Based on reporting by STV News, 19 September 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to STV News, emergency services attended the scene of a bus crash on Church Street in Glenrothes, close to the town's bus station, on the afternoon of Saturday 19 September 2026. The incident involved a Stagecoach double-decker bus, which was reported to have sustained significant damage to its front, including cracked windows and a damaged headsign. The vehicle was reportedly parked on the pavement following the crash.
STV News reported that broken branches and what is understood to have been a metal lamppost were visible on the ground near the bus. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed to STV News that it received a call at 1.13pm and mobilised three appliances and a heavy rescue unit to the scene. Police Scotland and ambulance crews were also reported to be in attendance.
At the time of publication, STV News stated that it was not yet known whether any injuries had been sustained. Police Scotland and Stagecoach were both contacted for comment, and the investigation into the circumstances of the crash was understood to be ongoing.
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
When a crash involves a public bus, the question of who may bear legal responsibility is rarely straightforward. In incidents of this kind, liability can rest with a number of parties depending on what investigations reveal. This may include the operator responsible for maintaining and insuring the vehicle, a local authority if road infrastructure such as signage or lighting is found to have played a role, or another road user if a third-party vehicle was involved.
Passengers on a bus are owed a duty of care by the operator under Scots law. If a passenger suffers injury and it can be shown that the accident resulted from a failure to meet that duty, a claim for compensation may be possible. Pedestrians or other road users who are injured in similar circumstances may also have grounds to pursue a claim, depending on the specific facts established by police and other investigations.
In Scotland, personal injury claims of this nature are governed by Scots law and are typically handled through insurers or, where liability is disputed, through the civil courts. It is worth noting that some Scottish personal injury firms deduct up to 20% from the compensation awarded to their clients as a success fee. There are firms, however, that operate on the basis that clients keep 100% of their compensation, with a 0% success fee, meaning no deduction is made from the award.
Time limits
Anyone who believes they may have a personal injury claim arising from a bus accident in Scotland must be mindful of the time limits set out in the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. As a general rule, a claim must be raised within three years of the date of the accident, or three years from the date on which the injured person became aware that they had sustained an injury that may entitle them to compensation.
There are limited exceptions to this rule. Where a child is injured, the three-year period does not begin to run until they reach the age of 16. In cases where an injured person lacks legal capacity, the court has discretion to allow a claim to proceed outside the standard time limit. These exceptions aside, the three-year rule is strictly applied, and a claim that falls outside the limit is very unlikely to succeed regardless of its merits.
It is always advisable to seek legal advice as early as possible, even if the full extent of any injury is not yet known. Acting promptly helps to preserve evidence and ensures that important deadlines are not missed.
What compensation can cover
In a successful personal injury claim arising from a bus accident, the compensation awarded typically covers several distinct categories of loss. These include the following.
- Solatium - this is the sum awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, reflecting the physical and psychological impact of the injury itself.
- Loss of earnings - where an injury prevents someone from working, either temporarily or in the longer term, past and future lost income can be included in a claim.
- Care and assistance - if an injured person requires help with daily tasks from family members or professional carers as a result of their injuries, the value of that care can be claimed.
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation - reasonable costs for physiotherapy, specialist appointments, medication or other treatment can form part of a claim.
- Travel expenses - costs incurred travelling to medical appointments or other necessary journeys connected to the injury are recoverable.
The value of any individual claim depends entirely on the specific circumstances, the nature and severity of the injury, and the evidence available. It is not possible to give a meaningful estimate without a proper assessment of the facts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation if I was a passenger on the bus?
If you were a passenger and suffered an injury, you may have grounds for a claim depending on the circumstances of the crash. Bus operators owe passengers a duty of care, and where a breach of that duty can be demonstrated, a compensation claim may be possible. A personal injury solicitor with experience in Scots law can assess whether your situation gives rise to a valid claim.
What if I was a pedestrian injured near the bus?
Pedestrians injured in or around a bus accident may also be entitled to pursue a compensation claim. The specific facts established during any police or insurers' investigation will be important in determining who, if anyone, may bear liability. Legal advice should be sought as early as possible to understand your position.
How long do I have to make a claim in Scotland?
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to raise a personal injury claim. This limit is strictly applied, and missing it will almost certainly prevent a claim from proceeding. If the injured person is a child, the three-year period begins when they turn 16.
Will I have to go to court?
The majority of personal injury claims in Scotland are resolved through negotiation between solicitors and insurers without the need for a court hearing. However, if liability is disputed or an acceptable settlement cannot be reached, it may be necessary to raise court proceedings. Your solicitor will guide you through each stage of the process and advise on the best course of action.
How much compensation might I receive?
The value of a compensation claim depends on the nature and severity of the injury, the financial losses incurred and the strength of the evidence available. Awards vary considerably from one case to another. A personal injury solicitor can provide a realistic assessment once the facts and medical evidence have been reviewed. Some firms ensure clients keep 100% of their award, with a 0% success fee, rather than deducting up to 20% as others do.
Based on reporting by STV News, 19 September 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.