Back and neck injury
This article authored by Carla Steve pertains to Personal Injury Law in The UK which is vastly different from Accident Laws in Rhode Island. These are the opinions of Carla Steve. If injured in a RI Motor Vehicle Accident, Please contact East Providence RI Personal Injury Lawyer, David Slepkow 401-437-1100
Back injury and driving
Many accidents at work compensation cases involve workers who have developed back injuries while driving. These do not necessarily involve motor vehicle accidents – people who have to spend a long time in the same position are liable to experience back pain, while repetitive motions, uncomfortable weather and a lack of mobility can lead to back injuries.
Car manufacturers aware of risk
Car manufacturers are aware of this risk and have developed a range of technologies and tools that can reduce the likelihood of their customers developing back problems. Employers should also be aware of this danger and should perform risk assessments when staff have to complete long car journeys. This could see employees told to take breaks regularly, to ensure they do not feel overtired or to be seated comfortably. While staff have a duty to take care of their own well being, employers who do not allow their staff to fulfill this duty can find themselves liable in back injuries compensation claims.
So how can I reduce the likelihood of myself or my employees developing back injuries when on-the-road? Listed below are a few tips that you could use to achieve this goal.
1 – Take regular breaks to prevent Back injury
The Highway Code recommends that all drivers take a break of 15 minutes every two hours of driving. When drivers stop for a break, they should get out of the car, stretch, walk around and ensure they feel capable of continuing on their journey. Many people drink coffee or have a bite to eat, which gives them quick energy and allows them to continue on their journey.
Taking breaks does not only mean you can avoid back pain caused by driving by stretching and moving around, but it also means you are much less likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident. Experts believe tiredness can be as dangerous as drunkenness when people are behind the wheel, while falling asleep puts you at huge risk of causing a road traffic accident.
2 – Position the seat correctly | back injury
You ought to be sat with your bottom all the way back in the seat, using the back of the seat to support your spine and cushion your back. The back of the seat should be slightly tilted back, but only by between 95 and 110 degrees. Most people have it tilted back at a far greater angle, which encourages slouching and can lead to back pain. You can slightly adjust this angle during particularly long journeys so that you are not constantly stressing the same parts of your body.
You should be able to reach the pedals comfortably without straightening your knee but you should not be cramped. Shorter people may be able to buy pedal extensions from a dealership. Your knee should not be straight and your thighs should be as far apart as is comfortable. The headrest should be as close to your head as possible and should be at around eye height. You may suffer a whiplash injury if your headrest is too far away. If the headrest is too far away and you cannot get it close enough to you, you may have to adjust the tilt of the backrest.
3 – Position the steering wheel correctly
Many cars also allow drivers to alter the steering wheel’s position so it is comfortable, although this feature may not be available in older models. Your palms should be slightly lower than your shoulders when in the ’10-and-2′ position and your elbows should be slightly bent. Ideally, the steering hub should be around one foot away from the sternum.
Avoid motor vehicle accidents and back injuries claims
Having plenty of room to move around in and to drive comfortably should reduce the likelihood of you suffering back pain or having to make a back injuries compensation claim. And while accident at work solicitors frequently deal with employees who feel they were unable to adjust the car or to take breaks, or who feel the training they received from their employer was inadequate, people have a duty to take care of their own well being. Cars have plenty of features in them that can ensure drivers to not experience back pain, and motorways in the UK have service stations at regular intervals, so there is no excuse to drive for more than 2 hours without resting or to compel your employees to drive for this length of time without a break.
Not only will you avoid suffering back pain, but you will also significantly decrease your likelihood of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. However, if you have suffered a back injury while driving that wasn’t your fault or was due to another person’s negligence, you should speak to personal injury solicitors about claiming for compensation.
Author Bio:-
Carla Steve works alongside unions and health and safety representatives to drive down the number of back injuries compensation claims and accidents at work. She lives in Suffolk with two cats, and enjoys watching movies with her friends, strumming out songs on her acoustic guitar, and listening to classic rock or Radio 4.
Legal Notice per Rules of Professional Responsibility: The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers and attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer / attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other attorneys for principle responsibility.