If you’ve been injured in an accident while working as a delivery driver, you may be wondering whether you can claim compensation. Whether you drive a van, car, scooter, or cycle, delivery work carries an increased risk of accidents due to tight deadlines, high-pressure environments, and constant interaction with traffic and the public.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to establish eligibility for a delivery driver accident claim
- What to do if you’re using a motorcycle, bicycle, or scooter
- What happens if you’re self employed
- The guideline compensation amounts available for personal injury claims
- Who may be held liable and how to start your claim
At Legal Helpline, we understand how disruptive a delivery driver injury can be, not only to your health but also to your income. We specialise in helping delivery drivers pursue personal injury compensation for accidents caused by another party’s negligent actions. Whether you’re self employed, a contracted courier, or working through an agency, our panel of solicitors can provide you with expert legal representation on a No Win No Fee basis.
Speak with our advisory team today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our services are available 24/7:
- Call 0333 0000729.
- Fill out the form on our Contact Us page.
- Message in our live chat box on the screen.
Jump To A Section
- Can I Make A Delivery Driver Accident Claim?
- Who Is Liable If A Courier Or Delivery Driver Is Injured?
- What Compensation Can Delivery Drivers Get After An Accident?
- The Most Common Accidents Involving Delivery Drivers And Couriers
- Can I Be Sacked After Claiming For An Accident?
- How Can I Make A Delivery Driver Accident Claim?
- Can I Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Learn More
Can I Make A Delivery Driver Accident Claim?
Yes, you can make a delivery driver accident claim if your injury was caused by someone else’s negligent actions while you were working. This could include your employer, another road user, a local authority, or another third party.
To be eligible, the following conditions apply:
- You were owed a duty of care
- That duty was breached through negligent actions/inactions.
- You suffered injury as a result of this breach.
We explain in more detail what duty of care is owed to you as a delivery driver further down this guide.
Take action now. Contact our team of advisors to find out if you’re eligible to claim accident at work compensation today. We’ll assess your case for free.
Can I Claim If I Was Using A Motorcycle, Bike Or Scooter?
Yes, you can claim for a delivery driver accident regardless of whether you were using a motorcycle, bicycle, or scooter. You are still owed the same duty of care no matter what vehicle you use as a delivery driver.
Can I Claim If I’m Self Employed?
Yes, self employed delivery drivers can still make an accident claim, provided another party’s negligent actions caused the incident. While you may not be a traditional employee, companies and clients you work for still have a duty of care to ensure your safety.
Even as an independent contractor, you could claim against:
- A negligent driver
- A company that failed to maintain safe premises
- A business that supplied faulty equipment
In cases involving gig economy platforms, courts may still rule that the company owed a legal duty despite your employment status.
Self-employed doesn’t mean unprotected. Call our expert team to check your rights today.
Can I Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One?
Yes, you can claim on behalf of a loved one if they’re under 18 or lack the mental capacity to claim themselves. You would act as a litigation friend, making decisions in their best interests throughout the claim.
The usual time limit doesn’t apply in these cases. For children, the time limit starts on their 18th birthday. For adults without capacity, there’s no limit unless they regain capacity.
If a loved one can’t claim for themselves, speak to our team today for clear, expert advice on starting their claim.
Who Is Liable If A Courier Or Delivery Driver Is Injured?
Liability for a delivery driver accident depends on who breached their duty of care. Several parties may be responsible, including employers, third-party drivers, local councils, or private property owners.
Relevant legislation and documents outline the duties owed to protect your safety as a delivery driver:
-
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Employers must ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all employees and workers, this includes delivery drivers, through taking reasonable steps such as proper training and risk assessments. -
The Road Traffic Act 1988 and The Highway Code
The above documents outline rules that all types of road users must follow in order to adhere to their duty of care. All road users, including other drivers, owe a duty of care to drive responsibly and avoid causing harm to others. A negligent driver who causes a collision may be liable for any personal injury you suffer while working. -
Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957
Those who control premises, such as homes, restaurants, shops, or offices, must take steps to keep public lawful visitors, including delivery drivers, reasonably safe. Hazards like unsafe paving or slippery floors could result in liability if not addressed. -
Highways Act 1980
Local authorities are responsible for maintaining public highways. If they fail to repair known defects like potholes, and this causes an injury, they may be held liable for breaching their duty of care.
