Everyone deserves to feel safe when using our roads. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and the consequences can be life changing. Our industry-leading experts are here to help you get the compensation you deserve, as well as access to high-quality treatment and support throughout your recovery.
The roads can be a dangerous place. According to Road Safety Scotland, there were 5,621 road casualties reported in 2022 alone, and of this number, 1,776 people were seriously injured.
Injuries caused in road traffic accidents can be catastrophic and life-changing, and no one should have to suffer due to someone else’s actions. Our team of expert road traffic accident solicitors have decades of experience in helping people who’ve suffered unnecessary injuries on our roads claim the compensation they deserve, as well as accessing crucial rehabilitation and treatment.
At Slater and Gordon, we understand the impact a road traffic accident can have on you and your family. We know just how difficult and emotional a time recovery can be, which is why we work hard to ensure the claims process is as smooth and stress-free as possible, taking the burden off you so that you can focus on what’s important.
What types of road accidents can lead to a compensation claim?
However you use the roads in the UK, whether you’re a pedestrian, passenger, driver or cyclist, no one should have to deal with the consequences of an accident due to someone else’s negligence. Our team in Scotland have a wealth of experience handling a wide range of cases, including:
Car accidents
Passenger claims
Pedestrian claims
Cycling accidents
Motorcycle claims
Public transport claims
Whiplash claims
What does a road traffic accident claim cover?
The purpose of any compensation claim is to recompense the injured party for their injury, as well as any negative impact this injury has on their ability to continue their day-to-day activities. This means that the amount of compensation will be largely dependent upon a person’s loss of amenity (quality of life) and any financial losses they’ve suffered as a result of their injury.
When you make a claim for a road traffic accident, the total compensation you receive will cover both ‘general damages’ and ‘special damages’.
‘General damages’ refers to the amount awarded for the injuries themselves. It reflects the level of pain and suffering you endured, how severe your injuries are, and the likelihood of a full recovery. ‘Special damages’ aim to reimburse you for any financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of your injuries, past, present and future. This could include the cost of any medical expenses, any travel costs, any adaptations you may need on your home or car, and any loss of earnings (now and in the future).
How do I make a whiplash claim in Scotland?
The laws that dictate how you can claim compensation for whiplash injuries are different in Scotland, after recent changes to legislation for England and Wales.
In Scotland, there are currently no restrictions for pursuing whiplash claims, which means the insurers of the vehicle at fault will have to contribute to the legal costs you incur during the claim. It is strongly recommended that you speak to a specialist road traffic accident solicitor. To help you with your claim, we’ll need the following information:
both your insurance information, and the insurance information of the other parties involved
photographs of the scene (if possible)
an injury report from your doctor, noting all injuries from the accident
You will also need to contact your insurance company and inform them about the accident. Once you have this information, the claims process can begin, but depending on the nature of your injuries and the traffic accident, more information may be needed throughout the process.
At Slater and Gordon Scotland, the majority of whiplash claims we pursue are done so on a No Win No Fee basis, which means there is no financial risk to you should you lose your case.
Very Professional, personable company who constantly communicated regularly with updates and were very quick in sorting out any problems. Great Company. Highly recommend them.
Client testimonial for (Laura Frizzel)
David at Slater & Gordon lawyers kept me up to date at every turn. His advice and professionalism was 2nd to none and I would have no hesitation with going back to him should the need arise.
Client testimonial for (David Cunningham)
Thank you so very much to Shuiken Chan for her outstanding professionalism in bringing my injury claim to an excellent conclusion. Shuiken has been amazing in every part of this process and has provided every support to keep me informed, advice and worry free throughout. I would definitely come to Slater and Gordon if ever need be and would highly recommend both them and Shuiken for excellent legal support.
Client testimonial (for Shuiken Chan)
Experiencing an accident on the road can be a harrowing experience and, in the aftermath, you need to know that you have a trusted and experienced road traffic solicitor by your side.
Consistently ranked highly in reputable independent legal directories such as Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, we’re accredited by both the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and The Law Society’s Lexcel program, while many of our solicitors also hold Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) accreditation.
