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HGV accident compensation claims are a type of legal action brought by individuals who have been injured through the negligent actions of another road user or their employer. Whether you suffered crushing injuries in a collision caused by a fatigued HGV driver or sustained spinal trauma due to a motorist’s unsafe overtaking, Advice is ready to provide the expert legal support you deserve.
We recognise that collisions involving lorries or heavy goods vehicles often have catastrophic, life-altering consequences. At Advice, our solicitors have extensive experience in these types of cases, and use their expertise to help clients build strong cases by obtaining tachograph data and maintenance logs from the responsible haulage firm. Your recovery will always be our priority, and we are committed to helping you pursue a settlement that supports your long-term needs.
Our dedicated team of advisors is available to answer any questions you have and to evaluate whether you have grounds to seek compensation. They can then connect you with one of our expert solicitors experienced in handling road traffic accident claims. Use the details below to get started today:
- Call us on 0161 509 2856
- Contact us by completing our online form
- Use our free live chat function
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Jump To A Section
- What Are Lorry Accident Compensation Claims?
- Can I Claim Compensation After An HGV Or Lorry Accident?
- How Can I Make A Claim For Fatal HGV Or Lorry Accidents And Injuries
- Common Examples Of Lorry And HGV Accident Compensation Claims
- What Injuries Might Be Sustained In An HGV Or Lorry Accident?
- How Much Lorry Or HGV Accident Compensation Can I Claim?
- What Other Damages Can HGV Or Lorry Accident Claims Compensate For?
- How Are Lorry And HGV Accident Compensation Amounts Calculated?
- How Can I Bring A Claim For Injuries Caused By A Lorry Or HGV Accident?
- Lorry And HGV Accident Compensation Claims With Advice
- More Information
What Are Lorry Accident Compensation Claims?
Lorry accident claims are a type of personal injury claim that can be made for injuries caused by the negligent actions of an HGV driver, another road user, or an employer. These claims can compensate you for the physical and psychological impact of your injuries, as well as any financial losses associated with the harm.
To find out more about lorry or HGV accident compensation claims, get in touch with one of our dedicated advisors.
Can I Claim Compensation After An HGV Or Lorry Accident?
Yes, you can claim compensation after an HGV or lorry accident if you can show that your employer or another road user negligently caused your injuries. The eligibility criteria for HGV accident compensation claims are detailed below:
- You Were Owed a Duty of Care: A duty of care exists when an individual, business, or organisation is required to take practical measures to ensure the safety of another person. Lorry drivers and other road users, for example, must travel safely, avoid causing harm, and follow the rules and regulations set out in The Highway Code and Road Traffic Act 1988. Employers, meanwhile, must take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of their staff, per the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This includes haulage companies making sure HGVs are roadworthy and drivers are properly certified.
- That Duty of Care Was Breached: A breach occurs when a road user or an employer fails to fulfil their legal obligations. Breaches can include HGV drivers going above the daily driving limit, motorists failing to maintain a safe distance from a lorry, or transport companies neglecting to carry out regular fleet inspections.
- You Suffered an Injury: If you can prove that the injuries you sustained in an HGV or lorry accident were caused by this breach, you may be eligible to make a claim. Due to the size of HGVs, collisions can result in life-changing physical or psychological harm, including spinal trauma and brain damage.
What If I Was Injured Whilst Working As A Lorry Or HGV Driver?
If you were injured whilst working as a lorry or HGV driver, you may be able to pursue a claim if you suffered harm because of the negligent actions of your employer or a fellow road user. For example, you may have sustained whiplash in a collision caused by a driver speeding through a junction. Here, the other road user may be held liable for your injuries.
Alternatively, your employer may have ignored a defect with your lorry’s braking system, resulting in an accident that left you with multiple injuries. In this scenario, the haulage firm may be at fault for failing to repair the vehicle or remove it from service.
Can I Make An HGV Accident Compensation Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One?
Yes, you can make an HGV accident compensation claim on behalf of a loved one if they cannot take legal action for themselves because they are under the age of 18 or have limited mental capacity. In such instances, you can be appointed as their litigation friend. This requires you to represent their best interests throughout the legal process.
