Can I Claim For A Lorry Or HGV Accident?
Accidents involving large commercial vehicles can be life-changing. Whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist, car driver or lorry driver, if you’ve been hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible to begin the lorry accident claims process. These incidents can cause serious injuries, financial hardship, and lasting emotional trauma. But you don’t have to face the aftermath alone.
Key Takeaways
- All road users owe one another a duty of care.
- Compensation can cover how you have been physically, financially, and psychologically affected by your lorry accident.
- The claims time limit is typically 3 years.
- Our panel of solicitors can help you on a No Win No Fee basis.
If you’ve been involved in an HGV or lorry accident, our team of expert advisors are ready to help you.
Speak to us today and find out how we can support your claim for lorry accident compensation. Our contact services are completely free to use and live 24/7:
- Call 020 3870 4868
- Fill out our ‘claim online‘ page
- Message into our live chat box on the screen.
Jump To A Section
- Who Can Make HGV Or Lorry Accident Claims?
- Average Compensation Amounts For An HGV or Lorry Accident
- What Commonly Causes A HGV Or Lorry Accident?
- What Should I Do After Being Involved In a Lorry Or HGV Accident?
- How Long Do I Have To Make A Lorry Accident Claim?
- Get Help From Our Panel Of No Win No Fee Lorry Accident Solicitors
- More Information
Who Can Make HGV Or Lorry Accident Claims?
To be eligible to make a claim after a lorry accident, it must be proven that it was at least caused partly by someone else.
All road users, including HGV drivers, have a duty of care to act responsibly and avoid causing harm to others. Road users must abide by their duty of care by following the rules set out in the Road Traffic Act 1988 and The Highway Code. So whether you are the lorry driver, another vehicle driver, cyclist, pedestrian it must be shown that:
- The lorry driver owed you a duty of care
- That duty of care was breached
- The breach caused your injuries
These three elements, known as ‘negligence’, are the foundation of any personal injury claim.
Think you meet the lorry accident claims eligibility criteria? Speak to our expert team today and find out if you have valid grounds for compensation.
What If It Was A Foreign Lorry Or HGV Driver?
If you were involved in a lorry accident with a foreign-registered vehicle, you can still make a compensation claim, and the process is more straightforward than you might think.
Thanks to the Green Card system, you will claim in a similar way. The key difference is that your claim will be made through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which handles cases involving foreign drivers under the Green Card framework.
The Green Card is an international certificate of insurance, acting as proof that the foreign vehicle has the minimum third-party liability cover required by law in the country they are driving in. The system is recognised across 47 countries, including all EU and EEA nations.
This framework ensures that victims of road traffic accidents involving foreign HGVs or lorries are not left at a disadvantage when making a truck accident compensation claim.
Were you injured in an accident with a foreign HGV? Contact our advisors today to potentially begin your lorry accident claim through the Green Card MIB system.
Fatal Lorry Accident Claims
If a loved one has tragically died in a lorry accident, their estate or certain qualifying dependents may be able to claim compensation for the impact of their loss. The same eligibility requirements that apply to standard personal injury claims must be met.
To claim, it must be shown that:
- The deceased was owed a duty of care by another party (e.g. a lorry driver, employer or road user)
- That duty was breached
- The breach led to fatal harm
Under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934, the estate can bring a claim for the deceased’s pain, suffering, and any financial losses they incurred before death. They may also bring a claim on behalf of the deceased’s dependents. The estate is the only party entitled to claim within the first 6 months following the death.
If no claim is made by the estate within the first 6 months, certain qualifying relatives, known as dependents, can claim under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. These claims relate to how the death has affected them personally and financially.
Please note that dependents cannot claim on behalf of the deceased. That right lies solely with the estate.
If you’ve lost someone in a fatal lorry or HGV accident, contact our advisors now to learn how our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors can help you. We can also tell you who qualifies as a dependent.
Average Compensation Amounts For An HGV or Lorry Accident
The average compensation amount for a lorry accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries and the specific financial impact the accident has had on your life.
Compensation is typically divided into two parts:
- General damages – awarded for the psychological and physical pain and suffering caused by the injury.
- Special damages – awarded to reimburse you for the financial losses resulting from the injury.
To help calculate general damages, legal professionals refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This publication provides bracketed compensation amounts for a wide range of injuries based on their type and severity.
Below is a table showing examples of compensation amounts from the JCG for different injuries that could potentially be suffered in a lorry accident. Please note that none of these amounts can be guaranteed, as all lorry accident claims are unique. Also, the top figure is not from the JCG, and the bottom 2 figures are from the fixed tariffs in the Whiplash Reform Programme.
| Injury type | Severity of injury | Guideline compensation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries plus special damages | Serious | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Brain damage | Very severe (a) | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Less severe (d) | £18,700 to £52,550 | |
| Neck | Severe (a) | In the region of £181,020 |
| Moderate (b)(i) | £30,500 to £46,970 | |
| Arm | Severe (a) | £117,360 to £159,770 |
| Less severe (c) | £23,430 to £47,810 | |
| Whiplash injuries with psychological damage | Lasting between 18-24 months | £4,345 |
| Whiplash injuries | Lasting between 18-24 months | £4,215 |
Please note: These figures apply only to general damages and do not include special damages, which can significantly increase the total value of your HGV accident compensation claim.
How Is Compensation Calculated?
When you make a lorry accident claim, your compensation will be calculated by assessing both general damages and special damages.
