Based on reporting by BBC News, 10 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to BBC News, a man died following a four-vehicle collision on the A9 near Cromarty Bridge in the Scottish Highlands. The incident is reported to have occurred at around 08:05 on a Friday morning at a location known as Coulnagower, and involved four vehicles: a blue Dacia Sandero, a white Iveco lorry, a blue Volkswagen Scirocco, and a red BMW X6. Police Scotland confirmed that the driver of the Sandero was pronounced dead at the scene.
As reported by BBC News, two other men, understood to be the drivers of the lorry and the Scirocco, were taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment. The road was closed for more than thirteen hours to allow officers to carry out investigations into the full circumstances of the collision.
Police Scotland issued an appeal for witnesses and for anyone with dashcam footage of the vehicles prior to the collision to come forward. A Police Scotland sergeant was quoted as saying that inquiries remain ongoing to establish exactly what happened, and that the thoughts of officers are with the family and friends of the man who died.
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
When a person dies as a result of a road traffic collision in Scotland, their close relatives may have the right to pursue a compensation claim under the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011. This legislation sets out who qualifies as a relative for the purposes of a claim and what categories of loss can be considered.
In incidents of this kind, liability often rests with the driver or drivers whose actions contributed to the collision, and their motor insurers are typically the relevant parties in any civil claim. Where a vehicle is uninsured, the Motor Insurers Bureau may be able to respond to a claim. The outcome of any police investigation and any criminal proceedings may be relevant to a civil claim, but a civil claim can proceed independently and to a different standard of proof.
It is important to understand that reporting an incident to the police, or the existence of an ongoing investigation, does not by itself start or stop the clock on a compensation claim. Relatives who may wish to explore their legal position are not obliged to take immediate action, but they should be aware that time limits do apply.
Time limits
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, a claim arising from a fatal road accident in Scotland must ordinarily be raised within three years. For relatives making a claim under the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011, this three-year period generally runs from the date of the death.
Courts do have a discretion to allow claims outside this period in certain circumstances, but this discretion is applied cautiously and cannot be relied upon. The safest course is to seek legal advice well within the three-year window. There is no pressure to act immediately in the aftermath of a bereavement, and it is entirely reasonable for families to allow time to grieve before considering their legal position, provided the time limit is kept in mind.
What compensation can cover
Under the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011, close relatives of a person who has died as a result of another party's wrongdoing may be entitled to a range of heads of compensation. These include the following.
- Loss of society: This reflects the grief, sorrow and loss of the deceased's companionship and guidance. It is sometimes referred to as solatium in a fatal context and is available to a defined category of close relatives including a spouse or civil partner, children, and parents.
- Loss of support: Where the deceased financially supported family members, those dependants may be entitled to compensation for the income or other financial support they have lost as a result of the death.
- Funeral expenses: Reasonable costs associated with the funeral can form part of a claim.
- Deceased's own losses: Where the deceased survived for a period before dying, any pain and suffering experienced in that time, as well as lost earnings during that period, may also be claimable as part of the estate's claim.
Each case is different, and the value of any claim will depend on the individual circumstances of the family, the age of the deceased, the financial contribution they made, and other factors. A legal adviser will be able to provide a realistic assessment once the full picture is understood. It is worth noting that in Scotland, personal injury and fatal accident claims are typically handled on the basis that fees are not deducted from any compensation recovered.
Frequently asked questions
Who can make a claim after a fatal road accident in Scotland?
Under the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011, close relatives of the deceased are entitled to claim. This includes a spouse or civil partner, children, parents, siblings, and certain other defined relatives. Each qualifying relative may be entitled to damages for loss of society, and dependants may also claim for loss of financial support.
Does a criminal investigation affect a civil compensation claim?
A police investigation or criminal prosecution runs separately from a civil compensation claim. A civil claim can proceed even if no criminal charges are brought, as the standard of proof in civil proceedings is lower. Relatives do not need to wait for any criminal process to conclude before taking legal advice about their position.
How long do relatives have to make a claim?
The Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 sets a three-year time limit, which in fatal cases generally runs from the date of death. While there is no need to act immediately, it is advisable to seek legal advice well within that period, as the court's discretion to extend the limit is applied sparingly.
What if the driver responsible was uninsured?
Where the at-fault driver was uninsured or untraceable, it may be possible to make a claim through the Motor Insurers Bureau. The MIB operates schemes that can provide compensation to victims of uninsured and untraced drivers in certain circumstances, and a legal adviser can assist in making such an application.
Is there any cost to pursuing a fatal accident claim?
In Scotland, fatal accident claims are commonly handled on a basis where fees are not deducted from any compensation that is recovered. The precise funding arrangements will depend on the individual case, and a legal adviser will explain the position clearly at the outset before any commitment is made.
Based on reporting by BBC News, 10 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.