HGV & Lorry Accident Claims

HGV & Lorry Accident Solicitors in London

Collisions involving heavy goods vehicles cause some of the most serious injuries on London’s roads. Whether you’re a cyclist, pedestrian, motorcyclist, car driver or lorry driver injured in an HGV accident, our specialist solicitors can help you claim compensation on a no win no fee basis.

At Osbornes Law, we combine deep expertise in catastrophic injury claims with unique knowledge of HGV regulations, the Direct Vision Standard, and CLOCS compliance. Our team includes passionate cyclists who understand exactly how accidents involving HGVs happen and how to build winning claims.

Why HGV Accidents Are Different

HGV and lorry collisions are fundamentally different from standard road accidents:

• Size and weight disparity – Even low-speed impacts cause devastating injuries
• Complex liability – Multiple parties may be responsible: driver, employer, vehicle owner, logistics company
• Regulatory frameworks – DVS compliance, tachograph data, FORS standards, driver hours
• Commercial insurers – Professional defendants with significant resources
• Evidence requirements – CCTV, telematics, vehicle maintenance records, load security

These cases require specialist knowledge. We’ve been handling HGV claims for over 20 years and know how to prove fault, even when liability is disputed.

For Cyclists Hit by HGVs in London

HGVs make up only 4% of London traffic but are involved in over 50% of cyclist fatalities.

Left-turning lorries at junctions remain the most dangerous scenario. Most incidents occur when:

• Drivers fail to check blind spots before turning left
• Cyclists are caught in the “left hook” at traffic lights
• Inadequate mirror systems or cab design
• Non-compliance with TfL’s Direct Vision Standard

As official legal partners of the London Cycling Campaign, we’ve represented hundreds of cyclists injured by lorries. Our team are cyclists themselves. We understand why these collisions happen, the fear of sharing roads with HGVs, and how to prove driver negligence.

Watch: Understanding HGV Risks for Cyclists

Osbornes Law’s cycling specialists discuss the risks cyclists face when sharing London’s roads with HGVs and how we help clients rebuild their lives after serious injury.

Video Transcript:

Andrew Middlehurst: In our work, we see a lot of significant injuries in cases involving heavy goods vehicles and large vehicles. And I wondered what kind of work LCC have been doing over the past 10 years involving that.

Tom Fyans, CEO of London Cycling Campaign: Yeah, I mean unfortunately about over half I think the collisions in London that are fatal involve HGVs and lorries. They are probably the most dangerous thing for cyclists to face on the roads. So we’ve prioritised that issue and actually we’ve been very successful in lobbying for better safety standards to be brought in. So that’s mainly around the vision that the driver has of the road around them. It’s called direct vision standards and they’ve just gone up in quality. So you’re now cycling on the streets in London where lorries have to be a three-star lorry grade which means they’ve got to have good sensors, good cameras around them so they can actually see pedestrians and cyclists whereas before they couldn’t – too many blind spots and that’s been a big part of the reason why so many fatalities happen involving HGVs.

Cyclist Case Studies

£1m Settlement for GP Hit by Lorry Senior Associate Kate Milton secured £1 million for a GP seriously injured when a lorry struck her while cycling to work in London. Despite disputed liability, High Court proceedings led to a successful settlement covering her permanent arm injury, reduced earning capacity and ongoing care needs.

Seven-Figure Claim for Spinal Cord Injury Osbornes Law represents a cyclist left wheelchair-dependent after being hit by an HGV. Despite clear camera footage, liability has been denied. Our team is pursuing a seven-figure compensation award to fund adapted housing, nursing care and long-term rehabilitation.

Read more cycling case studies

For Pedestrians, Motorcyclists & Car Drivers

Pedestrians struck by reversing lorries, motorcyclists caught alongside turning HGVs, and car drivers in multi-vehicle collisions involving lorries all face life-changing consequences.

Common causes include:

• Lorries turning without adequate observation
• Failure to account for vehicle blind spots
• Vehicles overtaking or passing too closely
• Poor junction design and inadequate infrastructure
• Unsecured or overloaded cargo causing vehicles to overturn

We’ve secured multi-million pound settlements for clients with brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and amputations caused by lorry collisions.

For Injured Lorry Drivers

If you were injured while driving or working as a lorry driver, you may be entitled to claim against your employer, another road user, or both.

Employer liability in HGV accidents:

Haulage companies have legal duties to ensure:

• Vehicles are properly maintained and roadworthy
• Realistic delivery schedules that don’t pressure drivers to speed or skip rest breaks
• Adequate driver training and support
• Loads are properly secured and within weight limits
• Compliance with driver hours regulations and tachograph rules

If your accident was caused by mechanical failure, inadequate training, unrealistic schedules, or unsafe working practices, your employer may be liable.

