Road Traffic Accident Claims — Scotland

Involvement in a road traffic accident can be a stressful and painful experience. If the accident wasn't your fault, you are entitled to claim compensation from the negligent party through road traffic accident claims in Scotland. 

The Help and Guidance I Required

"I was involved in a car accident and Waterman’s dealt with the claim from an injury I incurred as a result of the accident. I found them to be professional, informative and kept me up to date at every stage with help and guidance I required."

C Holmes, Personal Injury Claim

The Short of It

  • If you were involved in a road traffic accident that wasn't your fault as a pedestrian, a cyclist, or a driver,

    then you are entitled to claim compensation.

  • It is possible to claim for personal injury, vehicle damage, loss of earnings, medical treatment

    and more after a road traffic accident. 

  • At Watermans, our specialist solicitors are highly experienced in handling road traffic accident claims

    to help you to seek the compensation that you deserve.

  • Everything we do at Watermans is about getting you the resolution you need

    and providing straightforward legal advice. It should be that simple.

  • The Long of It 

    Road Traffic Accidents

    Road traffic accident claims

    Involvement in a road traffic accident (RTA) can be a stressful, harrowing ordeal, especially if it wasn’t your fault. The physical injuries you can sustain can range from minor whiplash to serious head and brain injuries and, in some cases, even death.

    Common road traffic accident injuries

    Here are some common injuries sustained in road traffic accidents:

    • Whiplash – Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, caused by the sudden jerking of the head and neck upon impact. Your symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
    • Cuts and bruises – Glass, metal, and other debris can cause cuts and bruises in a crash. While these injuries may seem minor, they can still be grounds for car accident claims.
    • Broken bones – The force of a collision can cause fractures, which may require extensive medical treatment and time off work. If you’ve suffered a broken bone in a road traffic accident in Scotland, you could be entitled to compensation.
    • Soft tissue injuries – Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments are common in road accidents. These injuries can be painful and can severely impact your daily movements.
    • Spinal cord injuries Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, drastically altering an individual’s life. If you’ve suffered injury to the spine in a crash, you may be able to make a substantial RTA claim.
    • Head and brain injuries Traumatic brain injuries can have long-lasting cognitive, emotional, and physical effects. If you’ve sustained a head injury in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be eligible for compensation.
    • Psychological trauma – The emotional impact of a road accident can be just as severe as physical injuries. If you’ve developed anxiety, depression, or PTSD following a crash, this can be factored into your car accident claim.
    • Fatal injuries Losing a loved one in a road traffic accident is devastating. If a family member has died due to someone else’s negligence on the roads, you may be able to make a road traffic injury claim on behalf of their estate.

    These injuries can result from various types of road traffic accidents, not just those involving cars. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists are also vulnerable to serious injuries when involved in collisions with vehicles.

    At Watermans, our road traffic accident solicitors are here to offer straightforward legal advice, to help you seek the road traffic injury compensation that you deserve.

    Making a Claim

    Who qualifies for road traffic injury claims?

    If you or a loved one has been involved in a road traffic accident within the last three years that wasn’t your fault, you have the right to pursue a compensation claim against the responsible party.

    All road users can claim compensation after being involved in a road traffic accident, whether you are a:

    • Driver or passenger in a car You may be eligible to make a car accident claim if you were driving a car or were a passenger in a vehicle involved in an accident caused by another party’s negligence.
    • Motorcyclist – Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. If you were riding a motorcycle and were injured due to another person’s fault, you could be entitled to significant compensation for damages.
    • Pedestrian – As a pedestrian, you have the right to use the roads safely. If you were struck by a vehicle or motorbike while walking, running, or standing near a road, you may have grounds for a road traffic accident claim.
    • Cyclist – Cyclists are often at risk of serious injury when sharing the road with motor vehicles. If you suffered an injury due to another party’s negligence, you could be eligible for compensation.
    • Bus passenger – If you were a passenger on a bus involved in a crash and suffered injuries, you may have a valid claim against the bus company, as they have a duty of care to ensure your safety.
    • Truck driver or other road user involved in a truck accident – Collisions with trucks can be catastrophic due to their size and weight. If you were injured in an accident involving a truck, you might be able to make a road traffic accident claim in Scotland.
    • Taxi passenger – Taxi drivers have a duty of care to their passengers. If you were a passenger in a taxi that was involved in an accident, you could claim compensation for any injuries sustained if the taxi driver was negligent.

    In addition to the above, you may also be able to make RTA claims if you were injured by a horse on the road.

    Essentially, anyone involved in a road traffic accident through no fault of their own has a right to be compensated for medical costs, loss of earnings, and any other expenses incurred due to the accident.

    How do I make a road traffic accident claim?

