Delivery Driver and Courier Accidents: Who’s to Blame?

How safe are delivery drivers and couriers?

In the UK, there is an ever-increasing demand for swift and efficient delivery. Whether it’s fast food, clothes or our weekly grocery shop, we’ve become accustomed to getting what we need quickly.

But when speed of delivery is put before employee safety, it can create a dangerous environment for couriers and delivery drivers.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), around 70 people are killed each year in work-related accidents involving vehicles such as bicycles, motorbikes, cars and lorries. It states that a ‘significant number’ of these accidents take place during the collection and delivery of goods.

Some of the main dangers affecting couriers include:

• Being involved in a road collision – colliding with another vehicle can leave couriers with a wide range of injuries from whiplash to spinal cord damage
• Being struck by unsecured parcels – in the worst cases, this can result in crush injuries such as broken bones
• Carrying items that are too heavy – if couriers are repeatedly carrying goods that are too heavy, it could lead to manual handling injuries
• Falling from a vehicle – couriers on bicycles and motorbikes are at a greater risk of falling to the ground, and could suffer light grazes and cuts or more serious injuries
• Tripping on uneven surfaces – tripping may sound like a minor incident but if someone were to hit their head on a hard surface while falling, the consequences can be severe

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for couriers to face the blame for accidents which could have been prevented if the right safety precautions were in place. One of the main reasons for this is the level of uncertainty that often exists around who is responsible for courier safety.

Who should be held responsible for courier accidents?

In the majority of working environments, it will come down to an employer to keep their staff members safe during working hours. But it can get a bit more complicated where deliveries are involved.

Delivery drivers will visit multiple sites a day in order to drop off and collect goods. This means that the responsibility for courier safety is often split between employers, suppliers and recipients (the person or organisation receiving the goods).

And it’s not unusual for each of these parties to disagree when it comes to placing blame for a courier accident.

Part of a solicitor’s role is to examine the evidence available and identify who should be held responsible for your injuries. So working with First4Lawyers means you don’t need to worry if you’re not completely sure who that should be.

Will I lose my job if I make a courier accident claim?

You have a right to feel safe at work. And if you’ve been injured as a direct result of lacking safety measures, you could be entitled to compensation and support.

We know it can be intimidating raising an accident at work claim, and you might have concerns about the consequences . But you’re protected by laws that make it illegal for you to be dismissed or treated any differently for taking legal action.

If your employer does dismiss you for making a claim, they could be opening themselves up to further legal action. 

Why should I make a claim?

By bringing a claim, you could help to make sure that what happened to you isn’t repeated. And any compensation you receive will reflect the suffering you’ve endured, as well as any financial losses related to your case.

If you’d like to find out more about making a No Win No Fee claim, get in touch with our friendly claims team. We’ll talk to you about your injuries and let you know if our expert solicitors can help you.

To get in touch, give us a call on the number at the top of the screen or start your claim online. We’ll work through your options with you and help you to decide on the best way forward.