Professional drivers and psychological injuries

Some time ago, it emerged in the media that a number of professional drivers had suffered psychological injuries as a result of fatal accidents, with a focus on accidents where a driver of a passenger car deliberately collides with a lorry.

A 2012 report by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration found that 6 % of fatal accidents in the period 2005-2012 involving HGVs were self-inflicted. In the vast majority of cases, the driver of a passenger car killed himself in a collision with a lorry.

Regardless of whether a collision was voluntary or involuntary, drivers can experience serious psychological distress as a result. The report shows that around 45 per cent of professional drivers who had been involved in fatal accidents experienced psychological reactions that qualify for a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD). The professional drivers reported reduced ability to concentrate, depression, sleep problems, irritability and an unstable mood, as well as thinking about the accident while driving in a professional context. Some of the drivers felt that the accident led to a financial crisis, loss of income and difficult insurance settlements.

It is not only losses incurred as a result of physical injuries that entitle you to compensation. In many cases, psychological injuries can lead to long-term incapacity for work and thus major loss of income. Professional drivers who are injured at work can claim compensation under both the Motor Vehicle Liability Act and the Occupational Injuries Insurance Act. As the amount of compensation is somewhat different under each of the two systems, the injured party can choose the system that leads to the best compensation.

If you have been involved in such an accident and are suffering afterwards, it is important to contact your employer so that the accident is reported to NAV and your insurance company. If your employer does not report the injury, you can also do this yourself. A specialised lawyer can assist you with the compensation settlement, and free legal assistance is part of the compensation you are entitled to.