Work Vehicle Accidents

Are vehicles at work putting you at risk?

There are many different types of accidents at work; some of the most serious involve work related vehicles. Vehicle related accidents could affect the driver of the vehicle or pedestrians in the vicinity, particularly in confined spaces such as warehouses. Common work vehicles include forklift trucks as well as company cars, vans and lorries. If you have had a vehicle related accident at work, you may be able to make a legal claim for compensation and damages. The severity of vehicle related accidents is highlighted by the fact that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has repeatedly warned employers of the specific dangers involved.

The Department of Transport undertakes an annual survey of vehicle-related accidents for both privately owned and work vehicles. In 2005 the Road Casualties Great Britain survey gave detailed statistics of such accidents. The survey concluded that over 54,000 accidents involved work vehicles. This averages at around 150 accidents per day - a staggering number. The survey also states that in 2005 a quarter of accidents involved vehicles being driven for work-related reasons, and that one in seven vehicles on the roads are work vehicles. Nowadays these figures may be proportionally higher as the amount of traffic generally has increased.

Accidents at work involving vehicles also affects pedestrians and other employees on foot. In 2006 a 32 year old administrator was involved in such an accident. She was seriously injured when a 2.5 tonne forklift truck reversed into her. The injuries she sustained were so severe that she had to have her left leg amputated below the knee. Northampton based company was found to be in violation of the 1992 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £5,941 in damages. It was generally agreed that the lady involved in the accident could easily have been killed, and that the incident could have been avoided if certain safety measures had been put in place.

If you have been involved in a work related vehicle accident, you are fully within your rights to make a claim for compensation. In such an instance you should approach a specialist solicitor or claims company. A specialist company will be aware of the legal issues surrounding such accident claims and have years of experience. With the right expert advice, making a claim should be as simple, straightforward and as stress free as possible. Specialist solicitors will ensure that you receive 100% of the compensation amount you are claiming for. Most companies will also work on a no win, no fee basis by claiming their fees from the other party involved in the proceedings. 90% of work accident claims are settled out of court.

The amount that you can claim for and receive will vary, depending on the circumstances of your injury and the extent of the damages. Neck injuries that include paraplegia will usually be compensated with a payout of over £82,500, whereas fractures and dislocation settlements are around £15,000. Minor back injures are in the region of £4,250 whereas more serious injuries are compensated at around £93,000. Loss of limb is from £132,500 for both arms or £52,000 for one. Claims will also include other compensation figures such as money to compensate loss of earnings and medical expenses.

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