The October long weekend is coming and with its arrival will come an influx of domestic drivers on the road. If you are a professional driver spending the majority of your time on the road, you would be aware that the risks of being involved in a motor vehicle accident greatly increase during long weekends and other holiday periods like Easter and Christmas.

The risks of suffering a workplace injury in the transport industry are high with the industry accounting for 8% of all serious workers compensation claims for the year 2006 to 2007. This may seem like a small percentage until you realise that the transport industry represents only 5% of the Australian workforce.

Professional drivers including truck drivers, bus drivers, taxi drivers and lorry drivers all have one thing in common: driving is their livelihood. By their very nature, these jobs require professional drivers to be on the road for the majority of their working life. If they are unable to drive because of a motor vehicle accident, they will be unable to work.

When a professional driver has a motor vehicle accident while working, they may not be aware that they are entitled to make a claim for workers compensation. In New South Wales, professional drivers injured in a motor vehicle accident may have an entitlement to receive weekly benefits, payment of their past and future medical expenses, and additional payments if they suffer a permanent impairment or to compensate them for pain and suffering. In addition if they are unable to work, they will receive weekly compensation payments and access to injury management and rehabilitation facilities to ensure an early return to the workplace and normal life as soon as possible.

In light of the high rate of fatalities suffered on the road within the transport industry, it is important that you and your loved ones are aware that dependents of professional drivers such as partners and family members may also be entitled to receive compensation. This compensation may be by way of a lump sum payment, weekly payments as well as payment of reasonable funeral expenses.

At Walker Legal, we act for professional drivers who have suffered an injury on the road to ensure that they receive their just entitlements to compensation for their injuries. We have offices in Surry Hills, Forestville, Manly and Canberra full of experienced workers compensation lawyers all with the common goal of getting our client’s "just results fast."

If you are a professional driver and have been injured in a motor vehicle accident Walker Legal Compensation Lawyers can advise you on your workers compensation claim on 1800 445 537.