Published in CV Driver February 2017.

Continuing his series of articles, solicitor Steven Hinchliffe (owner of the truckers’ “go to” Personal Injury specialists HINCHLIFFES SOLICITORS) highlights another type of accident suffered by professional drivers and their colleagues, where his firm has successfully secured compensation for the injured victim.  See the “Latest News” blog link on the homepage of the firm’s website at www.hinchliffes.co.uk for all of his previous articles.

You do not need to be a professional driver to seek our help – anyone hurt in an accident (eg your family or friends) can contact us for advice.

CASE HISTORY

How the Accident Happened

In May 2006 a lorry driver travelling along a motorway nearside lane needed to overtake a slower moving articulated vehicle in front of him.  Checking his mirrors he saw only one car travelling behind in the third lane, a sufficient distance away for him to feel safe in commencing his manoeuvre.  He indicated and began moving into the centre lane.  Having almost completed the manoeuvre, the car came level with his lorry and attempted to also move into the centre lane.  As the car driver became aware of the lorry’s presence, he swerved and lost control, colliding with the articulated vehicle ahead and leaving the lorry driver unable to avoid colliding with the car.

The Injuries

The driver suffered whiplash injuries to his neck and shoulders and a bruised knee, and needed a week off work.

How the Claim Progressed

The driver contacted us shortly after his accident and we sent a formal letter to the car driver setting out the basis of the claim, and copied this direct to his insurers.  Whilst awaiting a response we applied for copies of our client’s medical records and also the Police accident report.

In October 2006, and only after sight of the Police report that fully corroborated the lorry driver’s version of events, the insurers accepted full responsibility for what had happened.  Around this time, we had arranged for the lorry driver to be examined by an A&E Consultant and just a few weeks later we received his medical report, which confirmed that thankfully the driver had made a full recovery from his injuries within about 6 weeks of the accident.

We began valuing the driver’s claim, but struggled to compile details of his financial losses.  His employer was in administration and was unable to locate wage details that would show his lost earnings for the time he had to take off work.  Also, the driver had accepted work overseas and was now in the process of moving abroad.  Fortunately he was able to provide us with his payslips and we could then complete our calculations and submit settlement proposals to the insurers.

In December 2006, after only a few days of negotiations, acceptable terms were agreed.

The Compensation Recovered

The driver accepted total compensation of £1,615.24.

PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM SOLICITORS:-

If you have suffered any form of accident or contracted an industrial disease contact personal injury claims specialists Hinchliffes Solicitors for immediate legal advice, to find out if you are entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation.  All cases are conducted on a No Win No Fee and No Risk basis.

Call now on 01684 580900 to speak direct to one of our specialist claims lawyers or go to our Start Your Claim  page to submit details of your accident compensation claim online.

If you would like to know what your injury claim may be worth, please go to our Value Your Injury page.

Confused by the claims process?  Please look at our extensive FAQs.

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