Work Vehicle Accident Claims

If you’ve been injured while driving or working around a vehicle as part of your job, we know how quickly things can change. One moment you’re doing your usual route or task—the next, you’re left dealing with pain, stress, and time off work. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we understand the impact a work vehicle accident can have, and we’re here to help you through it.

For over 20 years, we’ve supported people in Tallaght and across Dublin who’ve been hurt in the course of their work—whether it was in a van, lorry, forklift, or site vehicle. We know the local roads, we understand how jobs are run, and we take the time to listen to what really happened.

You won’t get brushed off or bombarded with legal jargon. Instead, you’ll get straight, practical advice from a team that’s local, experienced, and fully on your side. We’ll explain your options clearly and help you figure out what’s best for you—at your pace, in your time.

If you’ve been injured in a work vehicle accident, talk to John O’Leary Solicitors LLP today. We’re here to help, and we’ll take it from there.

What Is a Work Vehicle Accident And How Does It Happen?

Work vehicle accidents happen more often than many realise, and they can take all shapes. Some involve road collisions while delivering goods, others happen in yards, warehouses, or building sites where forklifts, telehandlers, or plant machinery are constantly on the move. Whether you’re driving, operating, assisting, or simply walking nearby, the risk is real.

A work vehicle accident isn’t just about crashing into something. It could mean being crushed while guiding a lorry, falling from a step while loading a van, or being pinned by a reversing forklift. You might even be injured while climbing into a poorly maintained cab, or because a faulty brake wasn’t spotted during a rushed shift change.

These incidents can involve:

  • Vans, lorries, and HGVs
  • Forklifts, pallet trucks, and yard tugs
  • Dumper trucks, excavators, and other site vehicles
  • Delivery vehicles operating on public or private roads
  • Moving plant on farms, quarries, or industrial facilities

Accidents can happen off-site too. If you’re travelling between jobs, collecting materials, or making deliveries, and you’re injured in a crash, that still counts as a work-related vehicle accident. Even if you’re not the driver—such as being a passenger or a pedestrian hit by a reversing work vehicle—you may still have a right to bring a claim.

The causes vary, but common themes include time pressure, unclear site layout, poor lighting, faulty equipment, or lack of proper training. Sadly, many workers are never shown how to safely operate or work around these vehicles—and when something goes wrong, they’re left to deal with the aftermath alone.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve supported people across Tallaght and Dublin who’ve been injured in these kinds of accidents. Whether it happened on a busy site or a quiet back road, during deliveries or on your own employer’s premises, we’ll help you make sense of what went wrong and what can be done about it.

Common Injuries and Health Impacts We See in These Claims

Work vehicle accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries—some obvious straight away, others only showing up days or weeks later. Whether it’s a sudden impact or a strain that builds up over time, the effects can be serious and long-lasting.

Immediate Physical Injuries

Many of the injuries we see are caused by direct impact. These include:

  • Crush injuries, which often occur when someone is pinned between a vehicle and a fixed object, or struck by a reversing forklift or lorry. These can result in broken bones, internal injuries, or even amputation.
  • Fractures and dislocations, particularly to wrists, legs, ribs, and shoulders, after being struck or thrown by a moving vehicle or in a loading incident.
  • Spinal injuries, which may range from lower back trauma to more serious disc damage or nerve compression. These are particularly common in HGV crashes or when vehicles overturn.
  • Head injuries and concussion, even with a helmet, especially where the impact causes sudden movement or a fall.
  • Lacerations and deep wounds, from broken glass, sharp edges, or vehicle components during or after an impact.

These injuries often require hospital treatment, time off work, and, in many cases, long-term physiotherapy or pain management. But the problems don’t always stop there.

Longer-term or Cumulative Injuries

Not all work vehicle injuries are instant. Many build up gradually, especially in jobs involving repetitive lifting, poor posture, or prolonged time behind the wheel:

  • Chronic musculoskeletal injuries: Driving a van or lorry for hours each day without proper seat support or rest breaks can lead to chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain.
  • Knee and joint issues: Constant climbing in and out of high cabs, or operating foot pedals in cramped spaces, can damage joints over time.
  • Repetitive strain injuries: These are common among workers who load and unload vehicles manually, particularly where proper technique or tools aren’t provided.