Your rights as a lorry driver:

• You can claim compensation even if you were working at the time
• You won’t lose your job for making a claim
• No win no fee funding available
• We handle claims across the UK

How HGV Accidents Happen

Common Causes

Driver-related factors:

• Fatigue from long hours and demanding schedules
• Distraction (mobile phones, in-cab devices)
• Failure to check blind spots or mirrors
• Misjudging stopping distances
• Speeding or aggressive driving

Vehicle and maintenance failures:

• Faulty brakes or worn tyres
• Inadequate mirror systems
• Poor cab design limiting visibility
• Mechanical failures from inadequate servicing

Employer negligence:

• Unrealistic delivery deadlines pressuring unsafe driving
• Failure to maintain fleet to proper standards
• Inadequate driver training or supervision
• Unsafe loading practices making vehicles unstable

Regulatory breaches:

• Non-compliance with Direct Vision Standard (DVS)
• FORS/CLOCS safety requirement violations
• Driver hours and tachograph irregularities
• Load security failures

Serious Injuries We Handle

Due to the size and weight of HGVs, collisions typically result in catastrophic injuries:

• Head and brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Amputations
• Crush injuries
• Multiple fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Fatal accidents

Our personal injury team has extensive experience handling high-value claims for people with life-altering injuries. We work with leading medical experts, case managers, and rehabilitation specialists to secure the support you need.

What You Can Claim For

Compensation in HGV accident claims covers:

Immediate costs:

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Emergency care and hospital stays
• Vehicle repairs or replacement
• Damaged clothing, equipment, or personal possessions
• Travel expenses to medical appointments

Ongoing and future needs:

• Loss of earnings (past and future)
• Reduced earning capacity
• Specialist equipment and adaptations
• Home modifications for accessibility
• Long-term care and support
• Physiotherapy and psychological therapy

General damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of amenity and quality of life
• Impact on relationships and activities

How We Investigate HGV Claims

HGV accident claims require thorough investigation of:

Evidence we gather:

• CCTV footage from multiple angles
• Dash cam and helmet camera footage
• Witness statements
• Police collision reports
• Vehicle telematics and tachograph data
• Driver hours and rest break records
• Vehicle maintenance and MOT history
• DVS rating and compliance documentation
• FORS/CLOCS certification

Expert witnesses we instruct:

• Accident reconstruction specialists
• Vehicle examination engineers
• Biomechanical experts
• Medical consultants for injury assessment
• Employment law experts for driver claims

We examine every angle to establish fault and maximise your compensation.

Direct Vision Standard & Safety Compliance

Since 2021, all HGVs over 12 tonnes operating in Greater London must meet minimum Direct Vision Standard (DVS) safety requirements. In 2024, this standard increased to 3-star.

DVS measures:

• How much a driver can see directly from the cab
• Elimination of dangerous blind spots
• Camera and sensor requirements
• Side guards and warning systems

Why DVS matters for your claim:

If the lorry that hit you:

• Had a DVS rating below the required standard
• Lacked required safety equipment
• Had non-functioning cameras or sensors
• Shouldn’t have been operating in London

This strengthens your claim significantly. Operators face fines up to £550 per day for non-compliance, which demonstrates the seriousness of the breach.

We routinely investigate DVS compliance in every HGV claim involving London accidents.

Your Rights Under FORS & CLOCS

Many haulage operators are required to comply with:

FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme):

• Driver training requirements
• Vehicle safety standards
• Progressive safe systems of work

CLOCS (Construction Logistics and Community Safety):

• Specific safety standards for construction logistics
• Enhanced driver training
• Vulnerable road user awareness

If your accident involved a construction vehicle or major logistics operator, we investigate whether they met their CLOCS and FORS obligations.

Who Can Make an HGV Accident Claim?

You may be eligible if you were:

• A cyclist hit by an HGV or lorry
• A pedestrian struck or run over
• A motorcyclist in collision with a lorry
• A car driver or passenger involved in an HGV accident
• A lorry driver injured at work
• Injured while loading or unloading a vehicle
• Family member of someone killed in an HGV accident (fatal accident claim)

Even if you were partly responsible, you may still be entitled to compensation (reduced to reflect your share of responsibility).

How Long Do You Have to Claim?

You typically have three years from the date of accident to bring a claim.

