HGV & lorry accident claims

The amount of compensation you might receive can vary depending on the injury you have sustained and the accident itself. After an accident involving a HGV, you may be left suffering from severe injuries and the accident could be life-changing or worse.

Your compensation figure is negotiated between your lorry accident solicitor and legal team and the party responsible for your accident. All claims are different, so we're not able to tell you exactly how much your final settlement figure might be.

Your settlement will be made up of two parts:

1. Compensation for your suffering:
   First, you can be compensated for the pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by your injury. This might include ongoing physical symptoms or the ways your injury has affected your lifestyle, such as not being able to enjoy hobbies or activities as you did before. The more severe and long-lasting the effects, the higher this part of the compensation is likely to be. This part of your compensation is known as ‘general damages'. 
2. Compensation for financial losses:
   Next, any out-of-pocket costs related to your injury can be claimed. This might include medical treatment, prescriptions, and travel expenses for doctor's appointments. If your injury has stopped you from working, any lost earnings can also be included, along with potential future earnings if you're unable to return to work or need ongoing support. If you need long-term care or adaptations to your home, those costs are projected and factored in too. These are referred to as ‘special damages. But we understand that it is important for you to have an idea of how much compensation you may be able to claim for your lorry accident. This is why we've created our industry-leading compensation calculatorto give you a guideline figure of how much your claim might be worth.

When you're ready to speak to us, our friendly helpline advisors are on hand. Just call us on . They will listen carefully to what has happened to you and give you free, impartial advice on whether you can claim.

We've listed some common causes of lorry accidents below. If your experience isn't here, then please don't worry as this list is not exhaustive.

Driving while tired

Lorries are often on the roads for long periods of time and may have even travelled from abroad. Tiredness can affect a driver's concentration, judgement and ability to make decisions.

EU law dictates how long drivers of HGVs can be on the road to prevent accidents from happening. For example, EU regulations state that a HGV driver should be behind the wheel for no longer than nine hours a day, and there should be at least an 11-hour break period between these shifts. You can find more information here.

Tailgating or overtaking

Road accidents in the UK often happen when vehicles overtake or change lanes - there is a higher risk with lorries and HGVs, as there's usually a larger ‘blind spot' especially with foreign left-handed lorries.

HGV drivers and other road users should avoid driving too closely to cars in front and should make sure they check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

Poor weather conditions

Changes in road conditions can lead to different dangers for any driver.

Ice and heavy rain can cause longer braking distances, and strong winds can cause HGVs to tip over. Lorry drivers should take extra care when driving in bad weather to avoid accidents.

Car drivers aren't the only road users at risk of lorry accidents. Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians have very little protection from other vehicles and are easily unseen by lorry drivers or their operators.

Claiming against the HGV or lorry operator

Drivers of lorries and large goods vehicles need proper training to get a special HGV licence before they're legally allowed to drive them. If lorries are driven without the correct training, or if the safety rules aren't followed, then accidents are more likely to happen. 

If you have been in a lorry accident that wasn't your fault and want to investigate making an HGV accident claim, we can help you get the compensation and support you need during your recovery.

Car accident with a lorry 

If you were in a car or van which was involved in an accident with a lorry - whether you were driving or a passenger - then call our personal injury helpline advisors on . They will listen carefully to what happened and make an assessment as to whether you might have grounds for a lorry accident compensation claim. 

Lorry and bus accident claims

If you were travelling on, or driving, a bus or coach which was hit by a lorry, HGV or truck, then you might be able to make a claim.

Lorry and motorcycle accident

As a motorcyclist or cyclist, we understand how vulnerable you can be on the road. If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle or cycle accident with a lorry, we may be able to help you. To ensure you don't experience additional financial stress, your initial chat is free of charge and there's no obligation to move forward with a claim.

Accidents with a foreign lorry driver

There is a system in place that protects road users who've been in an accident with an international lorry. To be able to drive in the UK, operators of foreign HGVs need to have a ‘Green Card' as this shows that they're insured.

Following an accident with a foreign registered lorry, we recommend you ask for the green card details of the driver if you can. Also, try to make a note of the number plate of the cab and trailer (these are sometimes different) as this could help with your claim.

Read more about claiming after a road traffic accident

If you're involved in any road accident, the first thing you should do is stop and call the emergency services if anyone is in danger or is injured. You should also exchange details with the other party or parties involved and hand over your own insurance details. The accident should be reported to the police in the case of any injury or driving offence.

If possible, you should obtain photos and witness details to help any potential claim.

Being involved in an accident involving any vehicle can be terrifying, but the costs of your recovery can also affect your finances. Compensation can help to take away some of the financial pressure, so you can focus on getting better.

The first step is to contact us for free, impartial advice on . Alternatively, use the contact form below to arrange a call back. We will discuss your case with you and let you know whether you may have grounds to make a truck accident claim.

We'll never push you into moving forward with a claim when you speak to us. It's your decision so you don't need to worry about being pressured if you decide to not go ahead.

It's advised to start the claims process as soon as possible to ensure you're within the time limit. You have three years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings or settle a lorry accident claim unless one of the following situations applies:

• Children under the age of 18: If you're claiming on behalf of a child, you have up until their 18th birthday to start court proceedings or settle a claim. After this, the usual three-year limit applies which takes them up to their 21st birthday.
• Lack of mental capacity: If someone lacks mental capacity, someone else can claim on their behalf at any time. But the usual three-year time limit comes into force if they regain mental capacity, even if just for a brief period.

If you're nearing the end of the time limit, we advise you to contact us as soon as possible to see if we can help you.

We know that making the decision to start a claim can be a difficult one. That's why our friendly team of helpline advisors is here to listen to your story and help you get started with your compensation claim.

• Access to a nationwide panel of expert solicitors
• Most truck accident claims taken on a no win no fee basis
• Over years_since years' experience in handling personal injury claims
• Clear, empathetic support

Contact us to discuss your possible claim and our helpful advisors will chat through your case with you and explain your options. Call us on or request a call back to speak with us today.