We’re committed to providing our clients with a holistic and empathetic approach to their cases, which is why we work closely with medical experts to assess your injuries and determine the future care and rehabilitation you may require. As part of this process, we have an in-house rehabilitation co-ordinator, allowing us to provide immediate support to ensure you get the best start to your recovery.
We also work with several charities that support victims of road traffic accidents and those who’ve suffered from serious injuries, including Brake, Road Peace, Aftermath, After Matters, Headway, Spinal Injuries Association, The Limbless Association and more.
We offer 'No Win No Fee' funding on accident cases, meaning there's no financial risk to you.
Talk to the experts
We have teams of legal experts who specialise in representing those who’ve suffered injuries due to accidents at work, in public, on the road and more.
Speed of delivery
As specialists in accidents at work and public places, we'll ensure your case is dealt with swiftly, whilst ensuring you receive the maximum compensation.
Your local law firm
We are a reputable national law firm, with expert lawyers in local areas across Scotland.
Speak to one of our personal injury solicitors today
Frequently asked questions about road traffic accident claims
What is the difference between a claim in Scotland and a claim in England or Wales?
There are different laws governing how road traffic accident claims are handled in Scotland, England and Wales. In England and Wales, legislation brought in in 2021 means that anyone making a claim worth less than £5,000 can no longer recover legal costs from the party at fault. As a result, most law firms no longer handled small claims in England and Wales.
These rules do not apply in Scotland, and any claim – no matter it’s value – can still be brought against a liable party with the support of a specialist road traffic accident solicitor.
If you were partly at fault for the accident that caused your injuries, you may still be able to make a claim for compensation. However, the amount you receive will be reduced to reflect the level of responsibility you are deemed to have for the accident. This is known as contributory negligence.
How long your claim takes to process can vary substantially, depending on a number of different factors. For example, one of the first stages of a claim is establishing liability (i.e. who is at fault). In straightforward cases, this can happen quite quickly, though where liability is contested, it can take time.
Regardless of the circumstances behind your claim, our solicitors always endeavour to handle your case swiftly and efficiently and will keep you updated throughout the process.
Is there a time limit for making a road traffic accident claim in Scotland?
The standard time limit for making a compensation claim is three years from the date of your accident.
There are exceptions to this rule. For instance, there are no time constraints when making a claim on behalf of a child. However, the three-year deadline will begin on their 16th birthday.
There are no time constraints on making a claim on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to do so for themselves.
To learn more about any deadlines that may pertain to your case, contact a member of our team on 0330 041 5869 or get in touch online.
How much will my road traffic accident claim be worth?
It can be difficult to establish how much compensation you could be owed without reviewing the details of your case. This is because the amount you could receive will be largely dependent upon the severity of your injuries and the level of impact they have had on your day-to-day life.
We know that many people are often concerned about the cost of pursuing legal action, and don’t believe anyone should feel they are not able to access the compensation they deserve due to financial risk. That is why the majority of the road traffic accident claims we pursue are done so by way of a No Win No Fee agreement.
Under this agreement, there are no upfront legal fees to pay, and if your claim doesn’t succeed, you won’t have to pay a penny in costs, meaning there is never any financial risk to you. To learn more, you can visit our No Win No Fee page or speak to a member of our team on 0330 041 5869.
Very Professional, personable company who constantly communicated regularly with updates and were very quick in sorting out any problems. Great Company. Highly recommend them. Client testimonial for (Laura Frizzel)
David at Slater & Gordon lawyers kept me up to date at every turn. His advice and professionalism was 2nd to none and I would have no hesitation with going back to him should the need arise. Client testimonial for (David Cunningham)
Thank you so very much to Shuiken Chan for her outstanding professionalism in bringing my injury claim to an excellent conclusion. Shuiken has been amazing in every part of this process and has provided every support to keep me informed, advice and worry free throughout. I would definitely come to Slater and Gordon if ever need be and would highly recommend both them and Shuiken for excellent legal support. Client testimonial (for Shuiken Chan)