To find out whether you may meet the eligibility criteria that apply to HGV accident compensation claims, get in touch with an advisor on our team today.
How Can I Make A Claim For Fatal HGV Or Lorry Accidents And Injuries?
You can make a claim for fatal HGV or lorry accidents and injuries by acting as the personal representative of the deceased’s estate or by qualifying as a dependant. In the first 6 months, the deceased’s estate may seek compensation for pain, suffering, and financial losses experienced up to the time of death.
During this period, the estate is the only party that can take legal action, and it can also pursue a dependency claim on behalf of eligible relatives. If the estate does not pursue a dependency claim by the end of this timeframe, spouses and other qualifying family members can then seek compensation for the impact of losing a loved one in a road traffic accident.
You can find out more about how to make a fatal accident claim with our dedicated guide. Alternatively, you can call one of our supportive advisors for advice and guidance during this difficult time.
Common Examples Of Lorry And HGV Accident Compensation Claims
Lorry and HGV accident compensation claims can arise from employer negligence or road collisions caused by speeding, dangerous overtaking, or driver fatigue. Some scenarios that may result in a potentially valid claim are given below.
Accidents At Work
HGV and lorry drivers can suffer serious injuries in accidents at work if their employer fails to ensure they are properly trained, neglects fleet maintenance, or ignores disrepair in loading bays. For example:
- You suffer a herniated disc when unloading freight due to your employer’s failure to provide you with suitable lifting equipment.
Accidents Caused By HGV Drivers
HGVs and lorries are extremely complex vehicles to operate, and even minor mistakes can lead to serious accidents. Drivers may be at fault for an injury sustained in a road traffic accident if they fail to check blind spots, speed through junctions, or do not keep a safe distance from other motorists. A claim may arise in a scenario like the following:
- While you are waiting at a red light, you are rear-ended by a lorry whose fatigued driver has exceeded the daily driving limit. The impact of the collision leaves you with multiple fractures, broken ribs, and long-lasting anxiety.
Accidents Caused By Other Road Users
Haulage drivers can also suffer injuries caused by the negligent actions of motorists, cyclists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians. For instance:
- A driver is under the influence of alcohol and loses control of their car, hitting the side of your HGV. The impact causes your vehicle to overturn, leading to spinal trauma and the traumatic amputation of your left leg.
For more examples of HGV accident compensation claims and to find out whether you have grounds to bring your own claim, get in touch with an advisor today.
What Injuries Might Be Sustained In An HGV Or Lorry Accident?
The injuries that might be sustained in an HGV or lorry accident can vary from minor whiplash to complete paralysis. Due to the mass and weight of heavy goods vehicles, collisions often result in multiple severe injuries, including:
- Neck and back injuries, such as nerve damage in the brachial plexus
- Psychological trauma, ranging from travel anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Broken bones, fractures, and dental trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Dislocations, particularly to the shoulder
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue damage, including complex ligament or tendon ruptures
To discuss the other injuries that can be compensated for in HGV accident compensation claims, get in touch with one of our friendly advisors.
How Much Lorry Or HGV Accident Compensation Can I Claim?
The amount of lorry or HGV accident compensation you can claim will depend on the severity and long-term impact of your injuries, and how they affect your finances. If your claim is successful, general damages will be awarded to compensate you for the physical and psychological effects of your injury. This head of claim may be calculated by your solicitor referring to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which is a publication that gives suggestions of compensation brackets for different types of injuries.
You can find several of the JCG’s brackets below, but it is important that you read them as guidelines, not guarantees. The details of each individual claim are unique, and this will be reflected in any settlement that you are awarded. Please also note that the lead figure was not taken from the JCG. The final two figures are from the fixed tariff introduced by the Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which we will explain shortly.
