Lorries, LGVS and HGVs Accidents is a type of road traffic accident that is deemed the most dangerous and life threatening when it comes to a collusion between them and other vehicles such as a car or motorbike, cyclists and pedestrians.
With the amount of force and weight of LGVs or HGVs will end in a disaster for both the driver and passenger while the lorry driver will likely suffer mild injuries
The injuries caused by LGVs, HGVs can permanently change lives or death.
Irresponsibly driving LGVS, HGVS and Lorries is a huge risk on the road which could potentially cause multiple vehicle accidents
Accidents involving lorry drivers whom have a responsibility to care for other road users are either tailgating, taking over cars, trying to take a low bridge, pulling in too fast or deliberately taking risks knowing that they will be secured due to the nature of their LGV.
Lorry Drivers are required special training and Qualification for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence for professional driving in order to drive LGVs or HGVs in public. Before they get rewarded CPC in which they must be 18 years or over and have a full drivers licence they must pass 4 tests that they need to go through and also an operator’s licence in certain situations
A mistake committed by a lorry driver cannot be prevented every time despite the training and licences such as mechanical faults being found in lorries can result in disastrous consequences and the lack of safety checks is the reason why LGV is harmful to drive around the streets
TRIVIA: HGVs was involved in 30% of fatalities with 12% being pedestrian and 18% being cyclists even though they made up road miles with 5%
LGV accidents can be preventable if long distanced drivers did not suffer from fatigue which can lose their focus or doze off which can lead to a serious accident
The long distanced drivers are ensured that they need to take a break when they are feeling fatigue or stop when it is getting too much to deal with. According to the law, a commercial driver is permitted to drive 9 hours per day totalling 56 hours per week and take 45 minutes break after driving for 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Failing to follow these guidelines can either get them a DVLA fine or prosecuted
the route of the lorry was unplanned or the work schedule was never considered when comes to non-rest breaks and this can end in an accident and the haulage company is held responsible for the injury
TRIVIA: the timings of fatigue related incidents is 2am- 6am at night and 2pm-4pm in the afternoon
Although there is a strict rule that Lorry drivers are not allowed mobile phones whilst driving at work however some lorry drivers rebel against it.
Lorry drivers having a mobile phone or satnav have a greater chance as to those lorry drivers who use drugs and drink alcoholic beverages of having an accident because of the size of their vehicles.
Another reason is overloading stuff which is unsafe and unstable in LGV/HGV such as cargo which an either tip over or lose control or land poorly
You should speak to a personal injury lawyer regarding a accident you have been involved in related to lorries, LGVs/HGVs.
They will guide you on what steps you need to take in order to make your claim a success
You would claim against the employer of the LGV/HGV rather than the driver because they are liable for the actions of the driver but the claim will go against the insurance company of the employer instead
LGV/HGV drivers can make a claim for compensation for an accident that was caused by their vehicle and claim against their employer because they did not allow them to take breaks or that the vehicle was unfit to use on the road
Eyewitnesses and photographs/drawings of the accident and injuries, diary filled with recovery and rehabilitation and the vehicles tachograph which has information of how long and what time did the driver drive can also support your claim.
You would need to exhibit that lorry driver was careless or driving recklessly as a result of the injury in order to make your compensation claim. If you are partially at fault of the accident, you can still get some compensation out of it.
A lawyer will use any of these evidence to try building a strong case against any party who is held liable for your loss and injuries
If you have had an accident then contact our friendly team today on 0203 813 9654 or simply fill out our contact form and we will call you back as soon as possible
