Truck Driver Workers Comp Benefits & Settlement Calculator

Commercial truck drivers have a fatal injury rate 10x the national average. If you're an OTR driver, local delivery, or freight hauler, your workers comp claims tend to be more serious and more valuable than the average — accident-related injuries, back problems from loading, and long-haul health conditions all apply. Independent contractor drivers face additional complications that often require legal help to resolve.

Adam Noah - Workers' Comp Research Analyst

Adam Noah · Workers' Comp Research Analyst

Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy

About the author

Class Code

7228 / 7229

WC Insurance Rate

$4.50 per $100 of payroll

Risk Level

High

Example annual premium for truck driver with $50,000 annual payroll: $2,250 per employee. Varies by state, carrier, and experience modifier.

Calculate Your Truck Driver Workers Comp Benefits

Enter your state and weekly wage to see your estimated workers comp weekly benefit and total projected payout.

Step 1 of 2Your Situation

Your Situation

Tell us about your state and wages to calculate your benefits.

Optional — helps calculate your waiting period start date.

$/week

Your gross wages for the 13 weeks before injury, divided by 13. Include overtime, bonuses, and tips if they were regular.

Most Common Truck Driver Workplace Injuries

These are the injury patterns we see most frequently in truck driver workers comp claims, ranked by frequency. Click any injury type to see the dedicated settlement calculator for that specific injury.

Injury TypeAvg Settlement
Back Injury (Loading, Driving)$105,000
Neck / Whiplash (Accidents)$68,749
Shoulder (Loading, Chaining)$62,000
Head / TBI (Accidents)$140,000
Multiple Trauma (Major Accidents)$180,000
Slip & Fall (Entering/Exiting Cab)$48,000

Settlement averages from National Safety Council and state workers comp board data. Your specific settlement depends on severity, state, wage, and case specifics.

Key Facts for Truck Drivers

  • •Truck driver settlements average 30-50% higher than most occupations due to severity of injuries.
  • •OTR drivers can file in the state they were injured OR the state they're based in — pick the higher-paying one.
  • •DOT-mandated medical exams often uncover work-related conditions (hypertension, sleep apnea) that may be compensable.
  • •Owner-operators contracted to one carrier are often 'statutory employees' entitled to workers comp despite 1099 status.
  • •Third-party claims against the at-fault driver in accident cases are almost always available on top of workers comp.

Injured On the Job? Get a Free Case Review

A workers' comp attorney can review your claim, negotiate a higher settlement, and protect your job. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

Find a Workers' Comp Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions — Truck Driver

What is the average workers comp settlement for a truck driver?▾

Truck driver settlements run higher than most industries — back injuries average $105,000, accident-related claims reach $140,000-$180,000, and catastrophic cases exceed $500,000. Third-party liability claims often add six figures on top.

Am I covered if I'm an owner-operator?▾

It depends. If you're a genuine independent contractor running your own authority, you need occupational accident insurance separately. If you're leased to a carrier (operating under their MC number with their load assignments), most states treat you as a statutory employee entitled to workers comp.

Can I sue the driver who hit me on top of workers comp?▾

Yes. Workers comp covers you regardless of fault, but you can also file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Your workers comp carrier will have a subrogation lien on any recovery, but net proceeds are typically much higher than workers comp alone.

What if I get hurt loading at a shipper or receiver?▾

Workers comp still covers you regardless of where the injury occurred, as long as you're in the course of employment. You may also have a third-party claim against the shipper/receiver if unsafe conditions caused the injury (wet floors, improper forklift operation, etc.).

Workers Comp for Other Occupations

Construction Worker

Code 5403

Nurse (RN, LPN, CNA)

Code 8829

Warehouse Worker

Code 8292

Restaurant Worker

Code 9082 / 9083

Roofer

Code 5551

Manufacturing Worker

Code 2710 / 3632 / various

Retail Worker

Code 8017 / 8018

Healthcare Worker

Code 8832 / 8833

Office Worker

Code 8810

Electrician

Code 5190

Delivery Driver

Code 7380

Amazon Worker

Code 7380 / varies

Firefighter

Code 7710

Police Officer

Code 7720

Teacher

Code 8868

Gig Worker (Uber, DoorDash, Instacart)

Code varies

Disclaimer: Workers comp insurance rates are approximate national averages and vary significantly by state, insurer, and employer experience modifier. Settlement ranges are estimates based on NSC and state data. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for your specific situation. Last updated: April 2026.