Not sure who was at fault for your delivery driver accident? Call our team today for advice. We’ll help identify liability.
What Compensation Can Delivery Drivers Get After An Accident?
The compensation for a delivery driver accident falls into two categories: general damages and special damages.
Special damages are awarded to cover the financial losses directly linked to your injury.
General damages compensate for the physical and psychological impact of your injuries. The amounts are often guided by the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which is a publication used by legal professionals to value personal injury claims based on the type and severity of an injury.
Below is an example table based on the most recent JCG brackets. These are just some injuries that could be suffered in a delivery driver accident. Please keep in mind that none of these brackets are guaranteed since all personal injury claims differ in circumstance. Also, the top figure is not from the JCG.
| Injury type | Injury severity | Guideline compensation brackets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries and special damages | Serious | Up to £500,000+ | More than one serious injury and financial losses such as vehicle repairs and loss of earnings |
| Back | Severe (a)(i) | £111,150 to £196,450 | Severe damage to spinal cord and nerve roots, with severe pain and disability |
| Moderate (b)(i) | £33,880 to £47,320 | Examples of cases within this bracket includes a prolapsed intervertebral disc that necessitates surgery | |
| Ankle | Very severe (a) | £61,090 to £85,070 | Examples of cases within this bracket includes a transmalleolar fracture and extensive soft-tissue damage |
| Moderate (c) | £16,770 to £32,450 | Fractures and ligament tears that lead to less serious disabilities, such as awkwardness walking on stairs | |
| Wrist | Complete loss of function (a) | £58,710 to £73,050 | Where an arthrodesis has been performed |
| Less severe (c) | £15,370 to £29,900 | Where some permanent disability remains | |
| Shoulder | Severe (a) | £23,430 to £58,610 | Damage to the brachial plexus that causes significant disability |
| Moderate (c) | £9,630 to £15,580 | Frozen shoulder injury, or soft-tissue injuries, where the symptoms last for roughly 2 years |
Don’t guess. Get a tailored estimate. Call us to learn how much compensation you could claim.
What Will Determine The Amount Of Compensation I Get?
The amount you could receive for a delivery driver accident depends on multiple factors regarding your general and special damages.
Some factors that can determine the value of general damages include:
- The severity of pain and suffering
- The type and location of the injury (e.g. head, back, limbs)
- The duration of symptoms or recovery time
- Whether the injury causes long-term disability or disfigurement
- The impact on your daily life or ability to work
- Any associated mental health issues, such as anxiety or PTSD
And here are some financial losses that can be reimbursed under special damages:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Travel to medical appointments
- Vehicle repairs
However, you must provide evidence of your special damages, such as payslips, bank statements, invoices, and receipts.
In cases involving multiple serious injuries, you may be able to receive interim payments. Interim payments are early compensation payments made before a claim is fully settled, intended to help cover urgent costs such as medical expenses or loss of income during your recovery.
Want a clearer idea of your claim’s value? Call our team now to get tailored advice and potential support from our panel of personal injury solicitors.
The Most Common Accidents Involving Delivery Drivers And Couriers
Below are some of the most common delivery driver accidents, with examples of how duty of care can be breached.
Manual Handling Injuries
- You work for a large logistics company and was asked to deliver a large appliance to a customer’s home without help. The item weighs over 30kg, and you haven’t received any manual handling training. As you carry it up steps, you strain your lower back, resulting in a soft tissue injury that requires physiotherapy and time off work.
Collisions With Other Vehicles
- While making a fast food delivery on a scooter, a negligent driver fails to check their blind spot before switching lanes and knocks you over. You suffer multiple severe injuries, including a broken leg and head trauma, which require surgery and extended recovery.
