Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by tanya

Can A Mobile Tyre Technician Claim If Injured on the Roadside?

 

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced under the oversight of Michael Jefferies, First Personal Injury Director, who brings more than 30 years of legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

 

What Are the Risks of Mobile Tyre Fitting and When Is It Employer Negligence?

Mobile tyre fitters play a vital role in keeping commercial vehicles moving across England and Wales, but if there’s an accident can a mobile tyre technician claim if injured on the roadside while working?  Whether attending a broken-down HGV on the hard shoulder, replacing a damaged tyre at a roadside lay-by, or carrying out emergency repairs on a motorway network, mobile tyre technicians face risk while on the job. While roadside tyre repairs are often necessary, sometimes the safest option is to recover the vehicle rather than expose employees to unacceptable risks. When an employer, operator, or service company fails to prioritise safety and a worker suffers injury as a result, employer negligence may be to blame.

Below, we explain when a roadside tyre repair accident could potentially amount to employer negligence and how injured workers can start a personal injury compensation claim.

 

Real Life Example of Risks of Roadside Tyre Fitting

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently reported on a tragic case where a 21-year-old employee of a commercial tyre service died when struck by a truck he was beneath during a call-out on the M56 motorway in Cheshire. While positioned beneath the truck, it slipped from the bottle jack (hydraulic lifting tool) used to lift it, resulting in the truck landing on him and causing fatal head injuries.

The HSE investigation found that the employee had only obtained his licence to work on commercial tyres at the roadside when he joined the company, less than four months before his death. It found that the company had not properly assessed the risks associated with replacing a blown-out tyre on a low profile vehicle and had also failed to provide employees with suitable work instructions.

According to the HSE principal investigator: “This case should serve to highlight to employers the importance of properly assessing the risks to which their workers are exposed and providing the right information and instructions, supplemented by adequate monitoring and supervision arrangements to ensure they can and do the work properly”.

 

Roadside tyre repair work is inherently hazardous. Employees often work close to moving traffic, in poor weather conditions, during darkness, or on unstable ground and hazards typically include:

• Being struck by passing vehicles
• Injuries while lifting heavy tyres or equipment
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven surfaces
• Crush injuries caused by vehicle movement
• Defective jacks or lifting equipment
• Tyre explosions during inflation
• Fatigue caused by long working hours
• Poor visibility at roadside locations

 

When Could an Employer Be Negligent?

Employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to protect workers from foreseeable risks wherever reasonably practicable. But, not every workplace accident automatically results from negligence. Essentially, an employer may be liable if they failed to take reasonable steps to protect employees from known risks.

Examples of employer negligence may include:

 

1. Failing to Conduct Proper Risk Assessments

Roadside tyre repairs present obvious hazards and employers should check:

 

• Traffic speed and volume
• Visibility conditions
• Road layout
• Weather conditions
• Availability of safe working space
• Escape routes if vehicles approach

 

2. Inadequate Training

Mobile technicians should receive comprehensive training covering:

 

• Safe roadside working procedures
• Traffic management measures
• HGV wheel and tyre safety
• Manual handling techniques
• Emergency procedures
• Use of lifting equipment

 

3. Lack of Suitable Equipment

Employers should also provide proper safety equipment including:

• High-visibility clothing
• Warning signs and cones
• Portable lighting
• Safe lifting equipment
• Communications devices

 

When Should a Truck Be Recovered Rather Than Repaired Roadside?

One of the most important safety decisions is determining whether roadside repairs can be carried out safely at all. There’s no universal rule that every tyre failure should be repaired at the roadside. Employers generally consider whether the location presents an unacceptable level of risk. This may involve factors such as available working space, traffic (high speed) and weather conditions, night operations, whether the vehicle or ground is unstable.

 

What Should You Do After A Roadside Repair Injury?

If you’re a mobile repair technician and have suffered an injury while carrying out a roadside tyre repair, below are the steps you should take when it comes to making a claim for compensation:

 

Seek medical attention: your health should always come first and even a minor injury may get worse later, so make sure any injuries are documented by a medical professional.

Report the incident to: Your supervisor, manager and health and safety manager.

Gather evidence: This can include photographs of the scene and vehicles involved, dashcam footage, CCTV footage, witness details, copies of safety documents

Keep financial records: you can claim compensation not only for pain and suffering, but also lost earnings, travel expenses, medical costs and any rehabilitation expenses.

 

How To Start A Personal Injury Claim

If negligence contributed to your injury, you may be entitled to claim compensation. The process generally follows the following:

Initial Legal Assessment

We partner with experienced work injury solicitos who offer a free, initial consultation when they will review:

 

• The circumstances of the accident
• Evidence of negligence
• Medical evidence
• Financial losses

 

Evidence Gathering

Your solicitor will help to obtain:

 

• Accident reports
• Risk assessments
• Training records
• Maintenance records
• Medical reports
• Witness statements

 

Medical Examination

Your solicitor will also helpt to arrange an assessment by an independent medical expert who will assess your case and prepare a report detailing:

• Diagnosis
• Treatment needs
• Prognosis
• Long-term effects

 

Negotiating Compensation

Claims are often settled through negotiation without requiring a court hearing and compensation may include

 

FAQs:  Can Mobile Tyre Technicians Claim If Injured While Working?

How Long Do I Have To Claim?

Most personal injury claims in England and Wales must be started within three years of the accident date, although certain exceptions may apply.

Can I refuse to carry out a roadside tyre repair if I believe it’s unsafe?

Employees should raise safety concerns immediately. If a location presents a serious and imminent danger, recovery of the vehicle may be the safer option.

When should a truck be recovered instead of repaired on the roadside?

Recovery should be considered where there is limited working space, high-speed traffic, poor visibility, unstable ground, severe weather, or concerns about vehicle stability.

Can I claim compensation if I was injured during a roadside tyre repair?

You may be able to claim if your injury resulted from employer negligence, inadequate training, faulty equipment, or an unsafe system of work.

What evidence can help support my claim?

Photographs, witness details, accident reports, medical records, CCTV footage, and training records can all help demonstrate how the accident occurred.

Can I claim for lost earnings after a roadside accident?

Yes. Compensation may cover loss of earnings, medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and the pain and suffering caused by your injuries.

 

How To Get Started

Roadside tyre repairs are not routine maintenance tasks carried out in controlled workshop environments. They often place technicians in unpredictable situations where serious injury can occur. Employers have a legal duty to assess risks properly, provide appropriate training and equipment, and ensure workers are not exposed to avoidable hazards.

If you have been injured while carrying out a roadside tyre repair because reasonable safety precautions were not taken, specialist legal advice can help establish whether employer negligence played a role and whether you may be entitled to personal injury compensation.

With experienced legal assistance, you can navigate the process with confidence, so don’t wait until it’s too late. The sooner you start your claim, the stronger your case will be.

📞 Call us today on 0333 3582345 to have your case assessed.

💻 Or contact us online and we will call you back.

 

This post gives general information, not legal advice. For specific legal guidance about your specific situation, speak to a personal injury solicitor.