If you were injured as a passenger in a road traffic accident, you may be entitled to make a passenger accident claim. Injured passengers have the same legal rights as drivers to seek compensation. Whether you were in a private car, taxi or public transport vehicle, trust Watermans passenger injury 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 need to worry about claiming if the driver is your friend or family.
Our experienced personal injury solicitors handle
a wide range of passenger 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. According to Transport Scotland’s Reported Road Casualties Scotland report, 1759 people were seriously injured on Scottish roads in 2022. Car users accounted for more than half of all casualties that were recorded that year.
If you were injured as a passenger due to negligent driving, whether in a private car, taxi or bus, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Watermans, our expert legal team handles a wide range of passenger accident claims.
Common scenarios include:
Bus and taxi drivers, like all public transport operators, owe a duty of care to passengers. 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 accident solicitor about your options.
Common Passenger Injuries
Road accident claims may involve a range of physical injuries and psychological trauma. Below are some of the most common injuries passengers may claim for.
Whiplash injuries are often caused by sudden jerking motions in a collision and can lead to neck pain, headaches, and limited mobility. Recovery time varies and can result in long-term discomfort.
These can affect various parts of the body and could result in a life-changing injury. They may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, and in some cases, long-term care.
These can include spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage or head injuries. They often result from severe car crashes 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, these injuries can lead to permanent scarring.
Soft tissue injuries can affect 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.
Compensation can help reduce the financial impact of your injuries, covering 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 of 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 claim amount varies depending on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your daily life. You can use our passenger injury claims calculator for an indicative estimate. The actual amounts depend on the specific circumstances of your case and cannot be guaranteed.
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 compensation for our clients.
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 the accident happened.
You may still be eligible to make a claim for accidents where you are partially responsible. 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 with you acting as a litigation friend, 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.
If you hold legal protection insurance, it may cover some or all of your legal costs, even if your claim is unsuccessful. Your solicitor can review your policy to determine what applies. Where it does not apply, we work on a no-win no-fee basis, so there are no upfront financial commitments.
If you’ve been injured as a passenger in a road accident, trust Watermans to simplify your claim process.
Contact our passenger injury solicitors 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