Psychological Effects

It’s not just the body that suffers. Being involved in a serious crash or witnessing a traumatic workplace incident can leave emotional scars:

  • Post-traumatic stress, especially in high-impact or fatal accident settings
  • Anxiety or panic when returning to driving or working on site
  • Sleep issues, low mood, or emotional withdrawal

We’ve seen many people try to brush off these symptoms—but they’re real, and they deserve to be taken seriously.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we approach every case with care and thoroughness. We don’t just look at what happened—we look at how it’s affected your life, and we fight to get you the support you need to move forward.

Why These Accidents Happen

Most work vehicle accidents aren’t caused by reckless workers—they’re caused by gaps in training, poor planning, or equipment that should have been fixed or taken out of service. We’ve seen the same issues come up time and time again. These are some of the most common causes behind the claims we handle.

Lack of Training or Supervision

One of the biggest problems is that workers are expected to operate or work around vehicles without proper instruction. This is especially common with:

  • Forklifts or pallet trucks on warehouse floors
  • Diggers or dumpers on building sites
  • Vans and HGVs used for delivery or collections

When someone is put behind the wheel, or beside heavy machinery, without detailed training, supervision, or a proper safety briefing, it puts everyone at risk. Employers have a legal duty to ensure workers know how to operate safely—not just assume they’ll “figure it out.”

Poorly Maintained or Unsafe Vehicles

We regularly see accidents involving:

  • Forklifts with faulty brakes or damaged reversing alarms
  • Vans with worn tyres, broken door mechanisms, or steering issues
  • Site vehicles with no mirrors, indicators, or safety guards

If a vehicle is unsafe and still being used, that’s not your fault. Employers are responsible for maintaining work vehicles and removing dangerous ones from service. This includes arranging regular inspections and logging faults—not ignoring them.

Unsafe Work Environments

Accidents often happen because of site layout or pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines. Common issues include:

  • Poor visibility around corners or loading bays
  • No separation between vehicles and pedestrian routes
  • Lack of proper lighting in early or late shifts
  • Slippery, uneven, or cluttered ground
  • Staff being rushed to move or load vehicles without enough time

Many of these accidents are preventable with basic planning, signage, and coordination.

Multiple Employers or Confused Responsibilities

On construction sites, logistics yards, and depots, several contractors may be working side by side. If there’s no clear agreement on who controls vehicle safety, or no one takes responsibility for the area, accidents happen.

Workers may be injured by a subcontractor’s vehicle or while moving goods from one company’s trailer to another’s loading bay. You might not even know who to report a hazard to—that’s a sign of poor management.

Who Can Claim And Who Might Be Liable?

If you’ve been injured in a work vehicle accident, you might not be sure whether you’re entitled to make a claim—or who exactly is at fault. The truth is, many people in your position feel the same way. You don’t have to have everything figured out before speaking to a solicitor. That’s where we come in.

Who Can Bring a Claim?

You don’t need to be a permanent employee to bring a work vehicle accident claim. You may be entitled to compensation if you were injured while working in one of the following capacities:

  • Full-time, part-time, or agency workeroperating or working around vehicles
  • Delivery driver or courierinjured on the road or while loading/unloading
  • Tradesperson or subcontractorworking on a site with shared vehicle access
  • Self-employed workerif injured due to unsafe conditions or another party’s negligence
  • Warehouse, yard, or logistics staffinvolved in moving goods or guiding vehicles
  • Pedestrian on sitestruck by a reversing or unattended vehicle

The key question is whether you were hurt as a result of someone else’s failure to keep your workplace safe.

Who Might Be Liable?

In many cases, the responsibility lies with the employer. Under Irish law, employers must provide a safe working environment. That includes:

  • Supplying safe, roadworthy vehicles
  • Carrying out risk assessments
  • Providing clear training and supervision
  • Keeping yards and workspaces safe for vehicle movement
  • Ensuring proper systems are in place for traffic management

But liability doesn’t always stop there. Depending on the circumstances, others may also be responsible.

Site Managers or Principal Contractors

If your injury happened on a building site, shared yard, or depot, and another company was in charge of safety, they may be liable—especially if they failed to coordinate activity, set traffic controls, or mark out danger zones.

Other Workers or Drivers

If another driver acted carelessly—such as reversing without a banksman, speeding, or failing to check blind spots—you may have a case against their employer or their insurance provider.

Equipment Manufacturers or Maintenance Providers

If a mechanical fault contributed to your accident (e.g. failed brakes, steering, or reverse sensors), the supplier or maintenance contractor may be held accountable.