The value of your general damages will depend on several factors, including:
- The severity of the injury – more serious injuries generally lead to higher awards
- The level of pain experienced – both immediate and ongoing pain are considered
- Duration of recovery – longer recovery times can increase the value of your claim
- Impact on daily life – including the inability to carry out work or normal activities
- Emotional distress – including anxiety, PTSD or depression resulting from the accident
- Long-term or permanent symptoms – such as scarring, disability or loss of function
Here are some financial losses that can be reimbursed under special damages:
- Loss of earnings and future earning potential
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Travel costs to and from medical appointments
- Adaptations to your home or vehicle
- Costs of care and support
You will need to provide evidence such as receipts, wage slips, and medical records to support your claim for special damages.
If you’re unsure how much your HGV or truck accident claim could be worth, get in touch with our advisors today for a no-obligation assessment.
How Does The Whiplash Reform Programme Affect Lorry Accident Claims?
The Whiplash Reform Programme introduced changes to how certain road traffic accident claims are made. If you were injured as a driver or passenger in a vehicle and are aged 18 or over, and your injuries, such as whiplash, are valued at £5,000 or less, you may need to pursue your claim through a different route.
Whiplash injuries that fall under this programme are now valued using a fixed tariff system, as outlined in the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021.
If you’ve suffered additional injuries that aren’t covered by the tariff—such as a sprained wrist—these will be valued separately. Should the total value of your claim exceed £5,000, it may still follow the traditional claims process, but tariff rates for whiplash will still apply.
Not sure which route applies to your claim? Speak to our advisors today.
What Commonly Causes A HGV Or Lorry Accident?
Below, we explore common causes of HGV and lorry accidents, supported by examples showing how accidents involving lorries can lead to serious personal injury claims.
Tailgating
- A car driver followed your lorry too closely on a busy A-road. When you slowed to avoid debris, they failed to stop in time and rear-ended you, causing spinal and shoulder injuries.
- A HGV tailgated a cyclist through a city junction. The driver couldn’t stop quickly enough when the cyclist braked, knocking them over and causing a head injury.
Fatigue
- A car driver fell asleep at the wheel and veered into your lane on a dual carriageway whole you were driving a lorry, resulting in a high-speed crash and multiple broken bones.
- A fatigued HGV driver failed to notice slowing traffic ahead and crashed into the back of your stationary vehicle, leaving you with whiplash and lower back injuries.
Alcohol or Drugs
- A car driver over the drink-drive limit misjudged a bend, crashing into your HGV head-on and causing you to suffer a neck fracture and concussion.
- A HGV driver under the influence of drugs ran a red light at a junction, hitting your motorbike. You sustained a broken leg and required reconstructive surgery.
Mobile Phone Usage
- A car driver abruptly cut in front of a fully loaded HGV on the motorway, braking sharply, because they were on their mobile phone. The HGV was unable to stop in time, leading to a rear-end collision that left the driver with neck and shoulder injuries.
- While checking their GPS app, a HGV driver drifted out of their lane on a dual carriageway, sideswiping your van and causing you to sustain multiple soft tissue injuries.
These examples illustrate how a breach of the duty of care by a lorry, HGV, or car driver, can cause serious accidents and injuries. If you’ve been affected, you could be eligible to make a truck accident compensation claim.
Speak to our team of advisors today to find out if you are eligible to make a truck accident compensation claim for your injuries.
What Should I Do After Being Involved In a Lorry Or HGV Accident?
To support your HGV accident compensation claim, follow these steps:
- Seek medical attention – Prioritise your health and generate medical records.
- Report the accident – Notify the police and obtain a report.
- Gather evidence – Take photos, collect witness details, and document vehicle damage.
- Exchange insurance information – Essential for starting your claim compensation process.
- Contact UK Law – Let our advisors guide you through your next steps.
The sooner you act, the stronger your case. So, call UK Law for free help now.
How Long Do I Have To Make A Lorry Accident Claim?
The standard time limit to start a personal injury claim is 3 years from the date the accident occurred, under the Limitation Act 1980. However, exceptions apply for:
- Children (under 18s)
- Individuals lacking mental capacity
While children and those lacking mental capacity are unable to make their own claim, the time limit is paused. While the time limit is paused, a litigation friend can step in.
A litigation friend is an adult appointed to make decisions on behalf of someone who is unable to manage their own claim, such as a child or a person lacking mental capacity.
Not sure if you’re within the time limit? Contact our advisors today and protect your right to compensation. We can also give you more information on how to apply to be a litigation friend.
Get Help From Our Panel Of No Win No Fee Lorry Accident Solicitors
If you’ve been injured in a lorry or HGV accident, our panel of specialist road traffic accident solicitors may be able to help you claim lorry accident compensation under a No Win No Fee agreement.
Here’s how this type of agreement, specifically a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), works:
- You won’t need to pay any upfront or ongoing solicitor fees.
- If your case is successful, a ‘success fee‘ is taken from your compensation. A ‘success fee’ is a legally-capped percentage.
- If your case is unsuccessful, you won’t pay for your solicitor’s fees at all.
Our panel of solicitors have extensive experience handling road traffic accident claims, including complex HGV accident claims, and will work diligently to gather evidence, calculate your losses, and fight for compensation.
Whether you were a driver, cyclist, pedestrian or passenger injured in an accident involving a lorry, our panel can help guide you through the claims process from start to finish with professionalism and care.
Contact Our Advisors
Contact our team of advisors today to find out if you could start a No Win No Fee truck accident claim. Our panel of solicitors are here to support you every step of the way:
- Call 020 3870 4868
- Fill out our ‘claim online‘ page
- Message into our live chat box on the screen.
More Information
View some of our similar guides here:
- Learn about split liability road traffic accident claims.
- How to make a road traffic accident claim against an uninsured driver.
- Learn about whiplash payouts.
You might also find these resources helpful:
- Highways England Traffic Information
- Gov.UK – the rules on drivers’ hours for HGV drivers.
- Gov.UK – how to apply for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you injuries have caused you to have time off work.
Call UK Law now and speak with our expert advisors about the lorry accident claims process.
