Work related road & HGV Accident Claims

Carrs solicitors bring a great deal of specialist experience to HGV accident claims. Work related road traffic accidents often involve liability arising from the condition and suitability of the vehicle, the way it has been loaded, unsafe systems of work and the inadequacy of risk assessments undertaken by managers. Representing the victims of such accidents requires an understanding of logistics and of the regulatory framework for the transport industry to include vehicle loading weight distribution and drivers hours in addition to the rules of the road. The average road traffic accident claims handler may not be alive to these issues or have any understanding of the road haulage industry.

In the UK there are an estimated 40,000 traffic accidents that are work related. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, work car, lorry and HGV accidents are the largest overall cause of occupational fatalities. The need for specialist representation is key to the success of transport industry accident cases. At Carrs Solicitor we bring over 20 years of experience in dealing with work related road traffic accidents to include catastrophic and fatal injury cases.

 

Making a HGV Accident claim

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the courts increasingly recognise the duties of commercial fleet operators to assess and manage the risks to which professional drivers are exposed out on the road. Employers frequently try to pass responsibility to the driver when anything goes wrong. The fact that drivers work remotely far from absolving fleet operators of responsibility is all the more reason for adequate support and appropriate assessment of risk and we have had success over the years in holding employers to account in many cases where the injured driver has initially been told they were 'on their own.'

The first step is to get in touch for free advice on the merits and evidence required in relation to a work related traffic accident case. We will arrange to visit you or take instructions remotely and will arrange for any medical expert appointments to be local to you. We will seek disclosure of relevant records such as risk assessments, run sheets, CCTV footage of loading operations, vehicle tracking data and tachograph records, inspection and maintenance records, photographs, engineering reports and police collision reports. We will analyse the records and prepare a detailed witness statement with you, instruct medical experts and press the insurers for a negotiated settlement while preparing the case for a potential trial. We appreciate that our clients work different shift patterns and we can be contacted throughout the claim during or out of office hours.

 

Employer’s Liability

Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure all work vehicles are in a safe, working condition and suitable in all respects that affect health and safety for the task. They also have a duty to institute and enforce safe working practices and will be liable where unsafe practices have been condoned- even where the driver is partly at fault.

Employers also have a duty to ensure that their employees are safe to drive at all times and that they are not brought under pressure to exceed their drivers hours or given unrealistic loading or delivery schedules and that safe working practice in terms of seat belt usage and regular training and refresher courses are given. Journeys must be correctly planned and risk assessed by the employer to take account of road and weather conditions and drivers should be supported when they use their professional judgement to pull up or refuse to go out whether conditions are unsafe. We have acquired very considerable experience at securing evidence of behaviours by employers that run against a culture of safety and of securing very substantial damages for employees who have suffered serious injury as a result. Drivers depend on their employers and colleagues to ensure they can operate safely when on the road. It requires a different approach and specialist knowledge on the part of the legal representative to ensure success in such cases.

 

How we can help

We bring over 20 years’ experience in acting for professional drivers in HGV Accident claims against third parties, employers, and those responsible for loading and operating any commercial vehicles. We offer solicitor representation, expertise, common sense and access to the best specialist counsel in representing professional drivers involved in road traffic accidents in the course of their work.

We act on a No win-No fee basis so there are no up-front payments and nothing to pay if the case fails we only seek a contribution towards the costs of the case from damages successfully recovered with the client keeping the majority of the damages so they are never out of pocket. We are able to offer special terms to trade union members and or persons covered by legal expenses insurance which we check out for all our clients whereby there would be no contribution to pay win or lose.

I would like to thank yourself and everyone at Carrs Solicitors for a very professional job. When I first had the accident I was advised to contact numerous high profile firms, my experience over the years has taught me that those who make the most noise normally fall short. But Carrs solicitors don't make a lot of noise, instead they work hard and diligently to get the right results as you have proven to me.
Thanks again

Contact Carrs Solicitors

We provide home visits, which can be arranged within 24 hours. Call us today to find out how we can help you on 01204 496898, or email us and we will promptly respond with a free assessment of your case.

At Carrs Solicitors, you will always have a senior solicitor who will personally handle every aspect of your personal injury claim and who will always be available to answer your questions. We are ready to listen and to offer free impartial advice in strict confidence.

No win, no fee, no obligation

We can come to you

Whilst we are based in Bolton, we are happy to travel nationwide. Arrange a home visit today.