Work Vehicle Accidents

Crashes that happen on the job

Delivery routes, service calls, trucking, rideshare and company-car errands all put workers on the road. A crash during work duties is a work injury. The most common injuries are to the neck and back, followed by the shoulder, knee and hand from bracing against the wheel or dash.

Symptoms worth getting examined

• Neck or back pain, even if it started a day or two after the crash
• Headaches, dizziness or trouble concentrating
• Pain, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg
• Shoulder, wrist or knee pain from bracing
• Stiffness that makes driving or sitting uncomfortable

What the first visit covers

• A history of the crash: direction of impact, seat position, what you felt and when
• A physical examination of the spine and any other injured area
• A treatment plan written for your injuries and the work you do
• A work status note describing what you can and cannot do while you recover, including driving
• Referrals for imaging or pain management when the provider finds they are needed

Treatment after a work crash

Crash injuries are treated the same progressive way as other work injuries: reduce pain, restore movement, rebuild the tolerance your job requires. Chiropractic care and physical therapy are the core of the plan. Driving tolerance is addressed directly, since it is usually what gets you back to the job.

Your work status note

For drivers, the note addresses driving time, lifting and loading, and getting in and out of the vehicle. It is updated at follow-up visits.