JCG Examples
- Multiple severe injuries where there are significant special damages, such as care costs, private medical expenses and loss of earnings (up to £1,000,000+)
- Tetraplegia – The top end of bracket will include cases where physical pain is present, and there is a significant effect on the injured person’s ability to communicate (£428,850 – £533,720)
- Paralysis of shorter durations – Death occurs for unrelated reasons within a short period of the accident (£65,180)
- Very severe brain or head injury – May be some ability to follow basic commands, but there is little or no language function (£372,570 – £533,720)
- Moderate (i) Head or brain injury – moderate to severe intellectual deficit and an effect on senses (£198,320 – £289,420)
- Chest injury (b) – Traumatic injury to chest and/or heart causing permanent damage and impairment of function (£86,860 – £133,000)
- Severe (ii) back injury – Involving nerve root damage, impaired mobility and impaired bowel function (£97,980 – £116,820)
- Bowels (d) – Severe abdominal injury causing impairment of function (£58,910 – £92,130)
- Severe (iii) neck injury – Fractures or dislocations or severe damage to soft tissues (£60,080 – £73,970)
- Moderate (i) pelvis and hip injury – Any permanent disability will not be major, and the future risk is not great (£35,130 – £51,750)
- Whiplash with minor psychological damage – Symptoms will last between 18-24 months – (£4,975)
- Whiplash – Symptoms lasting 18-24 months without the presence of psychological harm – (£4,830)
To find out how general damages might be valued in your HGV accident claim, contact Advice today.
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What Other Damages Can HGV Or Lorry Accident Claims Compensate For?
HGV or lorry accident claims can also compensate claimants for special damages if they have incurred financial losses because of their injuries. Some examples of costs are given below:
- Loss of income: This includes bonuses and overtime. If a broken back or other injury prevents you from returning to haulage work, you may also be compensated for reductions in future earning capacity.
- Care: If you have suffered a catastrophic injury or been paralysed, requiring constant support from professional carers or unpaid assistance from loved ones to help with daily tasks.
- Rehabilitation: Covering occupational therapy or physiotherapy if the HGV accident has left you with a physical or cognitive disability.
- Therapy: To treat travel anxiety or PTSD that developed following your lorry accident.
- Travel: For relying on public transport to medical appointments, if multiple fractures to your arms and legs have left you unable to drive following the collision.
You will need evidence to support a claim for special damages. This typically includes payslips, receipts for purchases, and invoices documenting medical or rehabilitative care.
Whiplash Reforms
The Whiplash Reform Programme changed the way that specific low-value claims are made in England and Wales. These reforms, introduced by the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021, established a fixed tariff of compensation for whiplash injuries. Therefore, if you sustained whiplash and the following criteria apply, your injury will be valued in line with the tariff:
- You were a driver or passenger in a lorry, HGV, or other vehicle.
- You were at least 18 at the time of the incident.
- Your injuries are valued at no more than £5,000.
These reforms also apply to cases involving minor soft-tissue damage, such as bruises or muscle sprains. However, collisions with HGVs or lorries often result in multiple, severe injuries. Therefore, if the value of this harm exceeds the £5,000 threshold, your claim will be assessed in line with the brackets found in the JCG.
For more information on special damages or how the whiplash reforms apply in HGV accident compensation claims, call one of our friendly advisors today.
How Are Lorry And HGV Accident Compensation Amounts Calculated?
Lorry and HGV accident compensation amounts are calculated based on the severity of your injuries, the prognosis, and whether you have incurred financial losses. In particular, settlements may be influenced by:
- Prognosis and severity: Your claim will take into account whether the HGV collision has led to a long-term disability, paralysis, or the amputation of a limb.
- The impact on quality of life: For instance, a payout would consider how paraplegia affects your independence and mental health.
- Split liability: Applies if you share blame with another road user for the lorry accident. In this case, your compensation would be adjusted to reflect the level of your responsibility for the collision.
- Contributory negligence: Occurs if your actions are partly to blame for the severity of the injuries sustained in the accident, such as failing to wear a seatbelt. Your compensation would be reduced to reflect the degree to which you contributed to your injuries.
To find out what other factors are considered in HGV accident compensation claims, contact an advisor today.
How Can I Bring A Claim For Injuries Caused By A Lorry Or HGV Accident?
