries

Maintenance mechanics face a concentrated set of hazards: cuts, burns, chemical exposures, eye injuries, and crush injuries. Working around pressurized systems, hot components, moving belts, and rotating equipment increases the risk. Common claims involve hand injuries (cuts, punctures, crushing), shoulder and back strains from lifting parts or tires, and eye injuries from flying debris or chemical splashes.

Environmental Exposures

Many transportation workers work outside in extreme temperatures. Heat stress, dehydration, and cold-related numbness can cause dizziness, reduced dexterity, and secondary injuries like falls. Diesel exhaust, brake dust, cleaning chemicals, and de-icing fluids lead to respiratory irritation and skin problems. Noise exposure can contribute to hearing issues or tinnitus complaints.

Workplace Violence and Public Interaction

Some transportation jobs involve significant public contact. Bus drivers can face confrontations, assaults, spitting, and injuries during disputes, with claims ranging from bruises and sprains to psychological trauma. Delivery drivers may face robbery attempts, dog bites, and confrontations at delivery locations. These incidents often produce both physical injuries and significant stress symptoms.