Based on reporting by BBC News, 5 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to BBC News, detectives from Police Scotland are appealing for information following a collision in Dundee in which a young cyclist, aged 12, was struck by a vehicle near the Kingsway Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Station on the A90 Kingsway East. The incident reportedly took place at a pedestrian crossing at around 6pm on a Thursday evening in early October 2026.
As reported by BBC News, the vehicle involved is described as a black Citroen Berlingo-style people carrier, which was travelling south in the second lane of the dual carriageway at the time. Police Scotland said the driver failed to stop after the collision and continued in the direction of Scott Fyffe Roundabout. The boy is understood to have sustained injuries that were not described as serious.
Police Scotland are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have dashcam footage recorded in the area at the relevant time, to come forward. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers, according to the BBC News report.
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
In incidents of this kind, the key legal question is identifying who bears civil liability for the injuries sustained. Where a driver is traced and found to have been responsible for a collision, their motor insurer would ordinarily meet a compensation claim. The injured person does not need to pursue the driver personally.
Hit-and-run incidents present an additional complication, because the driver may remain unidentified. In Scotland, as in the rest of the UK, the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) operates an Untraced Drivers Agreement that allows injured parties to seek compensation even when the responsible driver cannot be found. This is a critical safeguard for cyclists and pedestrians who are struck by drivers who flee the scene.
Where the injured person is a child, a parent or guardian typically brings the claim on their behalf, known in Scots law as acting as a legal representative. Any settlement reached for a child must normally be approved by a court to ensure it genuinely reflects the child's interests.
It is worth noting that at Scotland Claims, clients keep 100% of their compensation. There is a 0% success fee, which contrasts with the approach taken by many Scottish personal injury firms that deduct up to 20% from the damages recovered on a client's behalf.
Time limits
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, the general rule is that a personal injury 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 a claim.
However, where the injured person is a child, this three-year period does not begin to run until their 16th birthday. This means a child injured before they turn 16 has until their 19th birthday to bring a claim in their own right. A legal representative may still bring proceedings on the child's behalf before that point, and in many cases it is sensible to do so while evidence and witness recollections remain fresh.
For claims pursued through the MIB's Untraced Drivers Agreement, separate procedural time limits apply, and these can be shorter. It is important to seek legal advice promptly to ensure no deadlines are missed.
What compensation can cover
A successful personal injury claim in Scotland can include several distinct heads of loss, depending on the circumstances and the evidence available.
- Solatium: This is the element of compensation that reflects pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Even where injuries are not described as severe, a young person may experience significant distress, disruption to daily life and psychological effects following a collision of this nature.
- Loss of earnings: For a child, this is not typically applicable in the immediate term, but in cases of longer-term or permanent injury, future loss of earning capacity can be claimed.
- Care and assistance: If a parent or other family member has had to provide additional care, supervision or support during recovery, the reasonable value of that care can form part of a claim.
- Medical and rehabilitation costs: Expenses for physiotherapy, psychological support, prescription charges or private treatment that was reasonably required can be recovered.
- Travel expenses: The cost of attending medical appointments or treatment sessions related to the injury can be included.
- Equipment and adaptations: Where an injury necessitates specialist equipment, such as a replacement bicycle if it was damaged in the collision, or any mobility aids, these costs may be recoverable.
Compensation amounts are assessed individually. Even where injuries initially appear minor, it is important to obtain a full medical report, as some conditions take time to fully manifest.
Frequently asked questions
Can a child make a compensation claim in Scotland?
Yes. A child who is injured in a road traffic accident in Scotland can pursue a personal injury claim. Until the child is old enough to instruct a solicitor in their own right, a parent or guardian acts as their legal representative. Any settlement agreed on behalf of a child generally requires court approval to ensure the child's interests are properly protected.
What happens if the driver who caused the accident cannot be identified?
Where a driver leaves the scene and cannot be traced, it is still possible to claim compensation in Scotland. The Motor Insurers' Bureau operates the Untraced Drivers Agreement, which provides a route to compensation for victims of hit-and-run incidents. Separate application procedures and time limits apply, so obtaining advice promptly is important.
How long does a child have to make a claim after a road accident in Scotland?
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, the three-year limitation period for a child does not begin until their 16th birthday. This means a claim can be brought any time up to their 19th birthday at the latest. However, pursuing a claim sooner is generally advisable while evidence remains available and medical records are complete.
What evidence is useful in a hit-and-run cycling accident claim?
Useful evidence includes dashcam footage from passing vehicles, CCTV recordings from nearby premises, witness statements, police reports and medical records. Photographs of the scene, the bicycle and any injuries can also assist. In hit-and-run cases, the police investigation itself may produce evidence that supports a civil claim, such as vehicle identification details.
Will I have to go to court to get compensation?
The majority of personal injury claims in Scotland are resolved without a court hearing, through negotiation between solicitors and the relevant insurer or the MIB. Court proceedings may be raised to protect time limits or where liability is disputed, but most cases settle before a full hearing. Claims involving children do require a court approval stage for any settlement, though this is usually straightforward.
Based on reporting by BBC News, 5 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.