Lorry and HGV Accidents

Lorry and HGV Accidents Compensation

Road traffic accidents and accidents at work can be serious enough, but when an accident involves a lorry crash, the severity can increase. The likelihood of serious or life-changing injuries may also increase when the accident involves an HGV or lorry crash.

Due to their size and weight, HGVs and lorries can be dangerous if they are not properly maintained. This also applies to drivers not having the correct or right level of training, driving carelessly, or the vehicle or driver not meeting the safety regulations.

Causes of lorry/HGV accidents

There are many causes of lorry and HGV accidents. We’ve outlined below the instances when lorry accidents are most likely.

Tired drivers can cause lorry accidents

Lorries are usually on the road for very long periods of time. If the driver does not take enough breaks, they can become tired, which, in turn, can affect their concentration and judgement, and result in a lorry crash.

There are regulations in place under EU Law which dictates how long HGV drivers can be on the road for without taking a break. These regulations state that drivers cannot drive for more than nine hours per day, and they must have a break of at least 11 hours between shifts. Drivers must also take breaks totalling at least 45 minutes after no more than 4 hours 30 minutes driving, to minimise the risk of lorry accidents.

Poor weather conditions can increase the risk of HGV accidents

Bad weather can cause dangerous conditions on roads, and increase the risk of HGV crashes. Rain, snow, and ice can cause unsafe road conditions, so HGV drivers must ensure they are extra careful when driving to ensure they and others on the road are kept safe.

Employers must make sure that drivers have correct training in adverse weather conditions before they can undertake any driving jobs.

Overtaking may result in a lorry crash

A major cause of accidents on the road is overtaking, or tailgating. This is especially important for HGVs and lorries, as they have a larger blind spot than cars or other vehicles. Drivers of HGVs need to ensure they keep a safe distance between themselves and other vehicles so as not to have a lorry accident.

Lorry accidents at work

Your employer is responsible for ensuring that you are kept safe during working hours. They need to make sure that your vehicles are kept well-maintained and safe, and that you have the correct training to be able to drive your vehicle safely.

If you have received inadequate or incorrect training, or if your vehicles were faulty or poorly maintained and you have had an accident at work, we may be able to help you make a claim for lorry accident compensation.

Road traffic accidents involving lorries/HGVs

You may be able to claim if you have had a road traffic accident involving a lorry or HGV, especially if the accident was not your fault. You may be able to claim if you were involved in a lorry crash, whether you were driving the lorry/HGV or if the lorry/HGV hit your vehicle.

International lorry/HGV accidents

There is a system in place which protects road users who have been in an HGV accident with an international lorry. To be able to drive in the UK, the driver must have a green card to prove that they have the correct insurance. These details can be important when claiming following a lorry accident, so it is best to try and get them if you can.

Claiming against a lorry/HGV driver

Drivers of lorries and HGVs must have the correct license to be able to operate them legally; if the drivers do not receive the correct training, or if they are not following the safety rules, they are more likely to cause a lorry crash or accident.

If you are involved in a lorry accident whereby an HGV crashes into you, your risk of serious injury increases. You should always try and get the details of the lorry driver, and both the registration of the cab and the trailer, as these can often be different.

If you have had a lorry or HGV accident and the driver of the lorry/HGV was at fault, we may be able to help you.

How we can help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who are experts in their fields, and deal with HGV/lorry accidents every day. Contact us today by filling in our contact form or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable agents.