Exceptions:

• No time limit if the injured person lacks mental capacity
• The clock starts at age 18 for children injured as minors
• Different time limits may apply for accidents abroad

Important: Evidence deteriorates over time. CCTV footage is often deleted after 30 days. Contact us as soon as possible to preserve crucial evidence.

No Win No Fee HGV Claims

All our HGV accident claims are handled on a no win no fee basis (Conditional Fee Agreement).

What this means:

• No upfront legal costs
• No fees if your claim isn’t successful
• If you win, we deduct a small success fee from your compensation
• Your out-of-pocket expenses are protected by After The Event (ATE) insurance

You’ll never be left out of pocket, even if your claim is unsuccessful.

What to Do After an HGV Accident

Immediately:

1. Get medical help – Your health is the priority. Even if you feel fine, see a doctor. Some injuries (concussion, internal bleeding) appear later.
2. Report to police – Call 999 if anyone is injured or the road is blocked. For lorry driver accidents, notify your employer immediately and ensure it’s recorded in the accident book.
3. Gather evidence:
   • Take photos/videos of vehicles, road layout, damage, visible injuries
   • Get driver details, vehicle registration, company name
   • Collect witness names and contact details
   • Note exact location, time, weather, lighting conditions
   • For cyclists: photograph your damaged bike and equipment
4. Don’t admit fault – Avoid making statements that could be interpreted as accepting blame. HGV claims are complex with multiple potential defendants.
5. Keep all receipts – Medical costs, travel, bike repairs, replacement equipment. These form part of your claim.

Next steps:

Contact a specialist HGV accident solicitor. The earlier we’re involved:

• The faster we can preserve crucial evidence (CCTV, telematics)
• The sooner we can arrange medical assessment and rehabilitation
• The better protected your legal rights

We’ll handle all contact with insurers and investigate every aspect of liability.

Why Choose Osbornes Law?

Specialist HGV accident expertise:

• 20+ years handling complex lorry collision claims
• Secured multi-million pound settlements
• Deep knowledge of DVS, FORS, CLOCS regulations
• Official legal partners of London Cycling Campaign

Our team:

• Accredited by APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers)
• Ranked in Chambers UK and Legal 500
• Many of our solicitors are cyclists who understand these accidents first-hand
• We speak multiple languages for international clients

Client-focused service:

• No win no fee funding
• Direct access to experienced solicitors, not call centres
• Regular updates throughout your claim
• Fast-track rehabilitation and interim payments where possible

Results speak for themselves:

• £1m+ for GP hit by lorry while cycling
• Seven-figure claims for spinal injuries
• £70k-£200k settlements for serious cycling injuries
• Successful fatal accident claims for bereaved families

Preventing Future HGV Accidents

Through our partnership with London Cycling Campaign, we actively support campaigns to:

• Improve lorry cab design and eliminate blind spots
• Strengthen Direct Vision Standard requirements
• Mandate additional safety technology (cameras, sensors, warning systems)
• Improve driver training and monitoring
• Create safer road infrastructure for vulnerable road users
• Hold operators accountable for safety breaches

Every claim we win makes London’s roads safer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim if the lorry driver says I was in their blind spot? Yes. Drivers have a legal duty to ensure their blind spots are clear before manoeuvring. If the lorry’s DVS rating was inadequate or required safety equipment was missing or faulty, this strengthens your claim.

What if the lorry drove off? You may still be able to claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) for untraced drivers. We handle MIB claims regularly.

I’m a lorry driver injured in an accident that was partly my fault. Can I still claim? Possibly. If your employer contributed to the accident (inadequate maintenance, unrealistic schedules, poor training), you can claim against them. Even if you were partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced proportionally rather than eliminated entirely.

How much compensation will I get? This depends on injury severity, recovery time, financial losses, and impact on your life. Minor injuries might settle for thousands; life-changing injuries can reach millions. We provide realistic estimates once we’ve assessed your case.

How long will my claim take? Straightforward cases may settle in 12-18 months. Complex catastrophic injury claims can take 3-5 years as we wait for maximum medical recovery to accurately value future needs. We can often secure interim payments during this period.

Speak to a Specialist HGV Accident Solicitor

Contact our London team today for a free, no-obligation consultation:

Call: 020 7485 8811
Online: Contact form

We serve clients across London including Camden, Westminster, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lambeth, and all London boroughs, as well as nationwide for serious injury claims.

Evening and weekend appointments available.

Related Services

• Cycling Accident Claims
• Motorcycle Accident Claims
• Pedestrian Accident Claims
• Serious Injury Claims
• Fatal Accident Claims
• Accident at Work Claims

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