Driving while sick with the coronavirus not only can put other people at risk of being infected, it could also potentially also put others on the road at risk of accidents, especially if the driver is fatigued, cognitively impaired from symptoms of the virus, or is taking cold medication that can further interfere with driving. Truck companies and truck drivers have a special responsibility to address these risks, because truck drivers are operating larger vehicles that could pose a greater risk to those on the road, and because truck drivers spend longer periods of time on the road. The Centers for Disease Control has issued recommendations for truck drivers and truck companies to follow during this era of COVID-19. Truck companies and their drivers have a special responsibility to the public, because mistakes made by their drivers while under the influence of cold medicine or while fatigued could potentially result in serious accidents. Not only might truck drivers come into contact with store owners and the general public, which can put drivers at greater risk of getting sick, drivers themselves sometimes have medical conditions that can make them vulnerable to the most severe symptoms of the coronavirus. Drivers have a responsibility to get rest, protect themselves and others, and stay off the road if they are sick.

However, sometimes truck companies might put their bottom lines over public safety. When drivers and companies do this, the people who might get hurt are innocent drivers on the road. If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident in Houma, Louisiana, you may have the right to seek damages from the truck company to cover your medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Doyle Law Firm is a truck accident law firm in Houma, Louisiana that may be able to help you seek damages for your losses.

What are the Centers for Disease Control Recommendations for Truck Companies and Drivers?

The Centers for Disease Control notes that COVID-19 can spread from person to person even when a person isn’t showing signs of infection. Truck drivers are most at risk of getting sick when in contact with truck stop workers, when making deliveries, when working with other truck drivers, and when engaging in business, like filling up your gas tank, buying food, or interacting with other people on the road.

Because of these heightened risks, truck companies should have plans in place for what to do if a driver gets sick behind the wheel. For example, if a driver gets sick, the CDC recommends that he or she stay home and notify his or her supervisor. But what happens if the driver gets sick on the road? Truck companies should have a plan in place for what to do and steps to take if a driver gets sick on the road. Drivers should be advised about where they can stop, where they can stay, and where they can go to seek medical care should this happen. If a driver is sick, he or she should follow the CDC’s self-isolation recommendations and stay home. Finally, there are steps on the job that drivers can take to prevent themselves from getting sick in the first place. Limiting contact with other people, wearing a mask, and speaking to supervisors and others over the phone, skype, or online can prevent the spread of disease. Finally, truck drivers should be warned about the risks of driving and taking certain kinds of cold medicines, which can interfere with driver safety.

Many truck companies are taking steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But, what happens if you have been hurt in an accident with a truck driver and the driver is sick? Victims of truck accidents may have the right to seek damages for their losses under the law. The truck accident lawyers in Houma, Louisiana at the Brad Doyle Law Firm may be able to assist you with your case if you’ve been hurt in a crash. Drivers and truck companies that ignore CDC recommendations at this time could face penalties and consequences if their actions resulted in other people on the road getting hurt.

Protect Your Rights After a Truck Accident

If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident in Houma, Louisiana, you may have the right to seek damages to cover your medical expenses and other losses. The Brad Doyle Law Firm is a truck accident law firm in Houma, Louisiana that may be able to help you. Have questions about your rights? Have questions about the next steps to take? Reach out to the Brad Doyle Law Firm in Houma, Louisiana today. Or connect with USAttorneys.com to get matched with the truck accident lawyer at the Brad Doyle Law Firm.