If you were a passenger involved in a road traffic accident, you may be entitled to make a passenger accident claim. Injured passengers have the same legal rights to claim compensation as drivers. Whether you were in a private car, taxi or public transport vehicle, trust Watermans passenger accident solicitors to help you get the compensation you deserve.
“I’d like to thank Johnny Richardson in particular. He is very polite and friendly, and explained things in a way that I understood. He made the whole process hassle and stress free for me.”
L Duthie, Personal Injury Claim
If you were injured as a passenger in a road accident,
you could be entitled to compensation.
Car accident claims are made against the driver’s insurance company,
not the individual. So, you don't worry about claiming if the driver is your friend or family.
Our personal injury solicitors have extensive experience
handling car accident claims.
Everything we do at Watermans is about getting you the resolution you need and providing straightforward legal advice.
It should be that simple.
Passenger Accidents
Passengers are often one of the most vulnerable road users in a road traffic incident, yet many don’t realise they can claim compensation. At Watermans, our legal team handles a variety of passenger accident claims.
Common scenarios include:
Public transport operators must drive safely in order to protect passengers in their vehicles and other road users. Regardless of the accident type, if you have sustained an injury through no fault of your own, it’s time to speak to a passenger injuries lawyer.
Common Passenger Injuries
Road accident claims may involve a range of physical injuries and psychological trauma. Below are some of the most common injuries that passengers can successfully claim for.
Whiplash is often caused by sudden jerking motions in a collision and can lead to neck pain, headaches, and limited mobility. The recovery time can vary, but it can sometimes result in long-term discomfort for the injured passenger.
These can affect various parts of the body and could result in a life-changing injury. They may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
These can include spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage or head injuries. They often result from severe car accidents or instances of reckless driving and may lead to long-term disability or life-changing consequences. Such injuries require medical evidence to support road accident claims.
Cuts and bruises, while often minor injuries, can still be painful and require medical attention. These may be caused by impact with vehicle interiors or shattered glass during a road accident. In some cases, injuries caused by these scenarios can lead to permanent scarring.
Soft tissue injuries can affect passengers who have suffered injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These are often caused by the force of impact in a car accident. These injuries may not be immediately apparent but can worsen over time.
Psychological trauma is a serious consequence of experiencing an injury as a passenger. This can include anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s often overlooked in passenger claims, but psychological damage can affect your quality of life significantly after a road traffic accident.
It’s important to remember that the injuries passengers suffer due to road traffic accidents may often only be minor, but they can also be severe and life-changing. Compensation is vital to support you throughout any rehabilitation and to cover any medical costs, lost earnings or other expenses as you recover.
Making a Claim
If you or another party was injured as a passenger in a road traffic accident within the last three years, you might be confused about the next steps. Our guide below provides a detailed explanation for the claims process, so you can take the next step with confidence.
Here’s how it works:
For minors who have suffered an injury, a parent or guardian can act as a litigation friend to claim on their behalf. Should the other party deny liability, our team will collect evidence to prove liability. Our team is fully equipped with specialist knowledge to navigate the intricacies of Scots law.
How Much Compensation?
The compensation amount varies depending on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your daily life.
Some of the factors considered for your compensation include:
Why Watermans?
Watermans simplifies legal services so you can move forward in life with confidence.
We are your trusted law firm in Scotland. With extensive experience handling road traffic accident claims, we ensure you receive the compensation you deserve following the traumatic experience.
We also provide access to a range of additional services, such as physiotherapy, to ensure a speedy recovery and help you get your life back on track.
Our expertise in personal injury covers a wide range of areas, including:
We represent thousands of clients throughout Scotland each year, securing millions of pounds in compensation for our clients. Our expert lawyers work on a no-win, no-fee basis, with no upfront costs and a no-obligation chat. This means no financial risk for you if your claim is unsuccessful.
In Scotland, the time limit to make passenger injury compensation claims is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have three years following the date of your accident in which to start the claims process.
Instead, you must have either settled a claim for personal injury or raised a court action within this three-year timeframe. To ensure you don’t miss out on your right to claim, it’s advisable to speak with a passenger accident lawyer at Watermans as soon as possible after your accident.
If you lack the mental capacity, someone close to you can be appointed as a litigation friend. They can claim on your behalf and guide it through the legal process with our support. Alternatively, if you have a pre-appointed power of attorney with the authority to make legal decisions on your behalf, they may do so.
You may still be eligible to make a claim for accidents caused by partial responsibility. Contributory negligence does not prevent you from claiming. If the court finds you partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced but not denied entirely.
Yes. In hit-and-run cases or where the responsible driver is uninsured, you can still claim through the Motor Insurers Bureau.
Your child can still claim compensation through your motor insurance policy, but not by you acting as a guardian, since this will be a conflict of interest. Instead, a neutral third party, such as the other parent or a close relative, must act as their litigation friend to claim on behalf of your child.
Yes. If the accident took place in Scotland, you can still claim under Scots law, even if you live elsewhere. A solicitor experienced in Scottish road traffic accidents can guide you through the process.
Trust Watermans to simplify your claim process after an accident.
Contact our passenger injury solicitors today to start your claim.
The figures quoted are a rough guide to show you the amount you could receive as compensation for your injury. Our solicitors will advise you in more detail about your specific claim.
Your claim could be worth...
Claim Worth
The figures quoted are a rough guide to show you the amount you could receive as compensation for your injury. Our solicitors will advise you in more detail about your specific claim.
Everything we do at Watermans is about getting you the resolution you need and making that process straightforward. Start the process by sending us your details below or calling us on 0131 555 7055
“Making a claim for compensation can be such a daunting process for people, so I try to make it as straightforward and easy to understand as I can for them.”
Susanne McGraw, Head of Personal Injury