To bring a claim for injuries caused by a lorry or HGV accident, you will need to gather evidence that proves the fault of the third party. The following steps can help you build a strong claim:
Get Medical Help As Soon As Possible
Collisions involving HGVs or lorries can result in catastrophic injuries, so your first priority should be to seek immediate medical attention. This will give you the best chance at getting the treatment you need. While your health is the paramount concern, doing so also creates an updated medical record that can be used as evidence in your claim.
Secure Information And Evidence About The Incident
If it is safe to do so, exchange names, addresses, insurance details, and vehicle registrations with all involved drivers. You can also use dashcam footage and take photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, and the position of the HGV or lorry. At Advice, we can help you obtain further evidence by requesting telematics (black box) data or maintenance records from the transport company.
Make An Official Record Of The Accident
Contact your insurance company and the police to create an official, formal record of the collision. This creates a paper trail of what happened and can serve as valuable evidence in an HGV-related road traffic accident claim.
Keep Ongoing Notes About Your Injury And Losses
Lorry accidents can cause both minor and major injuries, and symptoms may take time to develop. So, each day following the incident, track your pain levels and any impact on your mobility, mental health, and independence. You should also take note of your financial losses, such as payments for physiotherapy or counselling to manage travel-related anxiety.
Get Advice From A Personal Injury Specialist
Seeking legal advice as early as possible can provide you with expert guidance. At Advice, our expert solicitors have extensive experience supporting claimants who have been injured at work or on the road. We can help you establish who is responsible for your injuries and take an active role in gathering the evidence needed to strengthen your claim.
Check You Are Within The Legal Time Limit
You will have 3 years from the date of your accident to begin your claim as stated in the Limitation Act 1980. There are a few exceptions to this deadline, which are discussed in our personal injury claim time limit guide.
For more guidance on the process of making an HGV accident compensation claim, get in touch with a helpful advisor on our team today.
Lorry And HGV Accident Compensation Claims With Advice
Advice has a proven track record of achieving success for clients, and uses this extensive experience to provide expert guidance throughout the lorry and HGV accident compensation claims process. Our services and the No Win No Fee arrangement offered by our solicitors are discussed further below.
Why Choose Advice’s Solicitors To Claim After A Lorry Accident
Advice’s solicitors possess decades of experience in handling HGV accident compensation claims. They understand the regulations governing the haulage sector and know what is required to secure a successful outcome for our clients. We will:
- Maintain professional communications with the legal representatives of the other road user or the transport company.
- Arrange an independent medical assessment with orthopaedic and neurological experts to evaluate the full extent of the lorry collision on your wellbeing.
- Assist you in obtaining supportive evidence, such as dashcam or CCTV footage, maintenance logs from the haulage firm, and information from the HGV’s electronic data recorder (EDR).
- Contact motorists or colleagues to gather supportive eyewitness statements for your lorry accident claim.
- Provide answers to any of your questions about the legal process or haulage regulations, and keep you updated on the progress of your case.
To find out more about the services that our solicitors have to offer, call one of our advisors today.
No Win No Fee HGV Accident Compensation Claims
You can make HGV or lorry accident compensation on a strictly No Win No Fee basis with our solicitors at Advice. We offer a No Win No Fee arrangement under the specific terms of a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means that:
- You don’t have to make upfront payments to your solicitor for their services before making your claim.
- There are no ongoing service fee charges during the claims process.
- You make no payments for the work of your solicitor if compensation is awarded.
At Advice, our solicitors receive a success fee when a claim goes in favour of the client. This is deducted as a legally capped percentage of the compensation, meaning claimants can have confidence from the outset that the largest share goes to them.
Get in Touch With Advice To Claim For An HGV Accident
You can speak with a solicitor to start the HGV accident compensation claims process by contacting Advice today. Use the details below to get in touch:
- Call us on 0161 509 2856
- Contact us by filling out our online form
- Use our free live chat function
More Information
Further information that could help you with your lorry accident claim can be found below:
- Get guidance on claiming after a delivery driver accident at work.
- Read about the steps involved in making a work van accident claim.
- Explore the road traffic accident claims process.
External links:
- Find more information about road safety from the police.
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance about lorries in the workplace and the precautions that should be taken
- Advice on when to call 999 from the NHS.
Thank you for reading our guide on HGV accident compensation claims, and please contact us for further advice.