    At Watermans, we understand that making a financial compensation claim can seem like a daunting task, but that is where we come in.

    Our road traffic accident solicitors are here to help you and offer straightforward legal advice to guide you through the claims process. Plus, we work on a no-win no-fee basis, meaning that if we don’t win, you won’t have to worry about any solicitors fees.

    Remember, we are here to take the hassle out of the legal side of things for you and seek the compensation reward that you deserve for your suffering. Speak to one of our expert personal injury solicitors today.

    How Much Compensation?

    How much compensation can I claim for a road traffic accident?

    Compensation for road traffic accidents in Scotland is awarded on a case-by-case basis. The amount you could receive depends on the severity of your injuries, as well as other factors, like lost wages.

    If you or a loved one have been involved in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the negligent party. It’s possible to claim the following:

    • Compensation for pain and suffering stemming from an accident. The amount you could receive will depend on the type of injury and how severe it is.
    • Compensation for loss of earnings as a result of going on sick leave after an accident. If you can’t return to work at all, you might be able to claim for future loss of earnings, too.
    • Expenses resulting from an accident, including damage to property or clothing and the cost of attending medical appointments.
    • Costs of repairing your vehicle or pursuing a claim for the value of your vehicle if it’s written off.
    • Compensation for post-accident treatments that you might need, including physiotherapy and counselling.
    • Compensation for services provided by family members after an accident, such as helping you get washed/dressed, with housework, and with grocery shopping.

    Our road traffic accident lawyers fully investigate each case we work on to make sure that we get the maximum amount of compensation possible for you.

    Use our road traffic accident injury compensation calculator to estimate the value of your claim.

    Why Watermans?

    Why should I choose Watermans to pursue my personal injury claim?

    Watermans make legal services look and feel easy so people can move forward in life.

    Our expert team of personal injury lawyers is committed to doing everything to make the claims process straightforward for our clients following an accident. We take the hassle from you and fight each case to secure the maximum level of compensation.

    We also provide access to a range of additional services, such as physiotherapy and psychological treatment, to ensure you recover from your injuries as soon as possible and get your life back on track.

    Trusted Personal Injury Solicitors in Scotland

    Our expertise in personal injury covers a wide range of areas, including:

    With offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, we represent thousands of clients throughout Scotland each year, securing millions of pounds in compensation for our clients. We work on a no-win no-fee basis, which means that if your car accident injury claim is unsuccessful, you won’t end up out of pocket.

    How much could you 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.

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    FAQs About Road Traffic Accident Claims

    It is largely understood that there is a three-year time limit to make personal injury claims for compensation. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have three years following the date of your accident in which to start the claims process.

    In fact, you are required to have raised a court action or settled a claim for personal injury within this three-year timeframe. There are some exceptions to this rule, so we advise speaking to a specialist personal injury solicitor at Watermans, who will be able to advise you on your best course of action.

    To build a strong case for your road traffic accident claim in Scotland, you’ll need to gather various types of evidence. Some key pieces of evidence include:

    • Medical reports detailing your injuries, treatment, and prognosis
    • Police reports if the accident was reported to the authorities
    • Witness statements from anyone who saw the accident happen
    • Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries
    • Dashcam footage or CCTV recordings, if available
    • Receipts for any expenses related to your accident, such as medical bills, travel costs, or vehicle repairs

    A road traffic accident solicitor from Watermans will assist you in collecting and organising all necessary evidence to support your claim.

    If you are involved in a road traffic accident and the other driver leaves the scene without providing their details, you should seek medical attention and report the incident to the police as soon as possible.

    After reporting the incident to the police, you may still be able to make a claim for compensation through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB). The MIB is a UK-wide organisation that compensates victims of accidents caused by uninsured or untraceable drivers.

    Your personal injury solicitor can communicate with the MIB and the relevant insurance company on your behalf to ensure that you receive fair compensation.

    At Watermans, we understand the financial strain that a road traffic accident can place on you and your loved ones. That’s why we strive to make our services as accessible as possible.

    We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis for all our personal injury claims, including road traffic claims in Scotland. This means that you won’t have to pay any solicitors’ fees if your personal injury claim is unsuccessful.

    Our expert road traffic accident lawyers in Scotland also provide some free initial advice to help you understand your options when pursuing a claim. We’ll take the time to listen to your case and offer clear guidance on the best course of action for your specific circumstances.

    Start the process for your road traffic accident claims in Scotland with Watermans. Request a callback to get straightforward legal advice from our experienced solicitors.      

    Get in touch with us

    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

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    Our personal injury claims expert

    “I enjoy the challenge of putting my clients back in a position they would have been in, had they not been unfortunate to suffer an accident through no fault of their own.”

    John Dillon, Head of Dispute Resolution