Lorry and HGV Accident Claim *

Lorry and HGV accident claims * are a common road accident claim * for people who drive for work. As these heavy goods vehicles (HGV) are some of the largest vehicles on the road they can lead to serious injury when involved in an accident.

If you have been in an accident involving a lorry * or other heavy goods vehicle there may a legal remedy to help you through this difficult time. These claims can be made by any party involved in a HGV accident * whether you were the driver or any other road user (depending on the cause of the accident). If you are unsure about whom to make your claim against, speaking to your solicitor will help to clarify the issue for you.

Common Injuries

• Fractures and Broken Bones
• Whiplash
• Head and Brain Injuries*
• Spinal Cord
• Neck and Back Injuries *
• Internal Damage

Causes

Who is responsible for the accident? 

The first step to making a claim * will always include determining who was responsible for the accident. For lorry and HGV accidents *, they would usually be:

• The driver – If the driver acts negligently while on the road, ignored any health and safety procedures/regulations that they must adhere to as a truck driver. Driver fatigue is a common cause of road accidents, in cases where a driver fails to stop and rest and attempts to fight fatigue, they may be held responsible for the accident.
• The employer – the employer/company running the HGVs may be held responsible for the accident in cases where they have failed to maintain the vehicle correctly and provided the driver with an unsafe vehicle for work.
• The driver and employer – Bother the driver and employer may be deemed at fault in certain circumstances where they both were deemed to neglect health and safety standards.

Other common causes of these accidents include:

• Tiredness or Illness – fighting fatigue and not stopping for a rest when needed.
• Tailgating – not leaving enough space between vehicles.
• A driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol – this can severely impair driving ability and reaction times.
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• The poor condition of the vehicle
• Weather Conditions
• High Winds
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Poorly loaded vehicles leading to items falling off lorry while in transit, causing accidents. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CASE

Making a claim can be a daunting prospect, taking a simple first step and telling our accident claims solicitors * about your case can help you get started. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this topic and for a confidential discussion please call 01 649 9900 or email ask@traceysolicitors.ie to tell us about your case and we will be in touch with you to discuss.

With over 30 years’ experience, Tracey Solicitors ensure not to overwhelm you with legal jargon and can provide you with legal advice and guidance with your best interest at heart, in a language that you can understand.