What types of forklift accidents are there?
You don't have to be a forklift driver or even work with forklift trucks to be injured by them.
In fact, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) claims that, on average, forklift truck accidents make up a quarter of all workplace transport accidents.
A powerful industrial vehicle like a forklift is definitely classed as dangerous equipment, and therefore you need strict safety measures to limit the risk of accident or injury. Unfortunately, there are people and organisations who prioritise speed and efficiency over safety, and they are too often the real reason that accidents happen.
Below are some examples of how accidents can be caused by forklift trucks:
Accidents as a driver
- Unsafe driving conditions - where your injury was the result of poor surface conditions, potholes or adverse weather
- Incorrect training - where the wrong training, or a lack of training, has caused you to be injured
- Defective forklift - where the forklift you were driving was not safe or fit for purpose
Other forklift accidents
- A pedestrian collision - where a forklift truck has collided with you
- An equipment collision - if a forklift truck has hit shelves, machinery or lockers and you've been injured as a result, including from falling objects or debris
- Dangerous or reckless driving - injuries caused by speeding, swerving or driving in unregulated areas
Was your accident someone else's fault?
We understand that it can sometimes be difficult to know if your accident was somebody else's fault, especially if you've been working in the same way without injury or accident for some time. However, there are some rules and regulations that, if broken or not followed, mean that someone else is responsible for your injury.
There are no government-issued licences for forklift trucks. However, your employer is required to make sure all members of staff operating machinery and vehicles are properly trained under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). This is to make sure that any risk posed by forklift trucks is minimised.
Where forklift trucks are used, basic training should be given and followed, such as the L117: Operator training and safe use, approved code of practice.
If your employer has failed to provide this training, either internally or via external licensing bodies such as the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), and you've suffered an injury as a result, then the accident was somebody else's fault. Imagine, if you or your colleagues had been given this training, you may have been able to prevent the accident that led to your injury.
With this in mind, it's also important to remember that if your employer has failed to make your working environment safe for forklift trucks to operate in, or has provided poorly maintained forklift trucks, they hold the blame for the injury you've suffered.
We've helped thousands of people start claims for their accident at work. Have a look at a few of the 2,000 reviews we've received on Trust Pilot, the largest independent review website, and you'll understand how using a supportive, reliable and well-established company like us can make claiming for compensation a much smoother process.
Can you claim for your forklift accident?
The simplest, easiest, and probably quickest way to find out if you can claim for your forklift accident is to call us for free on .
We'll ask you a few questions about your accident, and we can then tell you over the phone if we think you have a claim. If you're ready to start the process straight away, we'll transfer you to one of our specialist solicitors.
However, we're also happy to give you impartial, no-obligation advice too. There's no pressure to take the next step straight away, and all of our conversations are confidential. So if you would like to talk about your experience, give us a call on .
Alternatively, you can use our three-step check below to find out if you could claim.
Three-step check
If you answer yes to the below questions, then it's likely we can put you in contact with a solicitor. We'll have to speak to you on the phone just to get the details of your accident, but the call won't take long.
- Did your accident happen within the last three years?
- Was the accident somebody else's fault?
- Were you injured as a result of the accident?
Paul Scott had to visit A&E after his accident
I won around £2,500 which helped with my loss of earnings, but the most important thing to me was making sure the company improved their procedures
How much compensation could you receive?
Many people want to know how much compensation they'll receive to see whether claiming will be "worth it".
It's important to remember that any money you receive will be useful in paying bills while you're off work, or can go towards the recovery process. Plus, bringing unsafe practices to an employer's attention can spark a change in policies, preventing future harm to you and your colleagues and making claiming the responsible thing to do.
However, to give you an idea of the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, we've created a handy compensation calculator. Our calculator will ask you some questions about your accident and your injuries, and then provide a guide figure on how much your claim might be worth - although remember this might not be the final amount!
When your specialist solicitor negotiates compensation on your behalf, they consider a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to:
- The type of injury you've experienced
- The severity of your injury
- Any loss of earnings you may have suffered as a result of your injury
- Any costs you've had to cover, including prescriptions, travel and medical treatment
- The length and nature of your recovery
If you've decided to start a claim, your solicitor will let you know a more accurate estimation of the value of your claim as soon as possible.
Looking to start your forklift accident claim?
We know that your accident could have caused you pain, anxiety and stress. It can impact you both physically and psychologically, and has probably meant you've had to take time off work, which can result in a loss of earnings. The knock-on effects can impact you, and your family, in ways you'd never expect.
You deserve to be compensated for the impact your accident has had on your life.
If you're ready to start your claim, then we can help you. Call us for free on . We'll ask you some questions and let you know if we think you have a claim in minutes.
Need more advice?
We're able to give you free, confidential advice without the pressure of claiming. Get in touch with us today on to have your questions answered, or enter your details into one of our forms and we'll call you back.