Atlanta Truckers’ Rights Attorneys
Fighting for Georgia truckers’ pay, safety, and job security
Trucking is part of the lifeblood of Atlanta and the rest of Georgia. Trucks help deliver the goods homeowners, businesses, and communities use to stay healthy, work, and play. While truck driving has many joys such as being on your own most of the day and seeing the state and country, there are many burdens involved with truck driving. Many drivers spend a lot of time on congested roads and at warehouses. Many truckers have to pay for their own gas, insurance, truck repair costs, and other expenses that reduce their take-home pay. Many trucks aren’t safe and need repairs.
According to the US Census, while truck drivers are less likely to be unemployed than other professions, they’re also less likely to have health insurance. Almost half of truck drivers work more than 40 hours in a week. More than 10 percent of truck drivers are veterans. At Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, our Atlanta truckers’ rights attorneys explain your rights and obligations such as how many hours you can drive before resting. We fight to obtain the full pay that you deserve including overtime pay if your position and duties entitle you to it. We file lawsuits against trucking companies who discriminate against truck drivers due to their veteran status, race, sex, and many other identity factors. We are the voice of truckers in court and before government agencies. We’re ready to fight for your truckers’ rights today.
This was my first time having to seek legal counsel on an employment issue so I was a bit nervous about the process. I was referred to Ed Buckley by a friend I respect and trust, and one that has over 20 years of experience in law. Mr. Buckley made the process much less intimidating for me. Many thanks to Mr. Buckley and team for helping me. I'd definitely hire them again. – Google review
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How can we help?
- What challenges do truck drivers face in Atlanta?
- How do your Atlanta employment attorneys fight for truck drivers?
- How does the Surface Transportation Assistance Act protect Georgia truck drivers?
- Do you handle workers’ compensation claims for truck drivers?
- Do you have a truckers’ rights attorney near me?
What challenges do truck drivers face in Atlanta?
The US Census states that the median age of trucks is 46 compared to 41 for other professions. In 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that tractor-trailer and heavy truck drivers earned $23,23 per hour and a little more than $48,000 per year.
CDLjobs.com states that:
- 90 percent of truck drivers are male.
- 37.9 million trucks are registered
- More than 97 percent of trucking companies operate 20 trucks or less
The good and bad news is that there is a shortage of truck drivers in the United States. In 2021, the number of American truck drivers is estimated to be 3.49 million. The good news is that there are more job opportunities for aspiring truck drivers. The bad news is that the shortage means that trucking companies and businesses that need timely deliveries are more likely to push current drivers to drive longer hours and take more risks.
Some of the many requirements and dangers of truck driving according to Atlanta’s truck driver labor laws are:
- Drivers of commercial trucks (most heavy trucks) require a commercial driver’s license.
- Drivers need to be trained how to use the specific type of truck they drive and on specific maneuvers such as backing out into traffic.
- Drivers need every dollar they deserve to help support themselves, their families, and to pay for the operation of the truck they drive.
- Trucks should be installed with the latest truck safety equipment including equipment that is required by federal and state laws.
According to Zippia.com, an employment resource, the region that is most in demand of truck drivers is Atlanta, GA.
How do your Atlanta employment attorneys fight for truck drivers?
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP’s team of trucking lawyers is on hand to help protect truck drivers and secure their rights whether they drive a rig, tractor-trailer, box truck, flatbed, or any other type of truck. We are the voice for truckers in the federal and state courts and before federal and state agencies.
There are discrimination laws such as Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act. that protect truck drivers from being fired, not being promoted, or other adverse employment consequences due to the truck driver’s race, sex, age, military status, and many other reasons. And, our trucking lawyers can evaluate whether you are entitled to overtime pay or whether you are exempt from overtime pay under The Fair Labor Standard Act’s Motor Carrier Exemption.
When trucking companies fail to put their employee’s safety first, engage in deceptive practices, enable taxic work environments, or commit acts of wage theft, we want to help.
Sexual harassment, assault, and the trucking industry
In 2022, The Center for Public Integrity published an exposé on sexual violence against female truckers employed by CRST. What their data showed, however, was that this was not an isolated incident: “More than 30 women learning to drive commercial trucks say they were sexually abused by their trainers or co-drivers in the past 18 years at companies that run apprenticeships with the U.S. Department of Labor.” Multiple women came forward saying they were raped; many said they were fired after reporting the abuse and assault.
Of course, driving a truck is not the only role within the trucking industry, which is largely comprised of men. New, good faith efforts are being made by the Department of Labor and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to help promote and keep women in trucking, and to reduce and eliminate sexual assault, sexual harassment, pay inequality, discrimination, and other serious violations of civil rights.
How does the Surface Transportation Assistance Act protect Atlanta truck drivers?
The Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) is one of the main tools for protecting truckers’ rights. The act guarantees that truck drivers and operators may not be punished for speaking up about safety concerns and onerous work requirements including demands that they drive in unsafe weather conditions or for longer hours than those allowed under the law.
Trucking is a heavily regulated industry, and regardless of whether you’re a long-haul driver or making local deliveries, the weight and size of your truck determines whether you’re covered by the STAA, whose provisions are in turn subject to enforcement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The STAA protects employes from wrongful discharge, discipline, or discrimination regarding pay, terms, or privileges of employment if:
- The employee has filed a complaint or started a proceeding relating to a commercial motor vehicle safety violation
- The employee refuses to operate the truck because the operation may violate US commercial truck laws or the employee is reasonably concerned about his/her safety
- The employee accurately reports the number of hours he/she has driven
- The employee cooperates with specific transportation agencies or local regulatory or law enforcement
For example, trucking employees should be protected from retaliation if they state that the truck is overweight or the truck needs a specific repair such as brakes or headlights before it’s safe to operate.
Retaliation includes suspension from work, termination, reduced pay, a demotion, or other disciplinary action. Part of the reason the STAA was enacted was to protect the driver and other vehicles on the road.
If you’ve been pressured to work hours in excess of federal standards or to drive a truck you don’t think is safe, Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP will fight to reinstate your job, obtain back pay, and obtain all available damages if your employer retaliates because you protected yourself and the driving public.
Do you handle workers’ compensation claims for truck drivers?
Truck driving is hard work. Truck accidents are a leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries. While many truck drivers suffer injuries if they’re in an accident, they may also be injured just by the wear and tear of driving every day, while loading and unloading trucks, slipping and falling, or for a host of other reasons. We can help you file a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia if you were injured in the course of your job duties.
Do you have a truckers’ rights attorney near me?
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP is located in Atlanta at 600 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 3900. Our Atlanta truckers’ rights attorneys conduct phone and video consultations by appointment, and proudly serve clients throughout Georgia, including those in Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, and Savannah.
We’ll answer all your questions, assert your rights, and fight to ensure your job is secure and you receive the compensation you deserve.
Call our Atlanta truckers’ rights attorneys today
You work hard for every mile you drive and for every way you help with each and every shipment. At Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, we represent truck drivers who suffer discrimination, don’t receive full pay including overtime pay, assert their legal rights including expressing safety concerns, or suffer workplace injuries. Our team moves quickly in federal court, state court, and before governmental agencies when employers disrespect their truck drivers. Our Atlanta trucker’s rights attorneys represent truck drivers throughout Georgia. To get started on your case, please call or contact us today