Accidents Caused By Potholes
-
The local council had received multiple reports about a particularly large pothole. Despite this, they failed to repair it in time. While cycling during a delivery, your wheel hits the pothole, throwing you off and leading to a broken wrist and facial injuries.
Falls From Vehicles
-
After dropping off a parcel, you step down from the back of your van using a damaged step. It collapses, causing you to fall and suffer a sprained ankle that leaves you unable to work for several weeks. Your employer was aware of the damaged step, but had not repaired it before instructing you to use the van.
Being Knocked Over On Foot
-
While returning to your car after delivering a package, a vehicle reverses out of a driveway without looking. You’re knocked to the ground, sustaining a concussion and elbow bruising.
Slips, Trips Or Falls
- While delivering a parcel at night, you trip on a loose paving slab in poor lighting. You fall and injure your knee and hands. The property owner had not maintained the path or provided any warning.
Hit By Falling Objects
-
While at the factory warehouse having your van stacked, your colleague using a forklift truck accidentally dropped a heavy load on your foot. The heavy boxes resulted in several bones in your foot breaking, that prevented you from working for weeks.
Had a similar accident while delivering? Don’t wait. Speak to our advisory team today for free, expert advice on making a claim.
Can I Be Sacked After Claiming For An Accident?
No, you cannot legally be sacked for making a legitimate personal injury claim following a delivery driver accident. All workers have a right to pursue compensation without fear of retaliation, and dismissing someone for doing so may amount to unfair dismissal.
If your employer tries to pressure you, reduce your hours, or terminate your contract because you made a claim, you may have grounds to take further legal action. Even if you are self employed or work in the gig economy, you may still have protection depending on your working arrangement.
Don’t let fear of dismissal stop you from seeking compensation.Speak to our advisory team today for confidential advice.
How Can I Make A Delivery Driver Accident Claim?
To make a successful delivery driver accident claim, you’ll need to show that another party was responsible for your injuries. This involves providing evidence that proves both the extent of your injuries and that someone else’s breach of duty caused the accident.
Essential evidence may include:
- Medical records and hospital reports
- Photos or videos from the accident scene
- Witness contact details
- CCTV or dash-cam footage (if available)
- Insurance and registration details from the liable driver, if you were in a road traffic accident.
- Documentation of lost income, medical expenses, or time off work
Strong evidence is crucial to proving liability and strengthening your claim. Our panel of solicitors can assist you in gathering this evidence, whether it’s contacting witnesses, requesting CCTV footage, or obtaining expert medical assessments.
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you generally have 3 years from the date of the accident to start a personal injury claim. If you miss this deadline, your case may be time-barred unless an exception applies, such as for children or adults lacking mental capacity.
Need help starting your claim? Contact our expert team today. We’ll assess your case for free.
Can I Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, our panel of solicitors offer representation on a No Win No Fee basis, specifically through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means:
- No upfront or ongoing solicitor fees.
- No solicitor fees at all if your claim isn’t successful.
- A success fee is only payable if your claim wins. A success fee is a legally capped percentage deducted from your compensation.
Why wait? Call now to potentially start your No Win No Fee claim today with Legal Helpline.
Contact Our Advisors
Legal Helpline connects injured delivery drivers with a trusted panel of personal injury solicitors who specialise in delivery driver accident claims. Whether you’re unsure about eligibility, have questions about how much compensation you could claim, or need help gathering evidence, we’re here to help.
- Call 0333 0000729.
- Fill out the form on our Contact Us page.
- Message in our live chat box on the screen.
Learn More
Browse a few of our similar guides:
- Why reporting accidents in the workplace is important.
- Learn about split liability claims and how they work.
- Learn more about unsafe practices in the workplace and how they can be avoided.
Additionally, here are some useful external resources:
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – find out more about how risks should be managed at work.
- GOV.UK – apply for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
- NHS – how to get a copy of your medical records.
Injured in an accident as a delivery driver? You may be entitled to personal injury compensation. Our panel of solicitors specialise in delivery driver accident claims. So, get in touch today for free to see whether you can start a No Win No Fee claim.