No matter how complex it seems, we’ll help you get to the bottom of who’s responsible—and make sure you’re not left to carry the consequences alone.

What to Do After a Work Vehicle Accident

After a work vehicle accident, it’s natural to feel shaken, unsure, or even reluctant to make a fuss—especially if you’re still on the clock or worried about upsetting your employer. But protecting your health and your future means taking a few key steps, even if the injury doesn’t seem serious at first.

1. Get Medical Attention Straight Away

Don’t brush it off or wait until your shift ends. Even if the injury feels minor, a GP or hospital visit creates a record that can be crucial later on. Symptoms like concussion, back strain, or soft tissue damage often take time to fully develop.

2. Report the Incident

Notify your supervisor or manager as soon as possible. Ideally, report it in writing and keep a copy for yourself. Include:

  • Date, time, and exact location
  • The vehicle involved
  • A short summary of what happened
  • Anyone who witnessed it

This helps establish the facts early and avoids confusion later.

3. Preserve Evidence

If you can do so safely:

  • Take photos of the vehicle, area, and any damage
  • Keep torn or damaged clothing or PPE
  • Note any skid marks, faulty equipment, or hazards on site
  • Ask witnesses for their names and contact details

This could help show exactly what went wrong and why.

4. Track Your Symptoms and Costs

Start a personal record of how the injury is affecting you. Include:

  • Pain or physical restrictions
  • Missed work or reduced hours
  • GP or physio visits
  • Out-of-pocket expenses like travel, prescriptions, or childcare

This information will be important when assessing your claim.

5. Get Legal Advice Before Signing Anything

You may be asked to sign an incident form, speak to an insurance rep, or accept a quick payout. It’s always better to speak to a solicitor first. A brief conversation can help you avoid agreeing to something that doesn’t reflect the full impact of the accident.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ll explain everything in plain English and take the pressure off. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

How a Work Vehicle Accident Can Affect Your Life

A work vehicle accident can turn your world upside down. It’s not just the injury itself—it’s everything that follows. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve helped clients across Tallaght and Dublin who’ve found themselves suddenly out of work, in pain, and unsure how to cope with the fallout. The effects can be far-reaching.

Impact on Your Job and Income

Whether you drive for a living, work on a site, or operate heavy machinery in a yard, your body is your livelihood. When that’s taken away—even temporarily—the pressure builds fast. You may be:

  • Signed off work for weeks or months
  • On reduced pay or sick leave
  • Unable to return to driving or physical duties
  • Forced to consider a different type of job altogether

Even after recovery, some clients struggle with re-training, reduced job options, or physical restrictions that make returning to the same role impossible.

Stress on Family and Daily Life

Injuries that limit movement, cause chronic pain, or impact mental health affect more than your job. They can make everyday life harder. We’ve seen clients who:

  • Couldn’t lift their children or drive the school run
  • Became reliant on a partner or relative for day-to-day tasks
  • Missed important family moments due to fatigue or hospital appointments
  • Faced mounting financial strain, especially in single-income households

It’s not just about lost wages. It’s the cost of taxis, pain medication, parking at hospital clinics, missed work for your partner, or childcare during appointments.

Mental and Emotional Toll

Physical injuries often come with invisible ones. Anxiety, low mood, fear of going back to work or driving again—these are all real. Many people don’t realise how long the emotional recovery takes, or how deeply it affects confidence and self-worth.

If you’ve felt frustrated, stuck, or overwhelmed since your accident, you’re not alone—and you’re not expected to cope without support.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we take all of this into account. Your claim isn’t just about the accident—it’s about what it’s cost you and those around you.

Time Limits for Bringing a Claim

In Ireland, you generally have two years from the date of a work vehicle accident to bring a claim. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you may lose the right to pursue compensation—regardless of how strong your case is.

In some situations, the two-year period starts from the date you first became aware of the injury or its connection to your work. This can apply in cases where symptoms develop gradually or a diagnosis comes later.

For fatal accidents, the time limit is two years from the date of death or, in some cases, the date of the post-mortem or inquest.

Delays are common when people are unsure who was at fault or feel pressured not to act. That’s why early legal advice matters. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we can confirm whether you’re still within time—and help you take the right steps without delay.

Speak with a Local Solicitor Who Understands Your Work

If you’ve been injured in a work vehicle accident, speak to John O’Leary Solicitors LLP. We’ve helped people across Tallaght and Dublin for over 20 years. You’ll get clear, honest advice from someone who understands your job and takes your situation seriously.